by Joanna Hay

Created on: July 07, 2009

Although the cat is generally considered to be a domestic animal, feral cats are more in touch with their wild side. Usually these cats have never been touched by a human and often have been given good reason to fear people. Feral cats can be tamed, however, with patience and time.

The first thing to remember when taming a feral cat is that rushing the process will do more harm than good. Most feral cats will see your original overtures of friendship as incredibly threatening. Remember that you are at least twenty times their size, and smell like a carnivore! Wild cats that are frightened will do what comes naturally and attack the threat. Try to remember that they do not understand the situation, so reacting with anger to a bite or scratch will only make them more afraid and aggressive.

The easiest and fastest way to tame a feral cat is to live trap it. Use a live trap that is large enough for them to turn around in but too small to escape from. The best baits are tuna or canned cat food as they have a strong smell that will attract the cat. Remember that other animals are also attracted to these smells. Place the trap in an area that you have seen the cat in, but that is also as close to human civilization as possible. This will help prevent the accidental trapping of raccoons or skunks.

Once you have trapped the cat, the easiest way to tame it is solitary confinement. You can leave the cat in the live trap, but move it to a house or secure barn where other animals won't be able to reach it. Every day take the cat fresh food and water, but be careful it doesn't escape. Sit near the cage and talk quietly to the cat but do not attempt to touch it for at least 48 hours. Usually by the third day of this treatment, the cat will be lonely and looking for companionship. If you have provided food and not threatened the cat, they will usually accept you as a friend at this point and allow you to pet them and hold them. I recommend keeping them confined for at least two weeks while supplying daily food and friendship.

If you are unable to trap the cat, do not give up on taming it. Try putting out food in the same place and at the same time every day. Again, it is best to use a strongly smelling food like tuna to attract the cat. Do not put out more food than the cat could eat at once, however, as this will attract other wildlife as well. Once the cat is used to being fed at that time and place, it is time to get them used to your presence. At first, sit as far away from the food as possible while still being able to see it. Over the period of a month, slowly move closer to the food and the cat until you are sitting right next to it.

Once the cat will tolerate your close proximity, start getting it used to your touch. The first time you touch the cat you will undoubtedly be tempted to stroke it. Resist the temptation, however, as too much too fast may permanently frighten your new friend away. Use the cat's responses to guide the amount of contact. If the cat seems frightened or nervous, back off until another day. Although this method is far more time consuming, it builds a strong bond and can be used on any animal.

Remember that food is the way to the heart of almost any wild creature. Feral cats may be more of a challenge to befriend than domestic felines, but with patience and understanding they can become a loyal friend for life.

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