How to Tame a Feral Cat or Kitten

By eHow Pets Editor

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With a little patience and time, a feral (or wild) cat can be tamed into a loving pet. Younger cats are more apt to adjust quickly: 6-to-8-week-old kittens typically take two to three weeks to adjust to a domestic environment.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Vari-kennels
Cat Foods
Litter Boxes

Step1

Enclose the cat or kitten in a small space at first'a bathroom or bed-room works best.

Step2

Turn out the light if the cat is terrified; this often has a calming effect.

Step3

Put a bed, a litter box, food and water in the room. If the cat is very young (6 to 12 weeks), put her in a large carrier with a grated door and small windows.

Step4

Spend at least 2 to 3 hours a day with the animal. Just sitting quietly in the same room will allow the cat to learn that you are not a threat.

Step5

Gently compel the cat to let you touch her. Carefully wrap a blanket around her if you have to, hold her on your lap and pet her. Stroke her coat and touch her ears, face and neck as you talk to her in soothing tones. Even if the animal doesn't seem to be enjoying the attention, she is. Hold the cat by the scruff of the neck if she attempts to leave. (The mother cat will do this to carry or train a kitten'it doesn't hurt, and it actually relaxes the animal.)

Step6

Present special treats such as chicken or tuna, and leave them if the cat will not eat from your hand.

Step7

Gradually allow the cat to roam about in more rooms.

Step8

If the cat tries to run away from you repeatedly, enclose her in a smaller space and start again.

Tips & Warnings

Don't get discouraged early on; young feral cats can become very affectionate pets. Younger cats are more apt to adjust quickly: 6- to 8-week-old kittens typically take two to three weeks to adjust to a domestic environment. An older cat that has been wild for a long time is difficult and sometimes impossible to tame, and may be better left outside. If you catch one, have the animal spayed or neutered and vaccinated, and then turn the cat loose where caught, or contact a professional.
Handle feral cats with extreme caution. Use gloves and protective clothing as required. Cat bites and scratches can result in serious health problems.

Comments

Pterocarpous said

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on 5/31/2008 I'm very encouraged by your article. I have a feral kitty I've been taking care of for about a year now - since she showed up in my front yard at about 10 weeks or so of age. Even though she knows me and allows me limited access to petting her, I have to use a trap to capture her for vet visits (spaying, vaccinations, microchip, etc.). She recently was badly injured rendering her left front leg unusable. The vet says there "may" be a possibility of repairing it (at great cost) but amputation may be called for in the end. I can't let her stay outside any longer as she can't defend herself. So, I need to bring her inside. I have her in a very large dog kennel right now as she has to stay pretty much immobilized while she recovers and adjusts to her injuries and I need to be able to administer her pain medication (mixed in her food, of course). I have some mild tranquilizers the vet gave m

knoxvillenancy said

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on 7/9/2007 A brilliant friend taught me how to tame a feral kitten, and it worked like a charm: Once she had been to the vet and tested neg for FELV.. I isolated her for a day or two in the bathroom and got one of my sweetest cats to come in with me and I fed him treats and petted him in front of her. It was amazing - the next day she let me scratch her chin and pet her. They learn by example.. As I caught each of her littermates, it took less and less time for them to be tamed because they saw me interacting with the first kitten and overcame their fears very quickly.

lynda50 said

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on 6/20/2007 ok i have five kittens mother was are is w/ them. she was a strayuntile i started feeding her, it took awhile but she finially let me pet her and pick her up. nowhe had the kittens they are about 4 or 5 weeks old not sure i don't know much about cats i want to keep one and give the rest to paws. what can i do to get them use to me? i'm moving in two weeks and i just can't leave them.iam in a panic!

scotsys said

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on 5/3/2007 (continued...) About a week ago I noticed that our female cat was not getting food and water. The feral cat had staked out his food dish and would not let the other cat eat, so I bagan setting out another food dish on the property for the female cat.

Yesterday when I passed the tom's food dish he attack my leg. Fortunately I was wearing blue jeans and he only manage to make two puncture marks in my legs. Here is what I have discovered. If you get too close to his food dish he is going to attack. I am now trying to figure out how to deal with this cat. I would like to keep him around because I am sure he keeps away mice and snakes, but I can't have him attacking everyone that comes near his food dish. I have thought about trapping him and taking him to the vet to have him neutered, but it would be a dangerous proposition for the vet and I don't know if it would "fix" the problem.

scotsys said

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on 5/3/2007 About 4 months ago, a male feral cat started coming up to the house and eating our spayed female cat's food, so I made certain that there was ample food and water for both cats. After a month or two when I sat down his food, I stayed near by and gradually moved my hand closer. He sniffed my hand and reached out and took a swat at my hand and arm, leaving three nasty cuts. I thought he was telling me that "The food is good, but I don't care for the company". So I never attempted to approach him again, always giving him a wide berth when I sit his food down in the morning. He is always at the back door each morning waiting for his food. He no longer backs away when I sat down his food. Several days ago, he swatted at me again but missed me by a few inches. (continued.....)

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