A feral cat will rarely meow, whereas a stray cat might meow if it feels comfortable. A feral cat means a cat that is not owned by a caretaker and has lived at least the majority of its life outside in the wild. Here's what to do if your cat goes missing. Joe Exotic Memes: Funniest memes from the Tiger King, Here Kitty Kitty Joe Exotic: Meaning of the Lyrics. Local cat rescue groups may either help or know if there is a feral cat colony in the area where the cat belongs. Hormonal changes that prepare cats for breeding—a process called estrus or oestrus—begins around six to ten months of age. One simple way to know if your cat trusts you is if her tail stands straight up, especially when she sees you or walks toward you. Kittens born to feral cats can be socialized at an early age and adopted into homes. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for many shelter workers to tell the difference between a cat who is a social animal, used to humans, but severely stressed out or afraid, and a truly feral cat. Multiply the number by four to get the heart rate beats per minute. Sometimes, this can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks, or even more if they’re skittish. It has a good chance of being either. Feral cats, who have never been pets and live like raccoons and possums and other wild animals, roam the alleyways of cities and the fields of the countryside. Feral cats tend to have more nocturnal behavior. A stray cat will probably live alone. Feral cats show a w ide range of behaviors toward people. Always air on the side of caution and give the cat space rather than trying to approach or otherwise interact with a cat that shows signs of fear. For the last two years, much of her work’s focus has been on covering animal psychology and the animal mind. Now taming and socializing a feral cat isn’t always the simplest thing. Stray If the cat seems nervous of humans, then you can probably guess it is feral. It is a big issue. A stray cat may approach you or allow you to touch her. Let the feral or stray cat come closer to you on his/her terms. First, you will want to see if that cat is actually feral, or if it is a stray cat. In seven years, a single female cat and their kittens can produce 420,000 more cats. Offer food, if she seems hungry. Another sign that a cat is feral rather than stray is that they may have had their ear ‘tipped’. The next thing you can look for is the presence of something that would indicate human contact. before and after pictures of rescue cats will melt your heart. The cats in a colony share a common food source and territory and may include not only ferals, but also strays - former pet cats who were recently lost or abandoned and are still tame. Cats out and about during the day, are more likely to be strays or outdoor cats with a home. Some pets are cruelly abandoned to fend for themselves, but there’s just as good a chance that a non-feral cat you find hanging around your yard has an owner somewhere who would like to see her come home. Feral cats demonstrate hyper-vigilance when eating. Leave some important information out of your description of the cat, a distinguishing detail such as a missing tooth, extra toes or that odd orange spot. A feral cat will keep a safe distance and flee if you initiate contact. Stray Cat: Here’s How to Tell the Difference. Look for one ear, usually the left, that’s cleanly squared-off rather than pointy. A feral cat usually comes out in the dark, while stray cats are active during the day. Another helpful hint: If you do decide to become a caretaker, squat or sit on the ground so you're at their level when you regularly feed them. This mark indicates that a feral cat has been trapped before and spayed or neutered. It prevents those who work with feral cat colonies from retrapping cats unnecessarily. The sanctuary want the public to be able to distinguish cats as stray, feral, or pets, emphasising that cats are not like dogs and can often do their own thing, Which of the three categories a cat falls into can determine the best way to help them; a cat in need of help, for whatever reason, is still an animal needing help. Socialization to humans : Because feral cats had little to no socialization with humans during their formative months, they generally will not approach humans … There are many key characteristics that distinguish a feral cat from a stray cat. Feral cats are essentially wild cats. The feral life cat expectancy is a lot shorter than house cats. They are wary of any human , no matter how friendly, and will most likely not eat food right in front of you. The best way to help any cat entering an animal shelter will depend on the cat. She is former editor-in-chief of OMNI, executive editor of Discover, and currently the psychology and health editor of Aeon. There a couple key differences between a feral vs stray cat. Strays and housecats are crepuscular, which means they tend to be more active at dawn and dusk. Contrary to popular belief, not all feral cats were born in the wild. They differ from strays, which are cats that were once pets but