Feral Cat. Can He Be Tamed?

[lockiedox]

Hi guys,
A month ago we found a feral cat who was completly covered in mange and had eaten half his tail off.

We managed to trap him and get him to the vet so we had him neutered, half his tail removed and his mange treated.

He hads been confined to a big crate while he got better and now his hair is finally growing back.

My problem is i can feed him no problem but if u go anyway close to him he will immediatly attack. Does anyone have any advice on how to tame him? I know he will never be a lap cat but if i can get him to the point where he can wander freely around the house without attacking people i would be thrilled.

Any advice?

 

[ArtNJ]

I've never tamed a true feral AFAIK (pretty sure mine was a stray), but as far as I've read, the procedure is simple. Just sit as close as he'll tolerate, and encourage him to come a small part of the way by putting the food down and waiting. For example, put the food a foot away from his safe zone while you are sitting quitely 10 feet away. Gradually, over several sessions, try to get slightly closer each time. You can eventually toss treats part of the way, perhaps. From what I've read, this is not guaranteed to work per se, every feral is different, but should likely work with perhaps great patience required.

 

[lockiedox]

Thanks a million.
Were going to get toys on a long string today as ive read play for a couple of minutes a day can help.

Ive just been feeding him close to him but never coax him out so i will certainly try that.

Thank you

 

[talkingpeanut]

I would be careful about letting him out if he's aggressive. Make sure you can contain him in one room, if you do decide to move ahead. You won't be able to get him back in the crate.

 

[maggiedemi]

I was able to tame my ferals by petting them with a long handled duster. My female is still a little mean, but my male cat is quite friendly. They are terrified of all strangers though, I don't think that will ever change. It helps to have a feeding schedule too and use the same word, like "Dinner" for every meal, or "Treat" for treats. My cats know several words.

 

[kittens mom]

Yes but I equate the feral, real feral cats I've socialized like wild born horses. You can tame them but they attach to certain humans and don't generally extend that trust to any strangers.
M maggiedemi gave you the best advice. Real ferals will attack if cornered. I do think that thousands of years of domestication do play in the background. The rule is the cat must pet your first. In other words willing walk into you hand hanging passively at your side. Even if they rub do not , do not pet them. That comes with time and a lot of patience.
Than you for taking him in and helping him.

 

[orange&white]

From what I've read, some feral cats cannot ever be tamed. They've just learned not to trust humans.

I've trapped 3 this year. I adopted the first one (4 month kitten). She's turned into a very sweet domestic cat. The second, a tiny 5 week old abandoned kitten...he was easy to socialize over three weeks, then he went to the shelter for neuter and was almost immediately adopted.

The third one. She was pregnant and had babies in the shelter. They kept her nursing 6 weeks, plus 3 weeks for her milk to dry up and then spay. She was deemed too wild to foster, socialize or adopt since she was untrusting and very willing to attack anyone who approached. I released her back outside after confining her about a day and a half to make sure her spay surgery was fine. She used to hang out in my backyard every day before trapping, but I've only seen her once since releasing her. I had hoped to work with her outside, but it looks like that won't happen.

I don't want to burst your bubble because it is entirely possible that you can tame your feral, but just set reasonable expectations. Your mileage may vary. Bless your heart for trying!

 

[kittens mom]

From what I've read, some feral cats cannot ever be tamed. They've just learned not to trust humans.

I've trapped 3 this year. I adopted the first one (4 month kitten). She's turned into a very sweet domestic cat. The second, a tiny 5 week old abandoned kitten...he was easy to socialize over three weeks, then he went to the shelter for neuter and was almost immediately adopted.

The third one. She was pregnant and had babies in the shelter. They kept her nursing 6 weeks, plus 3 weeks for her milk to dry up and then spay. She was deemed too wild to foster, socialize or adopt since she was untrusting and very willing to attack anyone who approached. I released her back outside after confining her about a day and a half to make sure her spay surgery was fine. She used to hang out in my backyard every day before trapping, but I've only seen her once since releasing her. I had hoped to work with her outside, but it looks like that won't happen.

I don't want to burst your bubble because it is entirely possible that you can tame your feral, but just set reasonable expectations. Your mileage may vary. Bless your heart for trying!

Very well put. Feral cats are not usually deemed adoptable under any circumstances. Even if the acclimate to you it may not be the loving relationship you're looking for in a pet. Many people confuse taming a feral for re-socializing a stray. It's something I would never try in my own home unless I had no other pets and never had small children around.

 

[maggiedemi]

I hope you come back and tell us how it's going with your feral. Mine are totally a part of the family now. But they do bite and scratch if they don't want to be petted or picked up. I haven't been able to train them not to do this yet, so I would never let children near them. My Demi is terrified of strangers, but he loves other cats, which I guess is unusual for a feral.

 

[susanm9006]

My girl is a semi feral but her coping mechanism was and is to hide. What I had to do most of the time during her first couple years with me was to ignore her. Put out her food, put out her water and just let her be. I couldn't even look in her direction without her taking off on a run, so I didn't. You wait it out, definitely don't get in his space until he seems ready for attention. He isn't attacking out of anger, he is attacking out of fear. When that diminishes he may be more social than he seems now.

