Taming a feral cat can be a long, drawn out affair, but if you manage to succeed, it is a venture worth the work. A feral cat that learns to be tame can be a wonderful pet if given time and shown patience. Knowing how to tame a feral cat takes a little research, but by learning the process of how to go about it, the job can be a little easier and less frustrating for both the cat and the owner.
What is a Feral cat?
Many people get a feral cat confused with an abandoned or stray cat. They are two different things. A lost or abandoned cat has usually had some type of contact with humans, even if it was not a loving or healthy type of contact. Feral cats are the exact opposite. These cats have never been handled by humans. They’ve never known how it feels to be petted and/or scratched behind the ears. They’ve never learned that some humans can be trusted. Although some feral cats can never be tamed, that is not true for all of them, especially young kittens. Feral kittens are born to mother feral cats, and the generations have kept multiplying until at last count, the Humane Society believes that there may well be over fifty thousand of them in the United States.
Semi-Feral Cats and Kittens:
Some cats are called “semi-feral” because they have had some contact with humans. This information can come in handy if you are trying to learn how to tame a feral cat. It may be that the kitten was born in a neighborhood where many homes are close together, so they have adjusted to at least hearing the human voice. They may see people going to and from their houses, and be more comfortable with the every day noises of a home. This type of feral cat may prove to be somewhat easier to tame. The younger a cat is, the easier it will be to tame and make it a pet.
First Step in Taming a Feral Cat:
The first and most important detail in knowing how to tame a feral cat is to never try to touch the animal in the beginning. Keep in mind that it may take as little as a week to tame a very young feral kitten, but months or even years to tame an older cat. Patience is the number one rule. No matter how hard you try or how much you long to help the cat or kitten, it is going to take some time for the cat to be able to trust you, even slightly.
Begin by setting a cat crate, the top being covered with a towel or small blanket, somewhere in your yard where you have noticed the cat or kitten, away from the noisiest areas of the house. Set some food out near the crate, preferably canned, as it has a stronger, more appealing odor. Most feral cats can’t resist checking out a can of cat food that has the delicious aroma of tuna or salmon. For the first few days, leave the food near the crate or cage and go back inside so the cat can’t see you. After a few days, place the can nearer to the opening of the crate. Again, wait a few days. Eventually set the can of food inside the crate with the door facing away from the direction you will be coming out of the house. If the cat goes inside the cage, quietly approach it and shut the crate door. If you fail to get it closed on the first few attempts, don’t give up. Feral cats are fast and have heightened senses to danger, noises, etc.
What to Do Once You Have the Cat Inside the Crate:
Once you have the cat enclosed in the crate you will need to take it inside to the room you plan to tame it in, which should be a very quiet room that is escape proof. This is very important in attempting to tame a feral cat. Have a cat cage that is large enough to house the cat comfortably, along with a litter box, food bowls and a thick blanket or towel for the cat to lay on. Carefully transfer the cat to the cage by butting the doors together as closely as possible. Cover the cat cage with a blanket and leave the room. You may hear loud meowing, hissing and even screeching. This is normal because the cat will be extremely scared.
The Process of Taming:
When you go into the room where the cat is being housed, always talk to it in a soft, gentle tone of voice. Never try to reach your hand into the cage to pet the cat, change the litter, or to feed and water the cat, without using thick gloves. As each day passes, continue to talk with the cat. When it seems it has gotten used to the room, leave the cage door open and leave the area. Re-enter after an hour or so, making sure you step and speak softly. Don’t look directly at the cat. Set the food on the outside of the cage. Repeat this until the cat no longer runs from you. Eventually it will, “hopefully”, grow to trust you and even allow you to stroke its back lightly.
Conclusion:
Taming a feral cat takes an abundance of time and patience. In some cases, it simply won’t work, and it is kinder to have the cat spayed or neutered, get its vaccinations, then set it free in its original area. If you can manage to gain the animal’s trust, you may end up with a very loyal friend for many years.
Reference:
Personal Experience