that have since been abandoned, as well as free-roaming cats, which are usually pets allowed to roam outside (they may also be ownerless cats who have a generous caretaker (common in cities) who provides them with food but not shelter). Maybe not in droves to begin with, but remember, patience is key. If you have your own feline friend with access to the outdoors, understanding whether you have a feral cat or simply a stray cat on the prowl is an important piece of information to keeping your kitty safe and healthy. If you see a feral cat, there are a lot of things that you can do to help them. There a couple key differences between a feral vs stray cat. Feral cats tend to keep their distances from view or they stay within their home range in the outskirts. Distinguishing a stray house cat from a feral cat isn’t always easy, though there are some clear indicators. Around 50% of feral cats die within their first year. That would indicate a stray. You are unlikely to see them during the busiest times of day, unless they are the offspring of tame cats and are used to being fed at a particular time. When you see a cat outside, at first glance, it's often impossible to know whether or not the cat is feral, or domesticated. Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Just know that an ear tip only means it has been fixed; it is a myth that it means it is feral. Some of them might have been born as a house cat, but they escaped into the wild for one reason or another (abuse, abandonment, etc. Since stray cats have once been socialized, meaning they’ve been around people and most likely lived in a home, they are often not as skittish as feral cats. I hope you enjoy my articles, and reach out in the comment section if you have any questions! Use a stopwatch or your smartphone to count the number of beats you feel in 15 seconds. If they are swollen and slightly reddish she is nursing. A "feral" cat is unsocialized and tends to be fearful of people and keep a distance. Sometimes a cat shows up in your neighborhood or on your doorstep, and it’s obvious that the cat is feral. Look for one ear, usually the left, that’s cleanly squared-off rather than pointy. Unspayed female cats will eventually reach a fertile period in life, which extends well into old age. Things to Know Before You Tame a Feral Cat. If the cat comes up to you, rubbing on your legs, then it's a sure thing the cat is domesticated. As a cat’s breasts and nipples begin enlarging in anticipation of the arrival of kittens, … But use caution: Get someone to help if the cat tries to scratch or bite. Such cats can benefit from human care, particularly spaying and neutering, and they’ll appreciate feeding—but you definitely shouldn’t try to rescue them. She is author or co-author of 16 books, including the award-winning Cure Unknown: Inside the Lyme Epidemic. In other words, look for a flea collar or an ID chip embedded in the ear. A feral cat’s level of socialization and behavior is not always black and white, particularly for feral cats that recognize their caregiver. They will get closer to humans, and also exhibit comfortable behavior such as meowing, rubbing their heads on objects nearby humans, or rolling on their backs. Stray cats tend to live by themselves, while feral cats usually live in colonies with other feral cats. You can use the section above to help you with that. However, you will be able to spot a stray cat during the day time. Place your hand over your cat's left side, right behind his/her front leg. “If it comes and rubs on your leg or meows at you, it’s a house cat,” says Jessica Gotthold, CEO of The National Foundation for Animal Rescue. Like us on Facebook to see similar stories, University of Maryland, family settle in athlete death, New York’s COVID death rate falls slightly, but state still wrestling with ‘limited supply’ of vaccines: Cuomo. Do these things and the feral cats will come! Feral cats are usually crepuscular and most active at dawn and dusk. They don’t need to be rescued. For instance, … A cat that’s friendly and comfortable around people, on the other hand, is definitely domesticated. If you see a cat out roaming at night, it is most likely feral. Male feral cats on average have a wandering distance of 25 acres, but some travel up to 740 acres on a regular basis. Stray cats tend to live by themselves, while feral cats usually live in colonies with other feral cats. It’s important to know the difference between a feral cat versus a stray cat since the behavior can vary widely between the two. A feral cat is one which has had little or no contact with human beings, and therefore will run if approached. Can a cat cycle in … A dried-out flea and worm collar suggest the animal has been away from home for some time. Before you know it, your shelter will show signs of use and that’s a guaranteed warm, fuzzy feeling. In colder climates, it tends to occur when the seasons change to spring and fall; and in warmer climates, it tends to concentrate around the summer months. They don’t want to become pets or live in houses. This is when the top of one of