Do you see a feral cat wandering outside your house, or do you want to adopt your local street cat but question whether it can be a pet? The answer is yes. A feral cat can become a house pet with the proper treatment and love. However, certain conditions are attached to it.
At first glance, you would not be able to spot a difference between feral and domestic cats. But feral cats are generally wild and not used to people. They prefer to live solitary lives and are usually weary of strangers approaching them. Thus, they need a certain amount of socialization before you can fully incorporate them into your house along with your other pets, children, or family members.
In this article, we will discuss how a feral cat becomes a house pet.
Adopting A Feral Cat
Any animal bigger than a cat in the wild will be seen as a threat and a potential predator. It includes you. The secret to successfully domesticating any feral cat is to play a long-drawn process and engage in constructive engagement. The cat will defend its life if you try to trap it. You risk the cat hurting itself if you try too hard to catch it. In any case, you will be back where you started with the cat’s utter mistrust of people.
Thus, try to follow the steps below when you are adopting a feral cat.
1. Take The First Step
It would help if you allowed your feral cat to familiarize himself with your surroundings. Most people say it is the first step towards making a wild cat into a house pet. Try to rub your hands against your cat’s face and check if it is okay with this action. Slowly, it can get accustomed to you and become your dear friend.
2. Check The Cat’s Health
Feral cats are wild and live among dirt and ticks. Hence, when you adopt them, they might have specific medical issues. An initial amount of expenses would go to treat them properly. Whenever you adopt a feral cat, take them to the vet first and check the health issues that need to be addressed. If you already have one or more pet cats, you must test a feral cat for FeLV, FIV, and worms. If they also have fleas, get rid of them before letting the cat into your house. Otherwise, you will face problems.
3. Introduce The Cat Gradually
After you bring your feral cat home from the vet, do not try to leave them alone. The environment, sounds, and smells are new, and they might have difficulty adjusting to it. If you already have a pet, you should introduce them slowly. However, ensure you do not overwhelm your cat first. Try to allow the pets to see each other for extended periods and induce interaction with them. It might be challenging at first. But over time, your feral cat would get accustomed to it.
4. Feed The Cat
One of the crucial ways to create a place in a pet’s heart is by feeding them. Try to make a specific sound whenever you feed your feral cat. It will teach them to know when to expect food. If it is a small wild cat, you can provide it with a small portion of food twice a day. To make a habit, try to put the food down, walk away, and ensure the cat finishes the food.
5. Understand The Cat’s Body Language
Feral cats are wild animals and may not be accustomed to human petting. So, try to pet it when it is relaxed, but not when it is eating. Do not touch its head first, as it might scare them. If the cat feels nervous, pull your hand back and wait a few days before petting it again. It would help if you made sure the cat decided to come into your house independently. As the cat enters and starts to investigate, move the food closer and closer to the doorway. Ensure peace in the home.
6. Create A Safe Space
Before you bring your feral cat home, you must create a safe space for them. This area must be only used by the person responsible for taming the cat. Try to train them slowly. First, integrate them into your home and continue a feeding time. Regarding the litter, do not stress if your cat has an accident. Try to move the box over the spot they used and arrange their litter spot accordingly.
How To Keep An Adopted Feral Cat Active And Playful?
Playing with a feral cat helps to create a stronger bond with them.
The following are some of the toys and supplies you can arrange for giving playtime with your cat.
Cat Entertainment Items |
Uses For Cats |
Cat Toys |
It is an excellent idea to have a few cat toys and mentally and physically energize your pet with them. You can try cat toys like feather wands, interactive laser pointers, and even fake mice. You can build a strong bond with a feral cat by playing with toys. |
Cat Scratchers |
While some cats prefer to scratch vertically, others prefer to scratch their backs horizontally. You can purchase a couple of cat scratchers to determine which your new cat enjoys. A tall cat tree is another option that provides both choices and gives your cat a secure, elevated place to rest. |
Catnip |
Catnip helps cats be calm and is quite appealing to them. So, bring home some catnip when you adopt a feral cat. |
Calming Aids |
You can bring some natural cat-calming products by consulting your vet. Cat pheromones and diffusers work well for this. |
Maybe the cat won’t be interested in playing initially. However, with little persistence, you will slowly see the feral cat getting accustomed to you. You can try the Yeowww! Cat Catnip with them, as they are fresh and one of the best playful treats for cats.
Summing Up
Adopting a feral cat is a joyful but tedious procedure. However, follow these steps when you are domesticating it. Ensure that you remain patient with your felines. They will undoubtedly become your faithful companions.
