How do I deal with an unfriendly stray cat?

Question

Someone abandoned a cat at my apartment. When I first saw it, someone said it had been hanging around for several days. I was able to pet the cat. I spent several days luring it to my apartment with food. I've been feeding it for a week, but it seems to be gettting more and more scared/unfriendly each day. I can't get near it now because it runs away. Should I just stop feeding it? Food isn't cheap, and I'd like to at least be able to pet it when it's on my porch.

I haven't "taken this cat in." I have no idea where it goes at night. It used to be more friendly, but seems to be getting less friendly all the time. The only useful suggestion so far has been to leave some of my old clothes under the food dish.

And no, the money for food isn't breaking the bank, but I think I'd be better off not feeding the stray and actually adopting a kitten from someone.

I'm not allowing the cat into my apartment until I can be sure that it doesn't have fleas. If the cat keeps getting more and more unfriendly, I doubt it would just walk into the apartment anyway.

Do I feed it too much? I'm sure it wouldn't be as quick to run away if it were hungrier.

Answer 1

Try leaving old clothing that has your scent by the food dish. It could be a positive association with eating the food so your smell might attract it. Don't look in it's eyes directly, offer it your hand to smell. Tell me if it works for you.

Answer 2

It sounds like this cat has been mistreated by someone. It may just take a lot more time for the cat to learn to trust you. It may be sick. If you could get the cat into a pet carrier, you might take him to a vet and they could examine the cat and make sure he is ok, give him shots, etc. I know that is money, but if you want the cat, then it is worth it. If you don't want the cat, you could take it to a shelter, or just call animal control and have them come and pick up the cat. Please don't just abandon this cat. He came up to your apartment for a reason, do what you can to help.

Answer 3

all animals have an adjustment period. If someone abandoned you, you would not exactly be trusting. Give it time. Food is not cheap but it is probably not breaking your bank, either. You took the animal in but now are coming at it from a selfish angle. Let the animal get situated and to calm down. I am sure it is very frightened. Pretend you are that animal and how you might feel right about now. Cats do bond to their owners and this one was just abandoned like yesterday's garbage.

Answer 4

If it's all freaked out, one of your neighbors may be trying to get rid of it.

Either stop feeding it and let it find a new home; or if you want to become friends, put out some food and sit near the dish with a book until the cat's hunger outweighs its fear of you. Don't make any moves to pet the cat or even talk to it until it seems interested - let it come to you. It will learn to "trust" you if you sit quietly and allow it to eat safely and in peace.

Answer 5

Well, if you do not want him around, animal control is the best thing.

If you want him, he is just nervous and is not used to this, I would try leaving him food in your apartment, and, if safe enough around you, leave the apartment door open, let him get used to being in the apartment first, than start walking past him,he might run, but you could let him see you in the backround,so he knows you are there. Eventually, he'll get comfortable. Leave the door open, so he can go in and out if he pleases.

Answer 6

Are you allowed to have pets at your residence? If not, then certainly take it to a safeguard (a no kill safeguard ideally) or positioned up an advert on your close by freecycle team, or perhaps Craig's checklist. in any different case it is going to save coming around considering you have now shown it you will shield it. in case you will have cats at your residence, why not provide this cat a attempt? seems such as you're compassionate adequate. you do not want everyone or yet another cat to entertain it. it is going to come to you whilst it needs to be petted or sit down on your lap. in case you have some mouse style toys for it, it is going to play on it incredibly is very own. or you are able to drag a string around to play with it, it is going to chase it and not in straightforward terms will you be offering play for the kitty, it incredibly is extremely exciting to computer screen! IN the two case what has got here approximately is, you have presented a "homestead" for the cat, nutrition and safeguard, and so the cat incredibly accompanied you. :) regardless of if it incredibly is youthful adequate (or regardless of if not) it ought to transition o.k. to an interior cat. (for you or for a chum)

Answer 7

Cats will act that way when in survival mode, and they go through phases in unfamiliar settings and with strangers.

There are other factors that might come into play as well. For example, if you're wearing a certain kind of scented product, it might just be repulsive to the cat, or perhaps it reminds it of the smell of someone who abused it.

Our present cat was feral when we acquired her, but after weeks of conditioning, she became comfortable enough to come up on our laps, after a couple of months, she was curling up and going to sleep there.

Patience!

Answer 8

I think you wish to tame a feral cat. While you may be nice to it, others may be abusing it, or inadvertantly scaring it.

TRy these sites:

http://www.amby.com/cat_site/feral.html
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/ferals.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_6548_tame-feral-cat.html

Suggestion: Do not befriend it unless you can get it
spayed / neutered.