their ears has been removed after they have been neutered by a vet. A feral cat is not likely to ever become a lap cat or enjoy living indoors. The presence of either one indicates that the cat in question is not a feral cat. After you have attended to the cat’s essential needs, try to locate the owner, if you can. Some are extremely fearful of people and may flee when they see people or when people try to approach them. I'm a North Carolina-raised, pet loving enthusiast who has always had a fascination with everything cats. Feral cats are usually awake at night, as cats are naturally nocturnal animals. Usually, the two main factors that you do want to think about if you want to understand feral kitten behavior is the following: If they survive as a kitten, the average lifespan of a feral cat is 2 years. However, a feral cat is a cat that has lived away from humans for its entire life. Some lost or stray domesticated cats, however, won’t be that comfortable with you right away. A cat that has been “ ear-tipped,” for example, is almost certainly feral. An abandoned cat, sometime referred to as a stray cat, will be much more open to human contact. Through daily feedings, in time they will let you know if it's acceptable to touch them. If they’ve been living outside for a while, they may have become more cautious and fearful of humans, even if they’re still struggling to survive on their own. If you are unsure about whether the cat is stray or feral, you can call the Cats … I am a member of Amazon Affiliate program which means on some pages I will be advertising and linking to Amazon.com where I earn a comission from qualifying purchases. See if the cat approaches you. A feral cat will rarely meow, whereas a stray cat might meow if it feels comfortable. The post Feral vs. Ferals are most often found living outdoors in groups known as colonies. Pamela Weintraub is a veteran journalist specializing in psychology, life sciences, and culture. Ferals live in the wild, or on the streets in urban areas, and have learned to fend for themselves in dangerous environments. The experts agree that food should not be placed inside of the cat shelter. Stray Cat: Here’s How to Tell the Difference appeared first on Reader's Digest. If someone comes forward claiming the cat, however, be careful. A cat that has been “ear-tipped,” for example, is almost certainly feral. Assess whether the bpm is at a healthy or below-normal level. A feral cat may belong to a larger feral colony; A stray cat may walk and behave like a house cat. Lancaster County’s feral cat population was up 60% last year, with estimates showing that there could be 84,000 feral cats in the county. Now you may be thinking to yourself: what about food? ). Not every cat living outside is lost or abandoned. Hi, I'm Jess. A feral cat usually comes out in the dark, while stray cats are active during the day. But if the cat avoids you, or runs away, it's hard to tell. Feral cats go into heat less frequently—usually around twice per year. Take her to a vet, if she’s obviously sick or injured. Stand or sit near the cat and see if it approaches you on its own. A cat’s behavior towards people can be a big indicator of whether or not a cat is a stray. While feral cats probably live in a colony of feral cats, stray cats will often live alone and may even look malnourished as they are … “Sit outside with them, even if you can’t touch them,” says Doreen Kaminski, a longtime volunteer with Whiskers Pet Rescue in Southbury, Connecticut. How to tell if a cat is feral There are a few key signs to look for when determining whether a cat is feral. Because a female cat can become pregnant as young as 16 weeks of age and go on to have two or three litters a year, the feral cat population -- and the problems associated with it -- grows and perpetuates. Feral cats are the same breed and have the exact same genetic make up as domesticated home cats, There is an estimated 80 million feral cats living in the United States. Alley Cat Allies does not, in general, recommend trying to socialize a feral kitten over 4 months of age. Feral vs. If you see a cat late at night when the outdoor cats should go home, or you see fresh paw prints from in the snow or ground in the early morning, that is most likely a stray cat. Show full articles without "Continue Reading" button for {0} hours. Here are some guidelines on how you can help. Some cat experts consider it to be a “thumbs up” in cat lingo. Usually the main way you can tell is to see the size of her teats. Pinking Up. “Bring food out, earn their trust.” These before and after pictures of rescue cats will melt your heart. An abandoned cat that is forced to live in the wild for an extended period of time may become a feral cat. The difference between stray and feral cats While stray and feral cats share some commonalities there is … I made this website with the purpose of writing everything I know about cats, as well as sharing pictures of my cat Milo. Buy your own copy of The Meaning of Meow to learn more about your kitty. 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