Any suggestions for winning over a "wild" cat?

Question

I just bought a house and It's right next to a creek. There is this cat that is probably at least 3 years old who lives in the creek. He's a very pretty cat and seems really sweet. The problem is that he's terrified of my husband and me. He will come sit on our doorstep, actually leaning against our door and he seems to be very at home in our garage if he manages to get in there. He also meows at me like he's waiting for me to come outside. I'm starting to think he may have belonged to the previous owners. I feed him periodically and he will come fairly close if I've put out food, but he runs if I even think about petting him. I dont know if he comes around like this because he thinks this is home or because he has a curiosity about my kittens. He started coming around before I started feeding him. I really don't mind him being around because he takes care of outdoor pests, but I feel bad that I cant show him any love in return. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

If you really want to get friendly with this cat then, Yes, taking your time is the best bet.

FOOD...
It is good that you have been feeding the cat. Now feeding him at a regular time in the same place daily is a good idea. It will develope a routine with the cat and the cat will come to 'expect it', making a solid food bond between you.
Now when you put the feed out, call to the cat - give the cat a name [so eventually when you call out, the cat may come over].
Speak softly to the cat [and say the cats name] when you spot him in the garden.

GETTING NEAR...
DO NOT MAKE ANY SUDDEN MOVES, if the cat is near to you or spots you in the garden! Even lifting your hand up can spook a cat, keep them at your sides and slowly crouch down [if you have time] to stop and talk to the cat.
The next step when feeding out is to put the food out and step aways back from the food. Then crouch down, so you appear smaller and less threatening, call to the cat to come and eat... you and hubby taking turns so the cat gets use to both of you being around.
Slowly move closer and closer to the food bowl [and cat] a little at a time each other day. When you do get closer, you could have less food in the bowl and have some food on you and try to coax the cat to feed from your hand while saying his name and talking softly to it.
If all this works out well, then the next step is giving him a very gentle pat...and tell the cat what you are doing! Don't try to pick him up until you have full trust...and if he wants to go, let him.

SLOWLY...SLOWLY!!!

Just remember if this cat is a real feral cat, he will be quite happy getting food and sleeping in your garage [you could put a cat door in to make him more welcome?].

Answer 2

Food and reliable actions. No grabbing or chasing, just act normal. The more you're outside where he can see you, the better. They need to know you're safe and always going to do the same thing before they'll get closer than 10'.

Food food food. Do a special food call when you go out with something. Even little things, like part of a cut up hamburger or scraps, hold the plate in your hand, look around and give whatever food call you want to, then put it down and go back into the house. They learn really fast that it means you got something just for them and even if they're not thrilled with the scraps, they do want to see what it is. The way to these cats hearts is through their stomachs.

Answer 3

Keep putting food out. Also try putting out a can of tuna. This will take some patience, but when you put food out wait at a distance for the cat to come. Don't approach the cat, just watch it. Let it get used to your presence. Every couple of days move a little bit closer to where the cat is eating and just watch it taking care not to close the distance gap too much. Eventually, the cat will let you stand just a few feet away while it eats. Then, hopefully, it will let you pet it. Just remember to have patience and understand that this could take weeks or even months.

Answer 4

I've got a cat like that. He appeared in my shed/barn as a kitten. He was sleeping in there, so I started to feed him. He is a 'wild' cat like you describe. When he was a kitten we'd let him in the house (my mother-in-law with alzheimer's liked to pet him). When he got older he didn't want to sit in your lap much anymore. By his own choice, he lives outside now (still in the shed...).

If I'm late getting home he'll wait by the garage, and follow me into the house and onto the back porch where I feed him. He'll let me pet him then. Other than that, he ususally wont let me get close enough to touch him.

On the other hand...another kitten showed up in the front yard last year. TOTAL opposite personality. He wants to be totally involved in EVERYTHING you're doing. If I'm unloading groceries from the car, he'll jump in the trunk and look around. I always have to be careful not accidentally lock him in the trunk or a closet or a cabinet or the garage...just about anywhere!

Cats are so different.

I'd just continue to feed him. Sometimes that's the only "love" they really want. If he brings you dead "offerings", it means he likes you too. That's his cat way of showing it. My shed cat does that.

Answer 5

Lots and lots of patience is the key here. He obviously doesn't trust humans as much as he once did. If his previous owners abandoned him that might be why.

If he's Entire (not had the snip) and one of your kittens is female he might be hanging around for her, but I seriously doubt it. He seems more interested in food and some shelter in your garage.

If you really do want this cat to trust you, you should be willing to accept him into your home as he may well decide he likes you and wants to stay, If you don't want another cat, then call your local Shelter (one that has a no put down policy) and they will some get him and take care of him.

If you would like to take care of him, don't expect a lot of him at first. He is nervous and suspicious of you. Place food out at the same time (roughly) each day and just sit close, but not too close, to the bowl and talk to him while he eats. move a little so he gets used to you moving. Take it step by step and let him come to you when he is ready. He will eventually begin to trust you, but it will be a slow process. You should do more and more with him the more he trusts you (like take a toy out to try to play with him), but try not to overstep the trust boundary by trying to pet him unless he actually comes up and nudges you for attention. When he does, stroke him a little and then wait for him to ask you again.

