How to Calm a Feral Cat: 5 Vet-Reviewed Tips & Tricks

VET APPROVED

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Maja Platisa

Veterinarian, DVM MRCVS

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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A feral cat is a cat that reverted to their wild side and has never lived amongst people. This is different from stray cats that have been abandoned or lost to their original owner and have reverted to a life of roaming. Stray cats once lived with people and can often be re-socialized, while feral cats were born to a stray or feral mother and will generally not allow close contact with people. Feral cats are very skittish around people, so it’s important to remember that they should only be handled with extreme caution and adequate training, if at all. Some very young feral kittens may be socialized and adopted in certain cases, though, and there are many organizations that work to help feral cats in need.

Do feral cats make good pets? Generally, no, as they have not been socialized with people, and the mere presence of people makes them scared and anxious. Young feral kittens may accept people if socialization is started early on, though interacting with them might not be easy and will take time. Often, truly feral cats will not allow you to get close to them, much less touch them. A feral cat might even run away if you make eye contact with them! It may not be possible to calm a genuinely feral cat, but in many cases, these are actually strays that have had previous experiences with people. This article describes whether it’s possible to calm a feral cat that has never been around people, and how to approach calming stray cats.

The 5 Tips to Calm Down a Stray Cat

Disclaimer: Please note that truly feral cats can rarely be tamed or even approached, as they’ve had no previous experience with people. Do not try to catch or handle a feral cat, as you are likely to get injured or injure the cat in the process. Many cats found roaming on the streets are actually stray cats that have been lost or abandoned and may take more easily to being re-socialized and rehomed. Make sure any cat you take in is scanned for a microchip, in case it’s someone’s lost pet. Familiarize yourself with the local rules and legislation, as feeding feral and stray cats may be prohibited in some areas.

1. Let the Cat Take the Initiative

You will only scare the cat if you try to exert pressure on them. Give the cat some time to get used to you. You should talk to them in a calm and positive manner when they come close to you, using a soft voice to reassure them that they’re safe.

2. Encourage Interaction With Treats and Toys

The cat should be rewarded with treats once they come near you without running away. Be calm, keep your voice down, and make all your movements slow and composed. By providing a tasty treat like a piece of chicken to the cat, you can begin earning the cat’s trust. If the cat is comfortable with you and wants to hang out with you, they will come closer to you at this point. You may be able to just sit next to the cat, or the cat could wander around nearby.

3. Get the Cat Used to Being Around People

Human conversation, music, sudden movement, doors opening, and closing, and other noises and disturbances can scare both stray and feral cats. It takes mindfulness and care to help a stray cat become re-accustomed to all the racket humans make. The best time to introduce a cat to human activities is during their mealtime.

Do some slow and deliberate tasks while the cat is busy eating to get them used to your movements and sounds. They will be motivated by the food so their stress tolerance will go up, but only slightly. Keeping calm and somewhat quiet will prevent the cat from taking off and never returning.

4. Provide a Safe Place for the Cat

Upon becoming familiar with your new pet, you should make them a cozy and safe place to rest. There are a variety of ways in which you can arrange the space, from an open-air shed to a warm patio cat bed. All it takes is making sure that the space you create for the cat is welcoming and warm as well as secluded from prying eyes and noise so that they can feel comfortable and safe.

5. Get to Know the Cat

Once the cat has settled in their new space, spend some time with them. Do not force any interactions whatsoever and let the cat choose the pace at which they want to approach you. Wear long-sleeve shirts, pants, and shoes. Spend time with the cat at the same time every day and don’t get too close. You should also avoid eye contact so they won’t feel threatened.

Spend as much time with the cat as you can to get them used to you. Once they feel comfortable around you, you can start playing with them if that’s something they show interest in. Get the cat some cat toys like a toy mouse or stuffed animal and slowly introduce the toy so the cat knows it’s not a threat. Playing with the toy may encourage the cat to interact with you, and make sure you follow with treats.

How Are Feral Cats and Socialized Cats Different?

Domestic cats that are socialized, both owned and stray, are generally comfortable around people, based on their individual experiences. Feral cats are not domesticated because they have little to no contact with humans and are basically wild. They will do their best to stay well away from people and can form colonies around a food source.

Stray cats have lived among people before getting lost or being abandoned, but they can be re-socialized and rehomed in most cases, while feral cats often can’t. Only very young feral kittens could be socialized in some cases, and may be suitable for adoption.

The Signs of Aggressive or Scared Cats

One way to determine whether a cat is feeling aggressive or scared is to look at their body language. Aggressive cats will often have their backs arched and their tails held high, while scared cats may tuck their tails between their legs and lower their heads. Cats may also exhibit certain behaviors when they’re feeling aggressive or scared. Aggressive cats may hiss, spit, or growl, while scared cats may meow loudly or hide under furniture.Their pupils will be dilated, and their hackles could be raised if they are anticipating a threat.

Can a Feral and a Stray Cat Adjust?

There is no one answer to this question, as both feral and stray cats vary in their ability or willingness to adjust to living within human society. Some may take weeks or months to get used to being around people while feral cats are unlikely to ever come too close or allow being handled, and will prefer to live on their own. They will still take advantage of a food source that is provided to them if it’s in a safe and calm location.

Factors such as how long the cat has been living as a stray, whether they’ve had a home before, how many negative experiences they have had with humans, and their personality can all play a role in how well they adjust.

Can a Feral Cat Become a House Cat?

It is very unlikely that a feral cat can become a house cat. Feral cats are typically unaccustomed to humans and are quite fearful of them. However, skittish stray cats that have had previous experiences with humans, through consistent positive interaction with people, may be able to learn to trust humans again and eventually become house cats.

Signs a Stray or Feral Cat Trusts You

The behavior of stray and feral cats can vary greatly from one cat to the next. However, there are some general signs that a cat may be starting to trust you, such as coming closer when you offer them food or water and not running off. In some cases, a very friendly stray cat may even allow you to pet them, although this should not be attempted without knowing and being around the cat for a long time, as they may get scared, scratch or bite. In case of friendly and forthcoming stray cats, it’s important to get them seen by a vet and checked for a microchip, as this could be someone’s beloved pet.\

When Is It Too Late to Tame a Feral Cat?

The answer to this question depends on the individual situation, and whether the cat is truly feral, or if they are actually a stray that has been previously socialized with people. In most cases of genuinely feral cats, unless they are a very young kitten, taming and socializing them is not possible or may take a very long time and have a negative impact on the cat’s wellbeing, as it will cause them stress and fear. Many stray cats can be re-socialized with consistent approaches, patience, and time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are some ways to calm a stray cat, based on their temperament and previous experiences, while feral cats are truly wild and will not approach people in the first place. Offering a visiting cat food and water, getting them used to your presence, and speaking softly to them can all help to ease their anxiety. If the cat is fearful and unsure, it may be necessary to back off and try again later. By following these tips, you can help to make the stray cat feel more comfortable and reduce their stress levels. However, it’s important to first check your local rules and legislation about feeding unowned cats, and contact a local animal shelter, vet’s office or rescue organization, as the cat you are feeding may be someone’s lost pet.

Featured Image Credit: katamount, Shutterstock