 

[kittens mom]

My girl is a semi feral but her coping mechanism was and is to hide. What I had to do most of the time during her first couple years with me was to ignore her. Put out her food, put out her water and just let her be. I couldn't even look in her direction without her taking off on a run, so I didn't. You wait it out, definitely don't get in his space until he seems ready for attention. He isn't attacking out of anger, he is attacking out of fear. When that diminishes he may be more social than he seems now.

Yes it's a long term commitment.

 

[1CatOverTheLine]

.
Truly feral cats - cats born in the wild, to Parents born in the wild - and generations lived outside, will never be tame because their survival instincts won't allow that. Despite this, a feral cat will become your Friend, if you're willing to take the time, and if you're willing to Love them as cats Love - without condition, and without the presumption of reciprocation.

White Tip was one of the three wildest ferals I've ever known, and was simply unapproachable under any circumstances when I first saw her in the woods behind the house. Despite this, she would eat ravenously when food and fresh water was put out for her, and I always spoke to her outside, dubbing her "White Tip" from the start. As the months passed, she'd look up at me when I greeted her by name, and a year into out standoff relationship, she gave birth to Oz, her single black kitten. That Autumn, she grew a bit bolder, and I resolved to bring her into one of the (heated) outbuildings for the Winter. After a year outside, and a year inside with her Son, the unapproachable, untouchable kitty joined the other six cats in the main house, and now, nearly five years after our first meeting, she's here on my lap as I type this, with Oz sitting on the desk beside me.

My most recent - and last - two ferals, Friday and Clawed-Ya were equally wild 23 months ago when they came into their newly finished home. Clawed-Ya, Friday's Daughter, is still a bit wary, although she adores being petted as long as she's not being picked up. Friday will leap directly into my lap, place her front paws on my shoulders, and rub her face against mine with absolute abandon. In a few months' time, they'll come into the main house as well, and I've no doubt that their Family will help them adjust just as they did with White Tip and Oz.

Like the old song says, "the secret of Life is that there ain't no secret." Are they, "tame?" Probably not, but they can be held, cuddled and tummy-rubbed just like, "regular cats," and so they give the impression that they're tame. The truth is that they're just Friends - and they're that because someone offered to be their Friend first.

Did it happen overnight? No - it happened over the course of years... but it happened. Years - that's the bad news. The good news is that when they finally understand that they're Loved, and that Love conquers all, they will Love you as no Human ever would, or could ever hope to. Cats don't lie, they don't cheat, they don't steal, and their integrity isn't for sale at any price. They live their Lives on their own terms, and nothing you can do will change that - they have to change that by themselves... but when they do make that decision, and make themselves a part of your Life, you will have before you that, 'monument more enduring than bronze' alluded to by Horace so long ago.

Advice: Love him and be his Friend. The secret of Life truly is that there ain't no secret.
.

 

[kittens mom]

.
Truly feral cats - cats born in the wild, to Parents born in the wild - and generations lived outside, will never be tame because their survival instincts won't allow that. Despite this, a feral cat will become your Friend, if you're willing to take the time, and if you're willing to Love them as cats Love - without condition, and without the presumption of reciprocation.

White Tip was one of the three wildest ferals I've ever known, and was simply unapproachable under any circumstances when I first saw her in the woods behind the house. Despite this, she would eat ravenously when food and fresh water was put out for her, and I always spoke to her outside, dubbing her "White Tip" from the start. As the months passed, she'd look up at me when I greeted her by name, and a year into out standoff relationship, she gave birth to Oz, her single black kitten. That Autumn, she grew a bit bolder, and I resolved to bring her into one of the (heated) outbuildings for the Winter. After a year outside, and a year inside with her Son, the unapproachable, untouchable kitty joined the other six cats in the main house, and now, nearly five years after our first meeting, she's here on my lap as I type this, with Oz sitting on the desk beside me.

My most recent - and last - two ferals, Friday and Clawed-Ya were equally wild 23 months ago when they came into their newly finished home. Clawed-Ya, Friday's Daughter, is still a bit wary, although she adores being petted as long as she's not being picked up. Friday will leap directly into my lap, place her front paws on my shoulders, and rub her face against mine with absolute abandon. In a few months' time, they'll come into the main house as well, and I've no doubt that their Family will help them adjust just as they did with White Tip and Oz.

Like the old song says, "the secret of Life is that there ain't no secret." Are they, "tame?" Probably not, but they can be held, cuddled and tummy-rubbed just like, "regular cats," and so they give the impression that they're tame. The truth is that they're just Friends - and they're that because someone offered to be their Friend first.

Did it happen overnight? No - it happened over the course of years... but it happened. Years - that's the bad news. The good news is that when they finally understand that they're Loved, and that Love conquers all, they will Love you as no Human ever would, or could ever hope to. Cats don't lie, they don't cheat, they don't steal, and their integrity isn't for sale at any price. They live their Lives on their own terms, and nothing you can do will change that - they have to change that by themselves... but when they do make that decision, and make themselves a part of your Life, you will have before you that, 'monument more enduring than bronze' alluded to by Horace so long ago.