Also, when he looks you in the eyes, close them slowly and re-open them slowly. Try not to look him directly in the eye, but at an ear or his nose. The slow blinking is a sign you mean no harm.

Answer 6

Just continue to take it very slowly. If you rush to make a move to "show affection" you may ruin any bond you are beginning to form. Winning over a feral cat's trust takes time. ALOT of time. Some are never completely won over, and that is just part of their personality you may have to accept if you want him to keep coming around. The most important thing is to take it slow. Talk to him from a distance without making a move toward him. Let him decide when he's ready to take the next step. Maybe he'll let you stand next to him while he eats. Then maybe a few weeks later you can touch his head once, or he'll rub his head on your leg for a second. Some feral cats adjust incredibly well and become lap cats. Some will never lose their mistrust of humans and will only slightly tolerate you as the food provider. Just give it time and let him dictate the moves.

Answer 7

Something happened like that to me. There was this solid white cat coming around my house. But I could not pet him. But I kept feeding him. I made sure to pet my cat in front of the other cat. If the other cat sees you not hurting your cat,and your cat enjoys the attention. The other cat should come around. It worked for me. His name is Pest, and now he is a lap cat!

Eather way, it will take time. let the cat come to you. what ever you do, don't force yourself on him/her, you could loose any chance of a bond being formed if you try to rush them.


Another course of action is one we use to gain trust of a cat or dog at the animal shelter. You see a need in the cat, you fulfill the need, not just once, but make sure you get a pattern started. If the cat can relay on you to fulfill its needs, It will start to bond with you.

Answer 8

People bandy the word 'feral' around when they talk about stray cats. But feral is a tricky concept. If this cat came to you, he is not feral, but he is unsocialized. And in fact, even your sweetest domestic companion, when outside, frequently will run from you when you reach down to pet them. The person who said that the wildness will never go away is absolutely wrong. I have done volunteer work with several cat rescue groups in NYC, groups that take cats off the streets, get them vet care, get them healthy, and adopt them out. Many begin unsocialized and some are ferocious, but I have only seen one that never became docile.

What the other people have said about consistency is true. The best thing you can do to bring this cat around is to put out food for him at the same time every day, so that he expects it and is waiting for it. When you step out the door with the food, make a sound and then call his name. I had a stray momma cat I fed. I would make that sound with the tongue to the roof of the mouth, that clicking sound that means shame, shame and is written out tsk-tsk, then say "Lilli!" She would come running as soon as she heard those clicks. And she knew her name. My cat actually brought her in to the house. She followed him in through the window to inspect his food bowl and bed and home. He fell in love with her.

In any event, be consistent. He wants to come to you now, but is cowed by your size. He indeed may have belonged to someone at some time. In any event, call him, put down his food bowl, and then sit on the steps while he eats. Don't make any moves toward him. But stay near. If he goes ahead and eats, then just do this consistently. If within a month he has not come up to you to brush against your leg and permitted you to touch him, rent a have-a-heart trap from your local animal shelter. It is a trap you put food in, and when he enters to feed, it snaps shut.

The most loving thing you can do for this big boy is get him to the vet, get him tested for feline AIDS and leukemia, get him wormed and get him his shots. If he is leukemia negative, you may breathe a huge sigh of relief, and be sure you get him innoculated against this 100% fatal, near-epidemic among outdoor cats, scourge. And get him neutered.

When you bring him home, if you want to socialize him fully before releasing him, you could keep him in a cage for a couple of weeks. Cats socialize quickly when caged, and it absolutely is not cruel or even unkind. Basically, you cage them with food, water, potty and some bedding, keeping the cage up on a surface in a busy room of the house -- kitchen, family room -- so the cat can smell you, watch your comings and goings, learn your rhythms. You can cover the back half of the cage with a blanket or sheet, so the cat feels secure and can observe you from the safety of his little cave. Every time you approach the cage, do so gently and call his name, and every time you open the door of the cage, let it be to bring him something good: food, water, cleaning the litter pan, toys, ear scratches. So he learns that a human hand is not a frightening thing, and so he learns to trust you, your presence, your smell, your movements, your voice.

Then you can release him (and return the borrowed cage). If he likes your garage, you might want to install a cat door on it so he can come and go, but be safe from the elements. You might want to keep his food in the garage. Of course, cats curl up inside the car on the engine, and can snuggle under the car, so you would want to give him a little warm spot in there, his own bed and some food and water. You also might want to put a little collar on him with his rabies tag and a little tag with your name and phone number. This would protect your investment.

If you do these things, you will have a working cat in your yard as long as he lives and you live in that house. He will get rid of your pests. And you will definitely have shown him the love he clearly wants and deserves.

Answer 9

Are you speaking approximately cats or human beings? i can not quite aid you, reason i've got no longer seen a combat to the dying. yet, I even have seen this... Cats generally end scuffling with until now they do deadly harm to their foe. The looser purely leaves. it would be superb if human beings might try this. by using how, fat cats could be clever, too.

Answer 10

Give him time. Keep putting our food for him and let him know that you are around. He will come to you when he is ready. You could even try sitting outside when he is around and just let him get used to your company. Don't rush him, let him come to you.