How Do You Know if Your Cat Is Feral

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A stray cat has been socialized or domesticated at in one case and has probably lived in a domicile with people about of its life. Many people mistake stray cats for feral cats, which have never been socialized with humans. Determining whether or non a cat is a stray tin assistance yous decide what to practise with it. It can be difficult to tell, but analyzing its behavior, looking for signs of an owner, and actively trying to find its owner, tin assistance yous determine whether or not a cat is a stray.

1. 1

   See if the cat approaches y'all. A cat'south behavior towards people can be a big indicator of whether or not a true cat is a stray. Since stray cats have once been socialized, significant they've been around people and virtually likely lived in a home, they are often not as skittish as feral cats. Stand or sit near the cat and meet if it approaches you on its own. If it does, it is probably a stray that is lost.

   • Crouch downwards to its level. This may be less intimidating for the cat.
   • Also pay attention to whether or not the true cat approaches houses or cars on its own. Stray cats are more than likely to practise this.^[one]

2. two

   Approach the true cat. If the true cat does non come up to you on its own, try approaching information technology. It could be the cat is socialized, but is also frightened to come up to you lot. Endeavour moving toward the cat slowly, all the while talking to information technology in a soothing phonation. If the cat lets you lot get shut or pet information technology later some coaxing, it is probably a stray.^[2]

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3. 3

   Decide if the cat is lone. Devious cats volition generally be traveling alone, while feral cats often travel as role of a group. Watch to meet if the true cat is travelling with any other cats. If it is not, it is nigh likely a stray.^[3]

4. 4

   Watch its body language. A cat's trunk linguistic communication tin likewise give you lot clues as to whether or not it is a stray. Stray cats will notwithstanding exhibit similar trunk language to a domesticated house cat. Look for the following:

   • Pay attention to how the cat walks. If it walks with its tail in the air, which is a friendly sign, it is probably a stray who has been a housecat at one fourth dimension or some other. All the same, if it frequently crawls or stays crouched to the ground, and keeps its tail low as a form of protection, it is probably a feral true cat that has never had a home.
   • Besides, a stray cat will probably make eye contact with yous while a feral cat will not.^[iv]

5. 5

   Listen to the cat. The type of vocalizations a cat makes is another way to tell if it is a stray. Stray cats will meow or "respond" you when you speak to them. Depending how long they have been gone from home or on their own, they may even purr when you come up near them. Feral cats, on the other hand, don't usually make any sounds.^[5]

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1. one

   Look for a neckband. Cats that have a home volition nearly probable also have a collar. Near pet owners keep a neckband on their cat that has their name and a phone number to call in case the cat is lost. If you think a cat might be a stray, check to meet if it is wearing a collar.^[6]

   • Merely because a cat is not wearing a collar, does not mean it is a stray. It's possible the true cat lost its collar or was never given one.

2. 2

   Cheque to run into if the true cat seems salubrious. Another inkling to whether or not a cat is a stray is its general health. Is the cat skinny and malnourished? Is information technology injured? Does it seem to be in distress? These can all be indications that the cat is a stray and is unable to find the food or help it needs.^[7]

   • These factors tin can be tough to analyze, all the same. For case, maybe the true cat appears to be well-nourished—you cannot see its ribs and it appears to be at a healthy weight—but it also seems very hungry. It'southward possible this is a stray cat that has not been lost very long, but is hungry because it is not used to hunting its own food in the wild.
   • On the other hand, peradventure y'all constitute a cat that seems skinny, simply does not act hungry. It's possible this cat is feral and has always lived outdoors. It does not human activity hungry because it knows how to observe its own food, but it is not too-nourished equally a pet true cat would be. Do your best to brand a judgment that takes both its appearance and behavior into consideration.

