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Is it possible to get a feral cat to be friendly?

Is it possible to get a feral cat to be friendly?

The answer is frequently yes, but it takes a lot of time and patience. Often, these cats have grown up with no to minimal human contact, and/or are afraid of people because of bad experiences with those who don’t want them around. People who work with feral cats know that socializing these kitties is a process.

What’s the difference between a stray and a feral cat?

They differ from strays, which are cats that were once pets but that have since been abandoned, as well as free-roaming cats, which are usually pets allowed to roam outside (they may also be ownerless cats who have a generous caretaker (common in cities) who provides them with food but not shelter). But feral cats are wild.

Why are feral cats treated as wild animals?

Feral cats must be treated as wild animals, especially because a colony can, through several generations, foster cats that never, ever come in contact with human beings. As unlikely as it might be, if you ever stumble across a colony of cats, it is certain that they are feral. This is the defining characteristics of feral cats.

Can a stray cat be a good pet?

Stray cats have the possibility of becoming pets once again. Feral cats are skittish and fearful of humans and while they may eventually let a caretaker pet it, generally they cannot be picked up, and would make poor indoor pets.

Is there such thing as a feral cat?

A “feral” cat has not been socialized toward humans. The cat was born outdoors and is essentially a wild animal. A feral cat will be very skittish toward humans, and not allow direct contact. Over time, a feral cat may become more comfortable outdoors with the person who is feeding them.

When do feral cats come out of hiding?

Usually, feral cats stay away from human interaction, and they usually go into hiding during the daytime. But, the problem is that at night, they come out, and you may see the cute creature, but then you’ll want to feed it. That can be a problem. Usually, feral cats are quiet, avoid eye contact with humans, and are stealthy.

What to do if you find a feral cat or friendly stray?

Contact the shelter in the county where the cat was found, as well as neighboring counties if they are close by. Provide food, water, and shelter. Email SPCA NOVA at [email protected] to see if we can help. We give priority to friendly stray cats, especially if the cat is sick, malnourished, or injured.

How old do feral kittens have to be to be socialized?

Feral kittens (born outside without human contact) who are over 6 weeks of age are hard to fully socialize, although it’s easier if their mom cat is friendly and trusts people.

What kind of animal is a feral cat?

Feral cats are wild cats existing in nature. They rely on human settlements for food and shelter, but they are still wild animals. Feral animals are usually the offspring of tame domesticated animals that have never been socialized to humans. Not all outdoor cats are feral.

How long does it take to tame a feral cat?

In addition to being a challenge, taming a feral cat can take a lot of time: feral kittens could be tamed in as little as two to six weeks, but it could be a year or more before an adult feral cat is tamed. Acclimating a feral cat to your home and socializing her could require several hours of your time per day, potentially for months on end.

How old do feral cats have to be to be weaned?

Older feral cats who have been feral for a long time will be most difficult to tame, if you can tame them at all. X Research source Feral kittens should not be removed from their mothers until they are ready to be weaned, at approximately 6-8 weeks of age.

Can a feral cat be a friendly cat?

Over time, a feral cat may become more comfortable outdoors with the person who is feeding them. It can be hard to determine initially if a cat is feral (not social with humans) or friendly (social with humans). Even a friendly cat may be skittish at first until the cat learns to trust you.

How long do feral cats live without food?

Although the often-heard claim that these cats live only about two years is supported to some degree by studies of unsterilized cats living without any apparent reliance on food from humans [ 9–11 ].

What are the characteristics of a feral cat?

Usually, feral cats are quiet, avoid eye contact with humans, and are stealthy. But, usually, if they’ve been socialized before and have been around humans, but then are unsocialized, they can act like this. Lots of cats that are rescued do act like this when they’re initially found. So what makes a cat feral ? Well, here are some qualities: