Can a feral cat become as tame as a housecat?

[raccoon]

Hypothetical question, though there is a personless cat hanging around.

[meow2u3]

1. They can, but only if you find them between the ages of 2 and 5 weeks

Most ferals, once captured and brought in the house, become semi-feral if they're found between the ages of 5-8 weeks. Semi-feral cats will become attached to one person (or two, if you're lucky), but will remain leery of other people for life.

Feral kittens rescued after 2 months of age will generally remain feral because they've passed the critical socialization period of 2-7 weeks of age. Kittens must have daily, positive human interaction between 2 and 7 weeks of age to be accustomed to humans. Kittens and cats who've had no human contact at that critical period will remain distrustful and afraid of humans for life. That's feline nature.

[HopeHoops]

2. They have to be REALLY young. We found one who was just old enough to eat solid food.

Perhaps just a wee bit young. She's never been able to keep it down well (the great puke queen). She's a total love now, but it took a few years for her to really warm up to anyone but one of my daughters.

[suninvited]

3. yes

my step mother spent weeks and weeks just getting a feral cat to not flee when she approached him. It took months to be able to touch him.

Finally, he even came inside when it was freezing cold outside.

Long story short, in time (a couple of years) there was no remaining signs that the cat was ever feral. He thought his people were his servants and he could walk around a party with fifty or so people like he owned the place.

She had him for about eleven years. Nobody knows how old he was when she first took him in, but he wasnt a kitten.

He died just a few months ago.

RIP Sam.

[raccoon]

7. What a lovely cat! I once had a cat named Sam. nt

[hamsterjill]

4. Most definitely YES - at any age.

It is more the personality of the feral cat than the actual age that may have an impact of his/her acceptance and interaction with humans. Yes, younger ones can be easier to transition to life with a human. The older ones may require a little more time and effort, but it most definitely can be done.

Many times, as well, a cat is a "hard stray" rather than a "feral". A hard stray is a cat that was once an owned cat and was separated from his human for whatever reason and has had to learn to live on his own. After a time, hard strays will generally return to their tame ways once they are in an environment where they are comfortable and secure.

If you decide to help this "personless cat", there are methods that are used by many cat rescuers that will help in the transition from feral to tame.

And thank you for thinking about this kiddo! The very fact that you are asking about him makes me believe you want to help him.

[hedgehog]

9. Four of our cats were "hard strays". One came in because he had

a painful abscess, two came in during bad winter weather, and the fourth came in because he wanted fed.

One of the winter cats never really was much of a people cat. She took off again a year later when we got a puppy. The others all stayed and were very lovable and much loved.

[zanana1]

23. The correct answer is NO.

The mother of kittens born in the streets teach them to be deathly afraid of humans. We have a feral cat who lives in our yard. We have provided a little house for him in our carport with a heated pad to keep him warm during the winter. After five years, he'll come within three feet of us, but no more. He's a super sweet kitty and I'd just love to pick him up and give him a hug. One time, he ran into the house with our cats, looked around and realized he wasn't outside anymore, and went nuts. He also broke a window trying to get out. (He actually put a crack in it). But don't take my word for it. Try googling it.

[hamsterjill]

29. No, the correct answer is "YES"

I beg to differ with your opinion. I've seen many ferals "tamed". I've done it myself many times, and have successfully adopted out several. It takes time, it takes work, and it takes effort, but YES, it is possible.

One should not believe everything that one reads on the internet.

That said, thank you for providing shelter for the one you mention.

[DainBramaged]

5. .............

[muffin1]

6. We captured a feral kitten several years ago.

He was roughly 2-3 months old - and suffering from foot, eye, and upper-respiratory infections. Poor little orange baby that he was. He adapted fairly well to being an indoor kitty (although a little jittery sometimes), and he was with us for about six years. He did become quite sick later and had to be put down about a year ago. I miss that little boy!

We adopted another kitty from the same parking lot, but I'm pretty sure she was simply abandoned by a tourist at a nearby timeshare.
She was super-friendly from the very beginning, although it was so hard to get her into a cage, that we ended up buying a HUGE carrier that one might need for a German Shepherd! She's still doing quite well - in fact, she is sleeping in her little basket as I write this.

And yet a third 'feral' kitten (maybe 6 months old) found her way onto our porch about 2 1/2 years ago. I think she, too, was abandoned. She would walk up to us when we got home from being out, and give us 'headbutts' complete with purring...She is sleeping on my bed right now. :-)

[meow2u3]

31. I captured two feral kittens back in 2000

One was a couple of weeks older than the other, the younger a solid gray female (Smokey) and the older one a rotten-to-the-core and not-so-bright tuxedo (Bandit). They both would refuse to go anywhere near my mom and me for several weeks, but they immediately took to my late, great Maine Coon mix, Sylvester, who effectively served as a "father" to them.

When Smokey was 3 months old, she suddenly decided to become attached to me (and only me), jumping on my lap and asking for a petting! The only time she ever wanted anything to do with my mom was when Mom had food, then--poof!--she appeared out of the blue!

Bandit was a different animal altogether--in more ways than one (he had to have had feline ADHD). He was a hyperactive kitten short of attention; an attitude on four paws; had to be taught how to play like a cat; and hated being picked up. He'd scratch you to pieces if you tried to pick him up. Only my mom could pet him with both hands. He used to jump 3 feet in the air doing backflips; he used to run full speed, nose first, into the walls, the curtains, the sofa, etc. He also used to entertain himself by climbing on the highest part of the cat tree and jumping onto the dinette table--since he was 3 months old!!!

They were 2 when my mom passed away 8 years ago on 2/4/03. I had to surrender the cats to the city animal control, where they were sadly put to sleep because they were too wild to be adopted (both ended up semi-feral). They're now at Rainbow Bridge ;(

[distantearlywarning]

8. I used to live with a woman who rehabilitated feral cats

I personally witnessed a transformation from spitting hissing clawing Tasmanian devil type feral to sweet loving house cat for several cats who were between the ages of 6 months and one year. It took a HUGE amount of daily work for months, though. It involved a lot of distant play (like using the "cat fisher" toys down a long hallway where the ferals could hide behind doorways). It also involved lots of food and coaxing and gentle patience.

So it can be done with even older ferals. It just takes proportionately more work the older they are.

[Forkboy]

10. I've had a cat for 14 years that was born feral.

I've had cats all my life and this is the friendliest one yet, and not just with me, anyone. Complete strangers can come right up to him and he's not scared. The pizza delivery guys love him. :)

[raccoon]

14. What a lovely creature. nt

[stuntcat]

21. Sweety!

One of the ferals I brought in is also unbelievably affectionate. And 2 years ago she was just plain wild.

[mike_c]

11. as others have noted, age is important....

Socialization appears to occur fairly early in cats. I have rescued truly feral kittens and socialized them quite well. I've also rescued older feral cats-- really feral, not just abandoned pets-- and gotten them to trust me, but they've never been good pets. Of course, taking care of animals in need doesn't require that they give anything back at all, so that's just the way it is.

Many feral cats are abandoned pets, however, and those will often re-socialize with humans quite readily, regardless of age.

[meow2u3]

30. Sometimes, it depends on the individual cat

Many feral cats are abandoned pets, however, and those will often re-socialize with humans quite readily, regardless of age.

These "feral" cats are in fact semi-feral at worst. Cats socialized when young and then either abandoned, left behind, lost, or otherwise left to fend for themselves can become semi-feral or will actively seek out new humans to take them in. This is what happened with Ruby. She was abandoned as a kitten and subsequently picked me, not taking no for an answer (she's now 4).

[mike_c]

35. yeah, that's what I meant....

The majority of unattached cats I encounter are likely abandoned pets, including many that live in a feral colony near my house. The truly feral ones won't approach humans, even to receive food. The abandoned pets are living just as hard, but they'll usually come to the food bowl as long as I'm not too close, and several have come into the house over the years and allowed me to take care of them. Two of our current kitties were semi-feral rescues-- undoubtedly abandoned pets-- and another was a truly feral kitten rescue (less than a week old and dying of a respiratory ailment when we took her from mom), and four of the current lot were kittens of the semi-ferals, both of whom came pregnant as unspayed females generally do. All three of our current rescues are awesome pets now, but I'm certain that all spent time with humans while young, even if only briefly.

[JitterbugPerfume]

12. my Lilith and cat-Mandu

were both born to a feral mother, and they are fine.

Well---Lilith (a calico) might be a bit wild and strange but I love her any way

[ceile]

13. Yes.

I have one on my porch right now. Only took three months of feeding before she was wanting to be petted and slept on our chair. She's still outside though. She's been fixed, but I don't know her FIV history so she'll stay outside until we're ready to move, then I'll take her to the vet.
A second feral took over a year to come around, but he likes to be petted now too. I don't think he'll ever be a house cat though...

[May Hamm]

15. Depends on your definition of tame

My opinion is most often a feral cat is never going to be as companionable and docile as most folks want a housecat to be. If you can be content with a standoffish pet it could be a nice relationship given enough time and effort.

[SoDesuKa]

16. My Gracie Was a Feral

Her previous human told me she came in when she was pregnant, which implies she was at least of age to have that happen. After her kittens were grown, she was pretty cozy with them, but they'd already had a full house of animals.

She's now pretty tame, I'd say. Friends come over and she doesn't run away. She checks them out with a sniff and if they get a good rating, even a lick. Of course, an endorsement from Gracie is a high honor. I make sure my friends know it, too.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Why aren't there bomb-sniffing cats at the airport?

Because the cat would sniff a bomb and say to itself, "Good thing I'm not getting on that plane."

