How long does it take for a tame, lost cat to become a feral cat?

Question

My cat has been missing for 3 plus days, and no sign of him anywhere. He is a good hunter and there are lots of empty lots and acreage where he could be.

Answer 1

A feral cat is a cat that was born in the wild and grew up during its impressionable kitten period without knowing humans. They are difficult and maybe impossible to fully domesticate later in life.

A lost cat or a stray cat that has known humans as a kitten can still be brought back in because that impression is permanent. They may be frightened to death of humans or dislike humans but they are not feral.

Some cats go wandering for long periods of time and then come home while others are just stuck in a garage somewhere waiting for someone to get back from vacation and let them out. Other cats hitch a ride on a car or truck and have to be brought home. Sometimes cats are picked up by people who think they are lost when they are just wandering around.

Does he have a microchip? If so, a humane society or vet can pick that up.

Answer 2

Some cats come back home after a "jaunt" for a while. All cats have the instinct to hunt and thus live as feral cats. House cats however rarely give up a warm home and become feral permanently.

Answer 3

As one of the most adaptable mammals on earth, the domestic cat can become feral fairly easily.Often in a matter of a few weeks.

In the United States, surveys show that approximately 30 to 60% of unneutered lost or abandoned cats will eventually live in a feral colony.

Answer 4

Your cat knows where home, food and shelter is so don't give up hope. Look around the neighborhood, and notify animal rescue in the event they capture him, he can be returned to you.

And, one way is to sit outside and simply read. Read anything, as he may hear your voice and return.

True feral cats are those who have never had a home. Even those who live in the wilds for some time are recognized by other cat lovers as once having had a home, as they will approach humans.

Answer 5

What labored for me to tame and socialize many feral or rescue cats and kittens used to be to place a giant cage, like a whole sized cat cage or a giant varikennel, within the nook of a room wherein there used to be noise, television, and so on, and canopy it besides for the door. There the cat can see, pay attention and odor the whole thing, however believe riskless within the darkened cage. Leave her a few dry meals but additionally begin supplying canned meals and make dealing with time even be the feeding time for the canned fiood. Whenever you cross to manage the cat, dont select her up to start with, simply scratch her ears, below her chin, stroke her head, some thing she looks to love great and be frightened of least. If she doesnt like some thing, then scratch at the back of ears lightly and stroke the highest of her head and if she is not looking to chunk, scratch lightly below her chin. Then depart her the canned meals, near the door, and stroll away. The cat simply found out that she needed to publish with a few dealing with, however nonetheless felt riskless at the back of her darkish cage, no longer being picked up, after which she obtained rewarded with anything rather well tasting and the human left with out harming her. Her final enjoy earlier than you close the door used to be of receiving a deal with. This begins forming the arrangement of dealing with, with anything constructive. As time is going on, you will have to begin seeing her chill out as she will get used to dealing with. It oftentimes takes weeks and even a few months to move from simply scratching her or petting her and leaving, and attaining the factor wherein the cat is positive and will also be allow out to run across the apartment. As you're doing this, regularly discover the cage. After approximately per week, for illustration, discover side of the aspect in order that simply the again and approximately two/three of the edges are protected, Next week, discover one other 3rd, 3rd week, take the quilt off. If she reacts in worry at any of those phases, return to protecting all however the entrance for one other week, then check out once more. It takes endurance however has labored for all however a couple of cats and kittens that I used it on. And of the few it didnt paintings on, one used to be cattery born and raised, socialized however simply had a wild type of elementary temperament.

Answer 6

Some cats have several homes, but as far as your question. It varies from cat to cat. It's going to depend on how much he trusts humans. Once he is mistreated, he goes back to his natural instincts, survival.