Advice: Love him and be his Friend. The secret of Life truly is that there ain't no secret.

.

So beautifully put. My relationship with the true feral cats was completely different than my house fluffies. I really didn't know much about cats at the time and that may have been the saving grace. I had no desire to hold, pet but rather came to enjoy them just being around. Only later did I offer food. They kept the mice out of the feed bins and were often in the stalls with the horses. One mama after getting used to me over time brought her kittens out to me I socialized and found them homes. Long before there was any TNR or even low cost S/N.

 

[StefanZ]

A wonderful tread, with many wise experiences and wise words. Double interesting as here are also some other persons than those whom otherwise are active in our Feral and Strays forum.

I want to add some advices.

Use your voice much, and other friendly sounds. This is a natural language for cats; compare for example friendly toms courting, - with dominant territorial toms.... Moms do talks with their kittens too.

DONT set on talking radio on "to get him used to human voices". This tip may work with cats whom have landed and now feels pretty safe and comfortable, but doesnt works with ferale, shy or afraid cats. They just get stressed.

But calming, relaxing music on may work, so it may be worth a try. So if you put radio on, be sure its calm music on. Classical harp music is said to be the best for shy ferales, but experience shows almost any calming, relaxing music may do - its in part individual.

Feliway diffuser may help. Its not necessary, most fosterers dont use it, but still - cant hurt, may help.

Prayers? Most rescuers arent religious, but if you do believe - why, do it. If nothing else, it will strenghen your own will, your courage....

When the time comes for you to begin to touch him, use a wooden spoon instead of your hand. Its not as scary for them, and the risk of you being bitten is much lesser IF he does bite.
Why wooden? Wood feels warm and almost soft. And why a spoon? Because a spoon is rounded and nicely polished. Otherwise some other wooden thing may do.

 

[elliesvictim]

I spent for months working with a feral cat to try and bring her inside. She would meet me down stairs for food and would often come and sit near me. At one stage she followed me upstairs and would sometimes "call out" for company.
What I learnt is you have to be very very patient and go very very slowly. They can be socialised but largely it has to be their choice.
With the cat you've bought inside, largely leave them alone. No eye contact, no talking, no touching and no interaction until the cat realises you're not a threat. When they come to you and engage you then you can tentatively begin working with them.
Also hands freak feral cats out. The cat I worked with was terrified of them. The cat used to have a best mate who was a stray. I remember patting the stray and the feral cat paced around looking on amazed that the stray let me pat him. It was hilarious.
There are a lot of article on feral cats if you google and read up. Good luck.

 

[kittens mom]

E elliesvictim YES our housecats are used to being petted, picked up and generally mauled. Hands pet them and feed them and cuddle. For a feral cat being caught means death.

 

[1CatOverTheLine]

Prayers? Most rescuers arent religious, but if you do believe - why, do it. If nothing else, it will strenghen your own will, your courage....

There's some wonderful encouragement and advice in this thread, but this might just be the single best piece of advice ever offered.
.

 

[susanm9006]

My Willow is now seven and has lived with me since she was one. During the day she will occasionally lay down beside me and let me pet her for a minute or two but at night she is relaxed and sleeps along side of me. She follows me from room to room , and spends hours just staring at me. She rarely does anything naughty and the word "no" stops her in her tracks.

But the world is still a scary place for her. She is still very fearful of hands or heads coming towards her. She is fearful of being fed and everyday has to hide for a while after she is given her breakfast kibble. She will accept a treat if she has been begging (staring at me), but an unsolicited treat will send her to the basement for hours. Anything new coming into the the house is a dangerous object and must be hidden from and Christmas time stresses her because she is afraid of the wrapped packages. Any fast movement or fast walking in the house sends her into hiding. Any loud noises outside sends her into hiding. And on some days she goes into a panic over nothing we can figure out and she needs to spend the day hiding. We have soft beds and cleared shelves for her in every closet and several "caves" in the basement and we just wait for her to calm herself. Then she is back upstairs as if nothing had happened.

She does still continue to make progress but as others have said with ferals it is slow and incremental but I enjoy and love her as she is.

 

[1CatOverTheLine]

.
Just for fun, here's White Tip, taken a few minutes ago. As you can see, she's incredibly wild and still completely feral. She almost opened one eye when the flash went off for the fifth or sixth time.

There are no feral cats; there are only cats who have not yet been transformed by Love.
.

 

[theyremine]

My Rascal was supposed to be TNR'ed by the rescue I volunteer for, but he was too sick to be released immediately. By the time he came to me, he had learned if he attacked the person bringing him food, they would just put the food down and leave. My vet came up with an oral med plan so he didn't have to be caught to be medicated which helped tremendously. Still, I endured many scratches (luckily he didn't bite). Today, (3 years+) he is the biggest love bug and loves to cuddle. However, he is bonded only to me. So... I think with time and love your feral will come to trust and love you, but I don't know of anyone who has a former feral who is socialized to people outside the household. Good luck!