How to Befriend a Wild Cat or Kitten

Luring a Wild Cat to You

Differentiate between a stray cat and a feral cat. A stray cat is someone’s former cat that no longer has a home; a feral cat was born in the wild and is a cat that is wary of humans and generally isn't adoptable due to not being adapted to humans. You may have success at befriending a stray cat; a feral cat probably not although it may become acclimated to your presence. Whether you have a stray or a feral cat around your home, capturing (or trapping) the cat and bringing it to the veterinarian for vaccinations and to be spayed or neutered is an excellent civic duty. Feral cats that are “fixed” can be released back where you found them. You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing they won’t be able to reproduce and contribute to the feral cat population.

Take safety precautions. Wild cats can be unpredictable so you will need to practice some safety precautions as you are trying to befriend it. Cat bites usually become infected, some very seriously, so you will need to wear long sleeves and pants when trying to befriend the cat. Another concern is rabies in a cat of unknown vaccination status. Use caution and common sense. If the cat starts to hiss or growl, looks sick (runny nose or eyes, scabs, sneezes/coughs, breathes heavily), or acts bizarrely don’t try to befriend it. Call animal control and retreat to your home.

Begin befriending the cat. If the cat appears healthy and isn’t acting defensive and mean towards you, you can try befriending it. Find a place where the cat usually stays, and wait nearby until the cat reaches its spot. Sit down or lie down, if you can, or at least crouch. The cat will find you much less intimidating that way. Stay there for a while. Teach the cat you won't hurt it. This should be a fair distance away, 10 feet or so, so you don’t intimidate the cat.

Offer the cat food. Try leaving out some smelly cat food (wet) or even a can of tuna to attract the cat while you are waiting for it to arrive. You want to get the cat to associate you with something good, namely a free lunch. You only need to leave out smelly food the first day. After this leave out a little dry kibble to keep the cat coming back for more. Cats are not as food-motivated as dogs. If offering food does not work, try giving them attention. Toys or small, moving things will encourage them to approach you.

Continue putting little bits of tuna closer and closer to you. Each day the cat comes to eat, move your spot another foot closer. If you hold the cat food in your hand for a while, your scent will be on it, too. This won't discourage the cat from eating it, but it may cause the cat to associate you with food, which is good in general. Put out your hand to let the cat sniff it. If the cat starts hissing, whisking its tail back and forth, or its ears go back, etc., you're too close. Pull your hand back slightly and slowly.

Show the cat some affection. Eventually the cat should get close to you then put out your hand let the cat sniff your hand. Continue feeding the cat, and sitting nearby quietly, and eventually you should earn its trust to the point it will come up to you for food and gentle pats. Don't expect this to happen right away. Don't expect them to even eat any of the tuna right away. Although you want to make friends, staring at the cat can be misunderstood as a sign of aggression. When it comes to befriending a cat, less is more. Sit quietly, sideways on, and ignore the cat. Let them come to you, but you can make yourself more attractive by scattering treats close to your feet. Don't be discouraged if the cat does not immediately approach you. Not all cats want to be touched and some may just be happy to be in your presence.

Taking Care of a Wild Cat or Kitten

Help find the cat's owner. Ask around your neighborhood to see if anyone has lost their cat. Cats that get outside can get lost or roam around. Make some calls to local veterinary clinics and pet stores to see if anyone is missing a cat; taking a photo with your phone and making up fliers or posting to social media sites can also help reunite a stray cat with its owners. If the cat is feral instead of stray, it will not have an owner to be returned to.

Get the cat checked out by a veterinarian. Once you are able to approach the cat and pet it, make an appointment with your veterinarian to have the cat examined and neutered or spayed. If funds are tight, call your local humane society to see if there are any funds available to assist with these costs. The cat will have a tiny bit of blood drawn to test for the feline leukemia virus. If the results are positive your veterinarian will discuss options with you, which include isolating the cat from other cats for its life or euthanasia. If it is negative, a fecal sample will be looked at to determine if the cat has intestinal parasites and it will be given the appropriate medication. In addition, the veterinarian will check for fleas and ticks and treat if needed. Vaccines (rabies, distemper, and possibly feline leukemia) will be given and its sterilization operation will be performed. A microchip may also be placed under the skin if so desired. This is highly recommended.

Find a home for the cat or kitten. Now you will have a healthy pet to take home after its operation and vaccinations. Your hard work will pay off knowing you have saved another cat from a harsh life on the street. Either adopt the cat yourself or find another loving home for it to go to.