Stray Cats: Feral, Suspicious,
Friendly or Clinging?
What type of personality does your new stray
cat have?
MetPet.com Staff Writer
 Once you have determined that the new cat in your yard is truly a
stray, you will want to catch him and take him to the vet for
tests, neutering and care.
First decide where the cat's personality and
demeanor lie on the Feral to
Clinging scale:
Feral - This is a cat who has reverted back to a wild
state. It was likely born to a stray cat and did not become
used to humans when young. This cat rarely comes within
yards of you and slinks or runs off when you call or move towards
it. Feral cats are difficult, and sometimes impossible, to
turn into a house pet but they can still benefit from human care.
Suspicious - This cat has some ease with humans and may
creep forward to sniff your hand before turning tail and fleeing. It could be a
pet who has had bad experiences that has frightened it and made it
wary.
Feral and Suspicious cats are likely to pass
through the neighborhood unless someone provides them a constant
supply of food and water. These are cats that can be fed for
years without ever coming within yards of a human. Even
though it looks like lack of gratitude, it is simply fear,
frightening past experiences or lack of understanding that makes
them keep their distance. You will probably get one chance to
catch these cats in a live trap so you need to set up a temporary
holding area, a vet appointment and a holding area for recovery if
surgery is required.
Friendly - This cat will come up to you, rub against your
legs, let you pet him and maybe even pick him up. It is likely a
pet that was left by its previous family, wandered from home and
became confused, is heading back to a former home or perhaps
hitched a ride in an open car or truck. Since he is still
friendly, he is probably recently lost or abandoned.
Clinging - This is the cat that desperately wants a
new home. It may show up at your back door banging or
rubbing its head against it and mewing to be let in. When
you open the door, this is the cat that races inside and refuses
to go back out. Once inside, this cat wants to curl up
against your neck, sleep in your lap, follow you everywhere or
hide underneath everything. This cat may be very young and
recently lost or abandoned. This cat may also be starving or
hurt and in desperate need of attention.
Friendly and Clinging cats will stick around as
long as there is a reliable supply of food and water and a
hospitable environment. Since you can pick up and place
these cats into a carrier at any time, you can make a vet
appointment at your convenience.
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