[mikeytherat]

17. We've got a whole brood of former ferals and hard strays:

Hannah (R.I.P.) - taken in @ six months from the streets:


Tate (R.I.P.) - rescued from a farm @ eight weeks:


Charlie - rescued from a bridge during rush hour @ six months:


Weird Harold - rescued from the streets @ six months:


Crosby - rescued one month ago from the great outdoors - he's about five years old:


As Crosby spent the most time as a hard stray, he's our most difficult convert - he sometimes wants to be an outdoor cat again, but quickly changes his mind. He gets better each day.

mikey_the_rat

[BrklynLiberal]

34. That is a beautiful collection of cats ...Thanks for the pics.

Each one of them looks pretty damn happy to be inside with you.

[raccoon]

36. Thanks for the pictures...those are lovely cats! nt

[TZ]

18. BTW, there is a way to tell if a cat is a feral or an abandoned pet

Feral cats DON'T meow...Seriously..Cats who have been around people meow...its how they communicate with people other cats...No. My cats were feral kittens, when I first got them, not a peep from them (though they would purr). Now? Chatty Cathy both of them....

[applegrove]

19. We had a cat that was feral as a kitten. When we brought it home it hid

under furniture for weeks. Angus never wanted to be touched. But when we let him roam free at the cottage he would come back and visit us by sitting in the garden and saying a short meow. But he did not want to come inside.

[stuntcat]

20. I brought a 2-yr-old feral in and now she's the most affectionate one we have :)

recently I re-trapped her sister (the first trapping was when I t-n-r'ed them) because neighbors were starting to worry me about a cat potentially crapping in their yard where their special lil toddlers could pick it up and eat it.. oh yeah, cause now I'M responsible for every animal in the neighborhood since I got these sisters fixed :eyes: but anyway yeah Thumby is tame with my husband and me but not with guests. But Dolly is still feral, I mean she's a housecat now but she won't let us near her, it's weird like having a wild animal in the house. And now I'm afraid Dolly has worms so I have to find a way to take her to the vet and I have to clean the kitty litter all day to help stop someone else from getting them, but I can't stop Percy from sniffing her butt sometimes :( ...

Anyway yes, if you work hard at it they can be sorta tamed.. sorta.

[MiddleFingerMom]

24. For a moment, I thought you had a human child named Percy...

.
.
.
...and I thought, "Man, people DO reveal everything online."
.
.
.

[stuntcat]

27. :roffles!:

HAH I laffed so hard the cats and the husband jumped :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Withywindle]

22. Age is a big factor, but so is personality (felinality?)

Cats really are all individuals.

I think if this particular cat is hanging around, that's a sign that s/he wants in, and might become a total cuddlebug. Or maybe not. The only way to know is by spending time with the cat.

[Demoiselle]

25. I've got six cats in the house at the moment.

Monsoon appeared on our porch in a rainstorm, about 8 weeks old, yowling. She was and is fearless, allows petting, but is not particular demonstrative.
A Tom set up his feral household under that same porch a couple of year later.
Two of the kittens we brought inside are affectionate, talky and fearless. They rule the downstairs, and our two Great Pyrenees. Three kittens brought in at about the same age are much more shy. The two girls are no longer afraid of me, and cuddle with me, although they don't trust my husband. The third will occasionally sit beside me on the bed and stare and me and allow me to stroke him, but he always shies away in the end.

The mother of them all lives outside in her heated cat house (wintertime) and allows me to stroke her when she's eating her dinner. She chats to me too, and sticks her head in the door but never comes completely through it.

My point in all of this is that I really believe no two cats--feral--half feral or completely domesticated--are alike.
Which is why I love 'em all.

[LisaL]

26. We brought in a feral kitten. He must have been about 2 months

old. His mother lived on the street and had a bunch of kittens, and we caught one. At first he sat under the bed for several weeks and wouldn't come out. We were concerned he would never become domesticated. But after some time passed he became domesticated and very friendly. He was a really smart cat, as smart as a dog, I never had a cat that smart before or since.

[cherish44]

28. I have a former feral cat who is fairly tame

and actually she wasn't a kitten either. I used to feed her and she was very shy at first...would run away like a bat out of hell if I tried to come close to her...Little by little she tolerated me getting closer to her and finally to the point where I could pet her (while she was eating of course). She showed up at my door one day heavily pregnant and meowing her head off. She ran into my house and proceed to give birth on my front porch. The mommy hormones mellowed her, she was very affectionate after that. She's been inside since, been spayed...she's not a lovey-dovey now but she does purr a lot and loves to be pet (don't try to pick her up though, she hates that!)

[BlueIris]

32. My family has several tame, indoor feral cats.

They are even box trained. Ferals aren't stupid, but many of them resist aggressive petting, and most will never get the point where you can pick them up. This is a real problem for the 'rents ferals--they have to do take home vax and update vax on them because the cats just. won't. go. to the vet.

I'd say feed the personless cat for a while and see if it warms up to you.

[BrklynLiberal]

33. Yes. 4 of my 6 cats were feral. The two that were not are babies of one of the ferals.

I brought inside during a bitter cold winter when I saw she was pregnant.

Patience is the most important asset in this situation.

[Kaleva]

37. Yes but depends on their personality.