Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and the Yahoo Answers website is now in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

rose253099 asked in PetsCats · 9 years ago

Training a semi feral cat?

I rescued a semi feral cat a couple of days ago. I'm saying semi feral because the cat will let you pick it up and pet it. But since bringing her home she has stayed hidden behind furniture, in closets, etc. Does anyone have any suggestions on things to do to make her more comfortable? And more social? She's not used to being inside at all and is clearly afraid. Thanks!

5 Answers

Relevance
  • ?
    Lv 6
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Give her time. She is used to living the life of a stray.

    Keep things simple for her.

    Speak to her in a soft,loving voice. Put your hand out to her so that she will approach you,sniff your hand and get used to your smell. Do not wear perfume.Perfume would only disguise it.

    Let her rub on things and people (especially you), as she chooses.She ill be putting her personal scent onto things. This will give her the feeling of "own" and "home"

    Feed her in the same place at the same time . She will come to associate being inside with being fed.Foremost in a cat's priorities is food.

    Make sure that her litter tray is within reasonable distance of her eating place,but not too close (cats don't care to foul their eating area). You would not care to walk for miles in order to get to the toilet.Neither would your cat.

    I hope that your cat knows how to use her litter tray. Stray cats tend to leave their "business" uncovered.

    In time,your cat will come to relax, but don't forget that like humans,cats have individual personalities. Some are extroverted and some are introverted.

    But the main factor is time. You just rescued this cat only two days ago, give her time to get used to you and the life of being a pet.How long it will take depends on the individual cat.

    Source(s): Years of having cats
  • ?
    Lv 5
    9 years ago

    Just give the cat some time to adjust to its new home. In time it will settle down, but if you pressure it too much at the moment it will be too stressed out. Cats feel safe when they hide, and from its hiding place it will study your household and learn about it. She will come out in her own good time. You should also consider allowing the cat some outdoor visits, it is very cruel to keep a cat inside all the time. They need to be in the real world, feel the sunlight, and have access to grass, trees, and dirt. If you deprive your cat access to the natural world you can end up stifling its spirit and that would be such a shame. I think the best you can do for now is to always be very gentle with the cat.

  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    It will come out of its hiding places when it's ready. A feral cat takes a bit of time before it will live soley indoors but it will get used to it eventually. Have plenty of patience.

    We saved a sick feral cat that had been outside for a long time and it turned out to be the best indoor cat you could imagine.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    that is typical cat behavior--if the cat will let you pick it up and pet it--it is not feral--just give kitty time to check out the environment and decide everything is safe--she will come to you when she is ready-little by little--cats are pretty cautious-its a survival technique!

  • 9 years ago

    I agree with the others, just give her time. Even house cats will hide if they're brought into a new home. Just give her lots of love, food and attention and she'll come round in her own time. :) Its natural.

    Source(s): Having a feral cat myself and then raising her 3 kittens.
Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.