There are many kinds of animal lovers, but probably one of the more dedicated animal lovers are those who want the challenge of taming a feral cat or kitten. Attempting to tame a feral cat is a big challenge and requires patience and, of course, a certain level of courage because getting scratched by a feral cat is no walk in the park. But if you’re up to the challenge here’s how you can tame a feral cat.
Before we begin though, it is important to define distinguish the difference between a feral cat and an abandoned cat. A feral cat is a cat that has never been in contact with humans or has been cared for by humans at any point in its life. An abandoned cat, on the other hand, is a cat that has been cared for by humans at some point in its life before being left on its own. Okay, now to the business of taming a feral cat.
Of course, the first thing you should do is to catch a feral cat or kitten. Have a strong cage ready to receive the cat or kitten. You can put in your yard or in an area where there are feral cats. Disguise the cage so that it looks like its immediate surroundings. If it’s in a wooded area place leaves and twigs in and around it. Put a blanket or towel over the cage and place the camouflage on top of it. Make sure to place the cage’s opening away from where you are hiding.
Now lure the cat or kitten inside. You can put cat food a few inches away from the opening of the cage. Everyday put some cat food but position it farther and father into the cage until you can put the food directly inside the cage. Approach the cage quietly if you see that the cat or kitten is already inside the cage and close the door.
Once you’ve captured the feral cat or kitten put the cage in the area where you plan to temporarily keep the cat. Put the cat in a larger cage, big enough to have a litter box and an area for feeding and sleeping. You can now begin taming the cat.
One of the important things to remember when taming a feral cat or kitten is to always use a calm voice when talking to it. Don’t make any sudden noises when approaching the cat. Wear protective gloves and maybe even a long-sleeved shirt when replacing the cat’s food and water or when cleaning the litterbox. Don’t even entertain the thought of touching the cat while you’re still taming it if you don’t want to get scratched or, worse, bitten.
After some time, when you think the cat has gotten used to his surroundings, you can open the door of the cage to allow him to explore the room. But make sure that there aren’t any open windows or doors so that it won’t escape. Be patient and continue to talk to it calmly everyday, after some time it will get used to you and may even allow you to touch it.
Photo from thecatzine.com