Cats are incredibly dynamic animals. Dogs have been bred over thousands of years to be our companions, but many couldn’t cope on their own. Cats have been bred for our enjoyment too but have kept many of their wild instincts.
Whether through birth, abandonment, or being lost, many cats become feral. With them needing to live in a wild state, are these cats you can befriend, or should you be leaving them alone? Let’s find out.
Understanding Feral Cats
First of all, we’re only talking about feral cats here. Feral cats are those which have lacked the socialization of humans and have reverted back to their wild state. These are cats which were either born in the wild or have no memory of contact with people.
This is a big difference from strays. Strays are cats which were socialized with humans but have since become lost or abandoned. It’s important to know this difference before deciding whether to interact with one.
Despite associations with the name, feral cats are usually well fed, groomed and muscular, and don’t show signs of kitty anxiety. This is because they know how to survive on their own. Strays are usually skinnier and have a more disheveled appearance as it may be too stressed to worry about grooming.
What You Should Do If You Find a Stray Cat?
We appreciate some may have clicked on this article wondering if they should interact with a stray, so let’s clear that up. Strays should be approached with caution as they may be injured or fearful, but they likely need help.
Strays can adapt to survive in the wild, but it can take time. If they have a scruffy appearance and are a little social, they could well be a stray. Ideally, you want to take it to a vet to check for a microchip if it doesn’t have a collar with information. If the owner can’t be found that way, posting on social media is a great idea.
If no owner can be found, the best options are usually to either adopt the cat yourself or see if an animal shelter can take it. Remember that if you see a well-fed and well-groomed at, it’s most likely either feral or a domesticated outdoor car. Either way, they should be left alone.
Should You Approach a Feral Cat?
For the rest of this article, we’ll be solely talking about feral cats and whether or not it’s a good idea to interact with them. It’s important to note that a feral cat will not attack you unless you approach it too quickly.
However, they are wild animals and may attack if you try to pick them up or pet them. One of the reasons for the myth of cats having nine lives is they are survival experts. This includes not trusting other large animals, such as humans, who want to touch them.
Respect their boundaries and don’t force interaction. Earning the trust of a feral cat can take a long time and you should be patient. Feral cats will likely react violently to being picked up out of pure fear, as they have no idea of your intentions.
How to Help Feral Cats Responsibly
There is usually no issue with helping out a feral cat, but you should do this without direct interaction. The best way to aid a feral cat is to provide them with food and water in a safe and quiet area. They’ll feel secure and learn to trust your gesture.
Consistency is essential here if you want a strong connection. Cats tend to develop routines, and this can quicken up the trust process. Giving them a small and insulated shelter can also be a great idea.
This shouldn’t be in your home, but even creating an outside bed with blankets can help them. You can add a hot water bottle or something similar on bitterly cold nights. Make sure the entrance is just large enough for cats but not other animals.
Can Feral Cats Be Socialized?
Don’t expect them to be. It’s best to have the mindset of it being unlikely and accept friendship from the feral cat if and when it happens. Not only do cats have different experiences, but personalities too.
If a cat is old, anxious, and has negative/no human experiences, socialization is extremely difficult. Even if the cat can be socialized, it’s best to think of it as an outdoor friend rather than something that should ever be kept in your home.
Kittens are different as there is a much better chance of socializing with them, especially if under eight weeks old. This can still come with challenges and it’s best to get experienced help if you are unsure.
Understanding Feral Cat Behavior
Once they become/are born feral, the cat is essentially a wild animal. It’s likely to be set in its ways and getting them to adjust to indoor life can be impossible. Not only that, but it may also have a colony that it’s used to staying in.
These are cats who are used to fighting and killing for survival. It’s not a huge stretch to assimilate this to trying to domesticate an adult lion or tiger. Unless you’ve had that connection from a young age, trust is extremely difficult to build.
While they may enjoy your interaction and offerings, they are still likely happiest outdoors and with their colony. Bonding with humans is the exception and not the rule. These are wild animals and should stay that way.
Respect Their Feral Nature
Embrace their feral nature. Cats are amazing creatures and while they have the ability to adapt from outdoors to indoors (and vice versa), this shouldn’t be forced upon them. Providing outdoor support and not encroaching on their freedom is almost always the best approach.
Remember, it’s important to put their needs above yours. Many people think they can “rescue” a cat, not realizing the cat in question doesn’t need saving at all. Feral cats are expert hunters and devilishly clever. Remember they’ve thrived this long without your help.
They don’t need your help to survive, but easy food and a warm bed can still be appreciated. They should be treated the same as other animals such as birds, squirrels, and hedgehogs. Making their life easier is nice. Trying to domesticate a wild animal isn’t.
