How to Tame a Feral Cat - Bringing a Feral Cat into Your Home

Feral cats have had little to no interaction with humans. Many feral cats are born in the wild, and others have been abandoned by their owners or have become lost.[1] Regardless of their origins, feral cats are generally fearful of human interaction, and will more likely scratch or bite you than snuggle up in your lap (at least at first).[2] Because of this fear, taming a feral cat can be difficult.[3] If you have your heart set on taming a feral cat, doing so will require an abundance of time and patience.

1. Prepare a room for the feral cat. The feral cat should remain in an enclosed area until she becomes more comfortable with you and her new environment. Prepare a small and quiet room, such as a bathroom, that is away from people and other pets.[4][5] Place a litterbox, a food bowl, a water bowl, and some toys in the room.[6][7]
- Make sure the room’s windows and doors are closed to prevent her from escaping. Also, check the room for any holes or cracks where she could manage to get through.[8]
- If there are shelves in the room, remove anything that she could knock over.[9]
- Create hiding places in the room (e.g., upside-down cardboard boxes with holes cut out).[10]
- For at least the first few days, use organic potting soil as litter—the feral cat will be much familiar with this than regular kitty litter.[11]
- Light the room with a nightlight, rather than turning on the overhead light. The darkness will help the feral cat feel more secure in her new environment.[12]
- To get her accustomed to human scents, place some old pieces of clothing (e.g., socks, sweatshirts) in the room.[13]
- The feral cat will need at least a few hours to allow her to settle in.[14]

2. Place a pet carrier in the room with the trap. You will need to take the feral cat to the veterinarian to receive some much-needed veterinary care (e.g., vaccinations, dewormings, FeLV and FIV testing).[15] It will probably be easier to transport the feral cat in the carrier, rather than the trap.[16]
- Leave the carrier door open and place some blankets and treats in the carrier to make it more comfortable for her.
- Place a towel over the trap and carrier to create another safe hiding place.[17]

3. Catch the feral cat. Don’t be surprised if the feral cat bolts if you try to get near her.[18] Setting a humane live animal trap will be the only safe way for you to catch her and bring her into your home. A live animal humane trap is designed such that the door will close behind the feral cat when she steps on a panel at the bottom of the trap.[19]
- To entice her into the trap, place some tasty morsels of the food at the back of the trap.
- She may be frightened at the sound of the door closing when she steps on the panel. However, she will not be injured.[20]
- Live human traps are available online. Consider contacting your local animal shelter or animal control to inquire about borrowing a trap.[21]
- Place some comfortable bedding (towels or blankets) in the trap.

4. Feed the feral cat outdoors. Taming a feral cat should be done inside your home. However, the feral cat’s fear of human interaction presents a problem with bringing her into your home.[22] Feeding the feral cat outdoors can help her at least begin to trust you,[23] or at least trust that you will feed her.
- Feed her at the same time each day.