Q&A for How to Tame a Feral Cat

You'll need to be patient and move at the cat's pace. I would start by putting them in a single room with everything they need, including toys, food, water, and a litter box. Learn to read the cat's body language, and only attempt to approach them when they're relaxed. If you respect the cat and their space, they'll quickly learn that you're a friend and not an enemy.

It's likely she will chose her own shelter but by offering a safe option she may decide to use it. Try a plastic crate laid on its side and if you can, improvise protection at the front so she feels protected. Locate the crate in a quiet corner away from other animals and traffic, perhaps concealed behind trees or bushes. Also, try to face the entrance out of the wind and rain so that it doesn't blow in. Avoid using newspaper or towels as bedding, as these easily become saturated if water does get in. A deep bed of good quality straw is warm and provides some drainage if the weather gets in. If you can, also provide a separate box for food and water, placed close by. This allows you to add more food but without disturbing the nest. Best of luck to you and your feral fur friend.

It is an unfortunate fact the entire male cats will spray urine in order to mark their territory. It's a back-handed compliment I'm afraid, as he obviously sees your home as worth marking as his. Neutering will help but you also need to clean away any lingering odor (using an ammonia-free cleaning product) so that he is not drawn back to the same spot to mark it again.

It's a matter of "if" a feral cat can be tamed, rather than "when." All cats are individuals so an occasional feral may learn to trust people, but this is likely to take months to years, rather than days to weeks.

Sadly, it's the exception rather than the rule, that a feral cat is tamed. This goes back to a lack of socialization as a kitten. The youngster grows up having learned to keep a distance from people as they are a potential threat. This early learning is extremely difficult to overcome.

A truly feral cat (rather than a stray) is unlikely to make a good house pet. They lack the basic exposure to humans during the crucial socialization period. This means the cat is life-long hard-wired to be distrustful of people, and do whatever it takes to avoid being close to them.

You can tame feral cats of any age if you have the time and patience. Gaining their trust is the hardest thing. Feral cats come with many problems. It is a long, hard road taming them. However, if you are a true cat lover, you will put up with all the problems they bring because once you have tamed them, they are the most loving, affectionate animals you could ever hope for.

Yes, purring and kneading behavior tells you that your feral cat is contented and happy.

Once a cat is 8 weeks old, it is okay to take it from its mother. If you want to go the extra mile, trap the mother, take her to the vet and have her spayed, and release her again, or see if you can get mom and the other kittens adopted out to friends/family.

Young cats play and being scratched and bitten is part of them playing with other kittens usually. Here is acting it out with with you and the other cat and testing boundaries. You can't bring a young cat in and then put it back out. This is cruel. Both of your cats need a place in the house, which is their own bit of territory. Buy toys for the young cat and play with him. He's young and full of life and needs lots of play. Wear an oven glove when you play with him to avoid being scratched and bitten. In time, it'll calm down but always promptly remove your hand when he bites, so that he learns it is not appreciated.

Try buying or building it a small shelter, and be sure to leave some food and water out. The shelter should be able to fit at least two cats. The cat will most likely start sleeping in the shelter and eating and drinking from the bowls you set out. The feral cat will start associating shelter, food, and water with your property.

Feral cats are basically wild, so you are doing well if she lets you touch her head. Cats only let someone touch their belly if they are totally at ease and sure they won't be hurt. Respect her boundaries and you'll earn more of her trust. As for her daytime-nighttime habits, even domestic cats disappear during the day, so your feral cat is probably doing what all cats do......hunting for mice!

Most cats don't actually like being picked up. They merely tolerate it, but prefer not to be picked up. Let your cat come to you when it is ready. Your cat is already a part of your family if it is happy for you to pet it a little bit and 'picking it up' does not define its membership of your family. Also, take your cat to the vet for a check up, to ensure that it is healthy and not someone else's cat.

