A Stray Cat Question...How can you tell?...good advice needed?

Question

How can you tell if a cat is a stray or just someones outdoor pet? I will mention a few things i have noticed about this stray that has been hanging around my yard and please tell me what you think?(stray or not)
1. She ate food from my hand
2. She runs away whenever someone opens the door
3. I dont think she wants to be pet(never tried)
4. Always out late at night or very early in the mroning(thats when i see her mostly)
5. Wont eat regular cat food
What do you think?

Answer 1

You can't get close to feral cats. This sounds like a cat that is familiar with people and might have once been someone's pet but has had to fend for itself for so long it no longer trusts humans. If you want to feed it, feed it, but consider trapping it and having it neutered also. The local Humane Society can probably help by letting you borrow a trap and providing a low cost spay/neuter. It really needs to be done, otherwise it just becomes more of a problem.

Answer 2

It is difficult to tell. The fact she eats food from your hand suggests she is a pet.
Running away whenever someone opens the door is probably because she is cautious, stray or pet.
If she is a stray, it's good that you haven't tried to pet her because she may bite you and infect you with something. I mean it probably wouldn't happen - but just in case.
If she is out late at night or early in the morning that isn't unusual ... in the wild they are nocturnal ... if she is a house pet she could just go home during the day to sleep and wander at night.
Finally the fact she doesn't eat regular cat food is neither here nor there. She could get fed special food if she is a house pet, or she could only eat biscuits, or only a certain brand (trust me, cats know brands, my cat is very fussy in the particular food he likes)

I would take her to the vet ... she may be micro chipped. If not, then I guess the right thing to do would maybe be to put some posters up saying that you have found the cat - or check your neighbourhood for any posters that say there is a cat missing ... then when you have done that - if within a week or 2 no-one gets back to you, you can decide if you want to keep the cat or not.

If not, just take it to a shelter and they will find a good home for it. If you want to keep it, I would take it straight to the vets to find out if she is neutered (and get it done if she isn't) and get all her jabs up to date.

Please don't just leave her ... it seems silly if she is like next door's cat ... but if you keep her in your house for a couple of days (if the microchip thing fails), someone will know their pet has gone missing and you will know within a week (if you put up posters too) if she is a stray or homeless ... or possibly that her actual family can't look after her any more and didn't take her to a shelter ... just left her to wander.

Hopefully you will do the right thing.

Just remember to research the cost of cats before you keep her on if that is what you want to do. Everything from food, litter and toys to vets bills (they can be pricey) and maybe cat insurance.

Hope this helps !!! (And sorry for the essay !!!)

Answer 3

Don't try and pet a cat that is not your own or one that you know for sure is vaccinated for rabies. A stray cat might have it and not show symptoms yet, yet is still contagious. You might not ever be able to know if he had rabies if you don't see him that regularly because they usually die after 10 days. Once you get the symptoms, you are already dead. If you ever get bit by an unknown animal, get the shots from your doctor just in case or get Animal control to capture the animal and quarentie the animal and if then it is OK, you are OK too and if it dies, then you can go for the shots. Avoid all this trouble by wearing a thick glove and some layered long sleeve shirts thick enough so if he were to bite you, it wouldn't actually get you.

Ok, I just had to say that because I had a rabies scare this week and want you to avoid it. I didn't have to go for the shots. but it did waste my time.

Ask you neighbors and people in your neighborhood if it's their cat. Then again cats wander up to 2-5 miles.

If it doesn't have a collar, it's most likely a stray, but then again doesn't have to be. Some people are very rustic and don't put collars on cats.

Check the quality of coat and ow thin it is. THe better kept, more likely not a stray.

Answer 4

If she ate food from your hand, I'd think she is a pet as she doesn't seem to be afraid like a stray might be. If she did this, she also should let you pet her. If she doesn't eat regular cat food and may not want to be petted, it may be an indication she is a pet because she may be getting enough food and attention at home. I know people who let their cats out at night and in the morning, so the timing doesn't help determine that in my opinion. If she doesn't like doors she may have been caught in one and is now afraid of them. The best way I know to tell if it's a stray is to keep feeding it and if it stays, it's usually because it's hungry and will stay where it's getting regular meals. Too bad there's no tag or collar to help know. A vet could also help know if it's been spayed/declawed and is in good health which is another sign someone has taken good care of it and that it's a pet. But, even if she has been a pet, she may be recently lost and is now a stray. I'd ask your neighbors, too. Are you wanting to adopt it? If so, take the time outside to build trust first, then see if you can bring her in. Then take her to a vet to be sure she's in good health, and then keep her in. Vets recommend that cats need to be kept inside to avoid disease and illness, unkind people, other stray or diseased cats and cars.

Answer 5

Because she ate from your hand she either IS or was someones pet. If she runs from the door when you open it she is just letting you know that she doesn't want to live with you. She would let you know if she wanted you to pet her. A lot of people who have outdoor cats bring them in during the day and out at night. If she won't eat cat food she's not too hungry she just wanted whatever treat you had for her.
NOT A STRAY

Answer 6

Without a microchip or a collar, it's be impossible to know. I know house pets who would act this way, and ferals who do too. Strays may or may not be fed by others so without checking a three block area in each direction, you'd just be guessing.

That doesn't mean you can't feed the cat or give it a home. If it's out at all hours, it'd be ok in my opinion to make sure the cat isn't exposed to cars and other dangers if you bring it indoors.

Answer 7

I think it is a stray cat, but I don't think it matters that it's a stray or not. If someone leaves a cat outside like that, I don't think they should keep the cat.

If you're allowed to, you should probably take care of the cat. If you do, however, you should probably take him/her to a licensed veterinarian to check if he/she has any viruses, infections, or diseases. Make sure you buy all of the right essentials, also (litter box, food, toys, litter, comb, flea comb, flea medication if needed, etc).

If you need any other information on how to take care of a cat, you can email me at [e-mail] You can also check a lot of cat websites or ask your vet or someone working at a pet store advice on how to take care of a cat. I hope this helps!

Answer 8

it is really hard to tell with cats one way or the other. my cat would run the other way from people he does not know or real familiar with (like family he does not see on a regular basis). as for eating regular cat food, my stepmom's male cat will eat the dog kibbles (as he did this at his former home and must think it is very acceptable). Some cats are not what I call "lap" cats and they just don't like to be pet--even by their main human of their choosing. Cats choose who they want to take care of them. Finally don't forget that cats are nocturnal and like doing their "thing" at night time or early morning hours

Answer 9

The best answer to this question isn't here. Go ask neighbors if they've seen the cat before, if anyone's moved recently and perhaps left the pet behind. It sounds like this cat has/had an owner and might be lost.

Answer 10

Sounds like my youngest is visiting you. Tim insists on being outside most of the time, especially at night. Cats are often finicky eaters, but Tim eats like a dog (he wants to grow up to be a Pitbull like his Mom). Your visitor is either a pet, or a left behind pet. Cats cannot safely wear collars, they get caught when being chased. To tell if your friend needs a home, watch his/her condition in the winter. If she/he gets scruffy and skinny, offer to let him/her inside. The cat will decide who to live with.