3. 3

   Look at the condition of its glaze. Stray cats are most probable going to look dirty and disheveled. Since they probably came from a home where they were kept within and groomed on a regular basis, they probably won't know how to keep this appearance up on their own. Feral cats' coats are unremarkably clean and well-kept, despite the fact that they alive in the wild.^[8]

4. iv

   Look for a missing ear tip. When a cat is spayed or neutered, the doctor sometimes surgically removes the tip of one ear to signify this surgery has already been performed. This is done so that, if the cat becomes lost, it hopefully will not have to become through the trauma of an unnecessary surgery. If the cat yous've found is missing the tip of one ear, information technology is possible it is a cat that has a family and is cared for.^[9]

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1. 1

   Ask around your neighborhood. The merely certain way to know whether or not a cat is a stray is to observe its owner. A devious cat may not be far from its dwelling. Attempt to locate its owner by asking your neighbors if they have lost a cat or know anyone who has.^[10]

   • It may help to accept a pic of the cat along with yous.
   • Posting a photo of the cat and a location where it was institute on social media tin can also aid you find the owner. This method will let you lot to reach a bigger audition in much less time than going door-to-door.
   • In improver, y'all can create a "found" poster with the true cat'south picture and contact number to telephone call if anyone recognizes the cat.

2. two

   Check for a microchip. If y'all are able to safely catch the cat, take it to a veterinarian to have them scan the cat for a microchip. If the true cat is implanted with a microchip, it volition take information about the owner and how to contact them.^[11]

3. 3

   Attach a newspaper collar. It is too possible that the owner of the stray cat doesn't know information technology has been wandering. In this situation, information technology can exist helpful to attach a paper collar to the cat, if possible, that includes a bulletin like, "This cat has been visiting me lately. Please contact me if information technology belongs to you." Be certain to include your phone number or email accost so the person can reach you. If the cat wanders around during the day merely returns habitation at night, this will let the owner know what it is doing.

   • Don't go out the paper collar on for an extended catamenia of time because information technology could be irritating to the cat. If you haven't received any calls within a few days of placing it on the true cat, remove it if the cat will allow you.^[12]

4. 4

   Contact local fauna shelters. Check with the animal shelters in your area to see if anyone has called about a missing cat recently. If someone has, they may be able to requite you the person's contact information or contact them on their own to try and reunite the owner and cat.

   • It is also a proficient idea to exit a description of the cat, where it was found, and your contact data with each shelter so they tin can arrive touch with you if someone calls looking for a true cat that matches your clarification.

5. five

   Report the missing cat online. At that place are also online resources, like PetsLocated.com, that aid reunite owners with their lost pets. This site has a "lost" database and a "found" database and it continually cantankerous references the 2 to try and match up any pets that accept been reported lost and also found. Enter the information you take near the cat on this database to help discover the owner.^[13]

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• Question

  What is the difference between a stray true cat and a feral cat?

  

  Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion beast practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinarian medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same beast dispensary in her hometown for over xx years.

  

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  A feral true cat was born in the wild, and had no homo contact as a kitten. A stray cat has usually once been endemic, and therefore is used to people, but was either abandoned or got lost and is now living rough.

• Question

  Can a feral cat become a house pet?

  

  Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinary with over thirty years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion fauna practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the aforementioned beast clinic in her hometown for over twenty years.

  

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  Support wikiHow by unlocking this skilful reply.

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

• Question

  How do you go a stray cat to come to you?

  

  Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practise. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

  

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  The best way to do this is through gradually building their trust. Start by putting food down, and waiting some distance away to let the cat get used to you. As they become accustomed to your presence, accept a step closer. Continue this until the true cat tolerates you being close, and and so try to tempt them to you with a tasty treat.

• Question

  Do devious cats meow?

  

  Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion brute practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a caste in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same beast clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

  

  Veterinarian

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• Use caution when you are budgeted a stray true cat. It may scratch or bite yous, which can laissez passer along whatsoever diseases it might be conveying.

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To know if a true cat is a devious, start past watching the cat'due south beliefs toward people since strays tend to be socialized and are frequently non equally skittish every bit feral cats. If the cat is likewise agape to arroyo you but doesn't run abroad, try moving toward the cat while speaking in a soothing voice. Then, listen to see if the true cat answers back, since a stray cat will oft "meow" or purr in response to your voice. Go along to watch the cat to see if its tail is in the air and if it walks tall, which are all indicators that the true cat had a dwelling and was socialized at some point. For more tips from our Veterinary reviewer, including how to discover a stray cat's owner, go on reading!

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