Stray cats are used to being autonomous without the need for human care or attention. However, this does not mean that it is not possible to become a friend of theirs. With patience, you can encourage a stray to trust you; start by offering him food and getting him used to your presence and you may soon find yourself with a new playmate.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting Acquainted
Step 1. Determine what type of cat you are dealing with
Before you think about becoming friends with a stray cat, make sure you recognize its type.
- A domestic cat that roams freely has an owner who takes care of it, but who leaves it free to walk around the neighborhood alone. In this case, you shouldn't try to make his friend, because if you start feeding him and let him into the house, he will likely abandon his owner.
- The other cats are stray. Generally, these are specimens that have had an owner in the past, but now he no longer takes care of them or has abandoned them; these cats roam freely, take food and shelter where they can. Some are willing to make friends with you or let them pick you up and take you to some animal shelter.
- Some of them are wild, which means that they have spent their whole life or most of them outdoors and without the care of human beings. Many feral cats are born and raised this way, returning to an almost wild state and prefer to stay away from people; some may even become friends with humans, but it is usually difficult to tame them.
Step 2. Pay attention to the conditions your cat is in
Because he spends time outdoors without regular care, he may be hungry, sick, scared, or injured. Some stray cats are sociable in nature, they can get close, allowing you to grab and examine them; However, if the specimen you are observing runs away or seems frightened, you need to find a way to convince it to stay nearby.
Step 3. Offer him some food
Making him understand that you have food available for him is one of the most effective ways to start building a certain relationship of friendship. Pay attention to where you noticed it and leave some food in that area.
- Strong smelling foods like tuna or canned cat food are great options.
- Always leave food in the same place every day; in this way, the cat gets used to returning and expects to receive special dishes.
- Observe when he approaches the food you have left for him; after a few days, stick around and see if the cat approaches anyway to eat while you stay in sight.
- At first, don't try to stroke or grab it.
Step 4. Come closer
For a few days, just hang around while you eat. Once your presence begins to become more familiar to him, you can try to get in touch with him; move slowly and sit on the ground, so that your appearance seems less threatening. Keep doing this for several days, trying to get closer and closer to food each time.
Part 2 of 3: Getting in Touch
Step 1. Avoid aggressive behaviors
Don't look him in the eye and don't try to grab him the first time you see him. These gestures could be considered a threat on the part of the cat, especially if it is not used to interacting with people; act calmly and slowly, working hard to earn their trust.
Step 2. Pretend you are not interested
If the stray cat begins to feel comfortable enough around you, pretend to ignore it. Let him see you doing some activity he doesn't see as a threat, like reading or gardening. If you are lucky, the cat will observe you and learn that you are not dangerous.
Step 3. Leave some treats on the floor
Once your cat has grown accustomed to leaving him food to eat, you can try leaving some treats on the ground (such as bits of tuna or chicken) all along the path that separates you.
Step 4. Entice the cat to eat from your hand
If it starts to get close, try holding a few tasty treats in your hand. At this point she may feel comfortable enough to be able to eat straight from your hand, but that's not always the case. In any case, never try to pick him up or caress him the first few times; you have to be patient, it takes time, sometimes weeks or even longer, for a stray cat to start trusting people.
You can also let him lick some wet or soft food off your finger
Step 5. Try stroking it
When he gets used to eating from your hand, you can start touching him. As you offer him a tasty treat with one hand, try to gently touch it with the other; if you see him getting scared and walking away, don't try to catch him anymore, wait a little longer and try again later.
If the animal initially does not allow you to touch it, just put your hand close to its body; repeat this technique over and over again, bringing your hand closer and closer to him, until you can touch him
Step 6. Offer him some toys if he doesn't give you physical contact
Some stray cats respond more quickly to games than touch. If you find that the specimen does not like to be touched or picked up, try to stimulate it a little with some toys, such as a laser pointer or an object tied to a stick such as a plush mouse, a feather, a ribbon and so on. Street. If your cat likes to play, even if it doesn't allow itself to be touched or grabbed, it means that it is starting to get used to your presence more and more.
Step 7. Do not touch him if he seems frightened or agitated
Stray or feral cats can instinctively react to defend themselves. If your specimen also behaves this way when you try to touch or approach it, leave it alone and try later. A frightened cat can become aggressive, and if you try to catch it, you only make it lose faith in you. To understand if he is scared or agitated, look if:
- Keeps the tail stiff and pointing upwards;
- The ears are folded back;
- Raise the paws, exposing or not exposing the claws;
- Try to "hit" you with the paws;
- Meows or growls at a low volume;
- Hiss or spit;
- Bristles the hair on the back of the body;
- Arch your back.
Part 3 of 3: Help the Cat
Step 1. Find out if he has a master
If you think the cat has gotten lost and stray, you should try to track down its family of origin.
- If it has a collar or tag, check if it has a name, address or mobile number on it.
- A veterinarian can tell if the pet is microchipped, where the owner's contact information is stored.
- If you can't locate the cat's family, you can also post an ad with the cat's photo in various locations around the neighborhood, at the local animal shelter, or you can post it online, in the hope that the owner is looking for their feline friend.
Step 2. Take the cat with you
If you are trying to take him home, to the vet, or to an animal shelter, you need to put him in a carrier. Once he's used to leaving him food, try this technique:
- Put the pet carrier, with the door open, near the food;
- Put the food near the carrier to attract the cat;
- Bring the food closer to the cage if the cat reacts positively;
- Place the food inside the cage and wait for the animal to enter it to eat;
- When the cat is entirely in the carrier, close the door quickly but gently;
- Carry it carefully to your chosen destination.
Step 3. Take him to the vet
If you decide to adopt a stray cat, you must have it examined by a doctor as soon as possible to make sure it does not have fleas, ticks, worms or other parasites, as well as to check the general state of health and submit it to the necessary vaccinations.
Step 4. Consider catching and releasing it
Many animal rights groups advise and support the practice of capturing stray and feral cats to sterilize and release them later. This is a non-bloody and ethical method of keeping the feline population in check. Ask your vet or animal shelter staff to neuter or spay your cat. then release it outdoors, as soon as it has recovered from convalescence. You may even be able to keep feeding him.
Step 5. Help the pet get used to living in a new home
If you have decided to permanently adopt the cat and allow it to stay in your home, you must be patient and understanding. It is not easy for many cats to return to home after a long time spent in nature.
- Initially, keep it in a quiet room where it cannot be disturbed.
- Make sure she has food, water, a kennel, and litter box.
- During the first few times it may be necessary to put some garden soil in the litter, then use a mixture of soil and sand before moving on to sand alone; in this way, the feline gradually gets used to the consistency.
- Approach the cat regularly. Offer him some tasty treats, talk to him in a quiet tone and try to interact with toys; if he lets you stroke him, but leave him alone if he seems frightened or unapproachable.
- There's a good chance he'll feel comfortable right away and be ready to leave the room to explore the rest of the house. Be patient though, as your cat may wince and hide in various places, scratch furniture or even bump into objects as it gets used to the new environment.