He is trying to control you because he is territorial and he is afraid of losing you. If you haven't had him neutered, do so and keep him in the house for a few weeks so that he knows this is his home. Neutering him will calm him down. Also, you need to reverse the roles very gently so that he sees you as his leader and comes to depend on you. He is so used to depending on himself and being his own boss and he wants to be your boss. Buy him toys and play with him. Ferals usually have to be taught how to play as it is not a part of their everyday life in the wild. It may take quite a while to achieve the changes you want but if you persevere, it will be worth it.

If the cat is aged about 5 and has always been feral, then she will not be able to forget about being feral. Although she may like some human company, especially if you feed her, she is a wild cat. Feral cats live in a large community, so keeping her locked up may be a little cruel. Why not release her? If she wants to stay with you, she will return.

Use toys, catnip and treats or wet food to encourage your cat to come out. Place these lures near his hiding place, but make sure he has to come out a bit to reach them. Shake the bag of treats every time you give him some to condition your cat to respond to the sound. It will take a while to get him acclimatized, especially if he wasn't given a lot of attention before, so give him time and patience, and just make sure he is being fed and watered.

Your cat might be jealous because you have been around another cat, and she can smell it. If the kitten is staying at your house, your cat may take time to get used to it. Be sure to give your cat plenty of attention and love.

I am close to your age, and I have tamed many cats. The first step is to use food. Hold out your hand with a piece of food and let the cat smell it. Then try to pet it. If the cat runs or hisses, go away and try again tomorrow. Get your parents' permission before trying to tame a cat so they can make sure it's safe first.

Start leaving food near your house for him; however, he will be scared of the dog, so Kevin may not come near when the dog is around.

Yes, it is usual for them to hide. A wild animal that is sick or dying will try not to show it because if appears weak or sick, it could be attacked. If they are dying, they will often go off to die in seclusion because that is their normal reaction for self-caring.

Cats are very skittish, some more than others. Take time to sit next to the box for a couple minutes and be sure to not make any noises that may scare your cat. This can help your cat adjust to you and realize you are harmless. Even if your cat doesn't come out of the box, at least it has an idea that it is safe. Do this frequently, and offer your cat plenty of food and treats so it gets more comfortable.

You should try to trap them in a humane trap. Make sure to place a towel on top of it and place their favorite food in the very back. If you only catch one, place it in a travel carrier with some food and water in it. Repeat to catch the other one and get the injured cat to the vet.

If your feral cat has HIV you should take him to the vet for treatment if possible. Feline HIV is not transmittable to dogs and is only transmitted to other cats through deep wounds or blood transfusions so your other cats are likely fine. Talk to your neighbor about controlling their dog, though.

Cats can become pregnant as young as four months of age, which means having a litter when they are six months old. If you want to avoid this, it is essential that you get your cats neutered.

It might be time for some tough love. She will fall ill if she stays like that. If the carrier has a removable top, take it off and slide the cat out. If not, just pick it up by the back end and shake it a little. Put on some hand protection and drag her out. Be sure that the food, water, and litter is abundant and very clean. And most importantly, place a box in the room for her to hide and feel safe in. Stay in the room and talk to her, and gently attempt to pet her. Give her space when she needs it. Be patent.

Try not to make any sudden movements or loud noises. Leave treats out, and give it time. She will gradually get used to you again.

Consider buying a humane cat trap, your local animal shelter may loan one to you. When you have the cage begin feeding your cat close to the cage door, gradually moving the food nearer the cage each day until the cat is used to seeing the cage. When the cat is comfortable with this, move the food into the cage and the door will automatically close shut.

If you can no longer feed the cat, you should consider contacting your local animal shelter for help. The shelter should be able to offer you advice or even rehome the cat if possible.

Cats' nails don't really need trimming and could even be bad for them. Just provide a scratching post or board.

Maybe the other cat is happier outside. Feral cats are near to wild cats and tend not to like human smells, like your body smell or the smell of your home. Feed the cat outside and leave the door to your home open. Maybe, in time, the cat will get used to the smell of humans and come inside.