Feral or Abadoned cat?

Ok i have this feral kitten who wanders around just outside my house (lawn,garage etc). He gets into the house but doesnt really stay long. I feed him but doesn't seem to tame in a way that I can pet or carry him. He appears and follows me only when he is hungry. Aside from that he is quite a snob.


Then another female feral cat comes along. A year old maybe more. I have seen her wander around the neighborhood, but never near our house. I didnt mind her at all. Besides, I have my own feral kitten to deal with. Then one day I was feeding this usual feral kitten, when she appeared.

She scared off the kitten. The kitten took off. SHe was noisy and Im pretty sure she was asking for food. So I gave her some food. She was really hungry. After that she was so sweet and all.


Now, my question is how come that other feral cat was friendlier than the kitten that I have been feeding for months??? The other cat was so tame, I could pet and even carry her the first time I fed here. Now, she is following me whereever I go.

She is also pregnant. And oh.. falling hairs. No bald patches though. I'll add pictures later

Originally Posted by skorpion

Now, my question is how come that other feral cat was friendlier than the kitten that I have been feeding for months??? The other cat was so tame, I could pet and even carry her the first time I fed here. Now, she is following me whereever I go.

She is also pregnant.

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Because she is pregnant, and she understands her best chance is to please herself in somewhere.
Cats who wants to please themselves in ARE doing such things!
So it is not at all sure she is THAT friendly in everyday living.

You were friendly to one cat, you gave her food, was friendly and nice, not threatening at all - so you are a hot candidate for helping her and her babies, she hopes.

If you have any plan to help her - please do it. Now is the essential contact done, it is go forward now.

So, not impossible she is semiferal. But her time is nearing.

Cats mothers are like human mothers. The most important for them is the welfare of their children. "Freedom" comes second.


Tx for caring!

Good luck!

Can you confirm if she is pregnant? Here are the shots I took a while ago.





Is that really the behavior of pregnant cats? I have some experience with pregnant feral cats who pass by our backyard but doesnt seem so sweet and approachable. The one kitten I am caring for when her mom was pregnant wasnt all that sweet and all.

Yes, she looks pregnant. Or full of worms. Feral's don't know how to be snob's , but I guess I understand what you mean. From your point of view, he just comes to you for food (I call that smart ) From his (the one that follows you for food) point of view, he is very hungry and only wants food from you, nothing more. He knows no other way, just to survive, and that means to come around you to beg for food (from a distance). He doesn't want to get closer to you, he knows nothing about human's and how great being loved can be. To him, it is all about surviving, no matter what. He was born in the wild, a feral cat. Please do what you can to contact a TNR group in your county. Also, this black female cat might be too far along to be spayed, I know that is very hard to fathom, an abortion. But it does happen, trapping female pregnant feral cats to sterilize and find out they were preggie. . If you don't get some help with all of these feral cats, there will be more being born into a life of uncertainty, disease and suffering.

The other kitten was friendlier than the cat you have been feeding for months because all feral cats have different personalities/temperaments. It also depends on if one kitten/cat has already had some type of "kind" contact with human's to speed along trusting their caregiver quicker than other's that have not had (or do not want) contact with humans. Some want to come closer and be cared for, other's just want the food and go on their way. If you can, I would start trapping and sterilizing all of these cats. You are already a colony caretaker if you are feeding these strays. So getting them spayed/neutered will only make your job easier. Thanks for caring and helping feral's

I think you got very good advice above. And it's true, feral cats have very different personalities... of the four here, two are kittens that have been around me since they were around 4 weeks old (now about 6 months), one I can pick up and play with, the other keeps his distance and will slap me if I attempt contact unless I have food, then he will lick my fingers as if he is the most gentle house cat. Good luck with them.

Yeah all of your advice are great!! I cant fathom how cat noobie I am.

Originally Posted by morningrl

I think you got very good advice above. And it's true, feral cats have very different personalities... of the four here, two are kittens that have been around me since they were around 4 weeks old (now about 6 months), one I can pick up and play with, the other keeps his distance and will slap me if I attempt contact unless I have food, then he will lick my fingers as if he is the most gentle house cat.

Good luck with them.

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Wait.. that kitten.. sonova.... Oh well will continue feeding him till he stop being smart. I'll also follow the right route and take those cats to a vet and have them neutured and spayed.

Originally Posted by skorpion

I'll also follow the right route and take those cats to a vet and have them neutured and spayed.

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YAY You are just awesome and much luck with trapping. Thank you Thank you and the kitties will thank you too, even though they won't be happy at first. They will be much better off after it is all done Much luck