Feral cats typically live short and difficult lives.
They’re the skittish cats who scatter when you approach, or the ones who hiss and lash out when they feel cornered. These cats have had little to no contact with humans, so patience and understanding are key.
Not every feral cat can or should become an indoor pet. Adult ferals who have lived outdoors for years are often happiest as community cats, cared for through trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs. Kittens and younger, semi-socialized cats have a much better chance of adjusting to life indoors. If you’d like to try, here are techniques that may help you coax a feral cat toward domestication.
Cats in the wild see any animal bigger than themselves as a potential predator. Playing ‘the long game’ with positive, low-pressure interactions is key. If you try to grab one, the cat will fight for its life. If you trap one just to force contact, you risk the cat hurting itself. Either way, it will learn to distrust humans, and you’ll be back at square one.
Content:
- Start by Meowing at It
- Treat Them With Some Food
- The First Successful Step
- Read Their Body Language
- Creating a ‘Safe Space’
- Have Some Playtime with Your Cat
Start by Meowing at It
Yep, it sounds a little crazy, but a soft, friendly meow (or simply talking in a calm, quiet voice) tells the cat you’re not a threat. Sit down so you’re closer to their level, which lets the cat observe you more comfortably. Keep your distance and never approach the cat. Avoid staring into their eyes, as cats read a direct stare as a challenge, and look slightly away instead. A slow blink is a great way to put a cat at ease. Don’t worry, the distance between you will gradually shrink.
Treat Them With Some Food
Food is one of the most powerful trust-builders, so make it known that you’re the one who brings it. Make a specific sound (or use a clicker) whenever you feed a feral cat, and try to feed at the same times each day so they learn to expect you. You can offer small amounts throughout the day or stick to one or two meals. The choice is up to you.
After a while, put the food down, walk away, and sit within view of the bowl. If the cat starts eating in front of you, you’re doing great. Never carry the food toward the cat. Set it down and walk away, friend.
After a few weeks, start placing the food inside a crate whenever you bring it outside. The crate keeps a boundary between you and the cat. Leave the door open. Once ‘crate time’ has gone smoothly for a few weeks, place a piece of your clothing inside.
The First Successful Step
Letting the cat get familiar with your scent is important, especially before you reach out a hand. Many people find that the first successful step toward petting involves rubbing your hands along a stick and letting the cat rub its face against it. Do this for a few days in a row while feeding the cat at the same time. Once they’re comfortable, you can gently stroke their cheek or the side of their head, but always through the crate!
Read Their Body Language
Cats tell you a lot through their body language, and it will show you whether you can offer a finger through the crate or should keep your hands to yourself for now. When the cat is relaxed enough, you can try petting them while they eat. Don’t reach over the top of their head, as a hand coming from above can frighten them. If they hiss, flatten their ears, or seem nervous, pull your hand back and try again another time.
When it comes to luring a cat into your home, the decision needs to be entirely theirs. Place food closer and closer to the doorway until the cat comes inside and starts exploring. Keep the house calm and quiet!
Note: before a feral cat comes indoors, take them to a vet for a check-up, vaccinations, and spaying or neutering if they haven’t been fixed yet. This is especially important if you already have cats at home. Your vet will test for FeLV, FIV, and worms, and treat any fleas, or you’re in for a real adventure.
Creating a ‘Safe Space’
Create a ‘safe space’ for the cat in a quiet room where they can retreat and hide whenever they need to. Ideally, only the person taming the cat should use this area at first. Avoid starting this process when small children are around or during noisy events like nearby construction. Once the feral cat is living indoors, stick to the same feeding routine.
As for the litter box, don’t stress if the cat has an accident. Simply move the box over the spot they used or, if it was a solid mess, put it in the box and let the cat put two and two together. A quiet corner is a perfect location. Don’t put the box in the middle of a room or near the food dish, and never get angry at a feral cat for making a mistake.
You can also keep an eye on how the cat is settling in without hovering. A Petcube Cam lets you check in from another room or from work, so the cat can explore in peace while you watch for progress or signs of stress.
Have Some Playtime with Your Cat
Playing with a feral cat helps build a stronger bond. Try wand toys, crinkle balls, and catnip-filled mice, or make a simple DIY puzzle box stuffed with treats. They might not be interested at first, but with a little persistence, they should soon be wiggling their butt before pouncing. Put string and wand toys away after play so the cat can’t swallow them.
The Petcube App can help you keep track of your cat’s progress, health, and habits along the way, and connect you with certified vets if something about their behavior or health worries you.
Even after months of work, you may never end up with a ‘lap cat’, but there’s a good chance you can rescue a feral cat from the traumatic, difficult life they’re used to. Good luck with the transformation, and let us know how your training is going!
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