Table of Contents
How often should I feed a feral cat?
Feed once a day, be it in the morning or evening. Ideally, it’s best to leave the food down for about 30 minutes or an hour, let the cats eat each in their own turn, and then to pick the food bowls up for the night so the remaining food doesn’t attract wildlife.
Will a feral cat be happy inside?
While you might have the time and resources to dedicate to adopting out a socialized community cat, unsocialized cats, also called feral cats, never belong indoors. The cats won’t be happy there, and they will probably make you unhappy as well!
Can a two year old feral cat be domesticated?
Most times, semi-feral cats can be domesticated and live happy and healthy lives with their humans. This may take a few weeks, but more often it will take months, and even up to a year. But with patience, respect, and lots of treats, your semi-feral can grow to love you, too!
What is the life expectancy of a feral cat?
The lifespan of a feral cat is often stated as only 2-3 years. Not in our experience. Many caretakers know of free-roaming cats that reach 12 to 15 years of age. Long-term studies are underway to determine longevity.
How long can feral cats go without food?
In any case—ill, picky, or feral—a cat that doesn’t eat might survive for as long as two weeks without food, but not without serious health consequences. A cat that goes about three days or more without eating will begin to utilize fat reserves for energy, just as a human will.
Can a feral cat ever become an indoor cat?
Most feral cats are fearful or people and are not likely to ever become a lap cat or enjoy living indoors. Kittens born to feral cats can be socialized at an early age and adopted into indoor homes. Alley Cat Allies does not, in general, recommend trying to socialize a feral kitten over 4 months of age.
Should I stop feeding a feral cat if it hisses at me?
Please don’t stop feeding a feral cat because it hisses. They don’t understand the concept of rudeness, they hiss because they are afraid of you getting too close. They want the food and love you for it, but they won’t show it because they don’t know how, never having been socialised with a human when they were kittens.
What to do with a feral cat?
Do yourself and the feral cat you feed- continue to feed the cat and respect its nature. Give the cat food but don’t expect it to use the napkin or leave a tip afterward. I feed several neighborhood cats and one in particular is as feral as can be and I’ve fed him for well on six years.
Do feral cats come out at night?
Usually, feral cats stay away from human interaction, and they usually go into hiding during the daytime. But, the problem is that at night, they come out, and you may see the cute creature, but then you’ll want to feed it.
Is it normal for a stray cat to hiss at you?
There’s a stray cat that’s been coming around and I’ve been feeding her. The other day I went to put the food on the plate and she hissed at me for no reason. She has done this several more times. I gave her food today and she didn’t even eat. Is she sick? Hi, well if she is a stray or feral cat then her behavior towards you is perfectly normal.