Feral novice

Hi! I am desperately in need of help with a feral cat we've had living in our spare room since April. I was directed here by a web page and I'm looking forward to tips and pointers for me and Will Feral. I've had cats my whole life, presently have 4 house cats , but I've never encountered a feral cat like this. This is a HUGE project, and I don't know anyone else who has done it. In spite of me doing absolutely everything wrong the last 4 months, we have made some progress. He sometimes charges my leg and punches me. Another member said he may be trying to initiate play wrestling. I don't want to wrestle him, and he has no interest in commercial cat toys. Any thoughts on redirecting this behaviour?

Hi Mini. I myself have 15 cats, all but 4 were strays/ferals. Out of those, 3 of them had never had any human contact based on how they reacted to me. It took me a year for each one of them to be turned around and become domesticated. Two of them still have some issues and get scared very easily. My cat Sammy does tend to play too roughly and when that happens I firmly say. "No, no"! , and then leave the room for a bit, and then go back to pet him. As I said, it took a year and a lot of patience to tame them. Remember to make no sudden moves or noises, and be very gentle. Let him initiate contact, don''t force yourself on him. You said you got him in April..maybe you need to start over and slowly introduce yourself. Also, he should have a place in the room where he can hide..that is essential. For the longest time, all I saw were my cats eyes until they felt safe enough to come out.

It is a lot of work and takes time, but to me it was worth it. Good luck and send me a message if you have any questions.

Thank you, Sandy. Will Feral does have a safe place, under the bed, which I have never disturbed. Thanks for telling me that it took a year for your cats. I have to remind myself that its only been four months. Two weeks ago I managed to trick him into the cat carrier and he got neutered and dewormed. This punching just started since then. He rubs himself on my arm when I put his food out and seems happy to see me. When I try and leave he follows me and punches my leg with a soft paw. Does he want me to stay? When I sit down on the floor, he gets low to the ground, slinks up to me and hits me. Is he just feeling me, like when my house cats come across something unfamiliar? Do you play with your feral cats? Or just sit and pat them? I feel like I'm taming a raccoon or something, Lol.

Hi, I've had feral for about 4 mo now, Marty like to bite my ankles, and starts to bite me when I am trying to go to sleep, 1st time cat owner

Hi Marty! I have the same problem with my feral cat. When I go to feed him he punches my leg and has bitten me (gently). It was suggested that he's trying to initiate wrestling play. This is the only way they know to socialize. I'm trying to redirect him with a wiggly string type toy, or a laser pointer. I'm impressed that you have him in your room for sleeping. My guy is still in the spare room. You might want to put him in his own room for night. Or try tiring him out with play before bed. Be careful about over stimulating him. Feral cats will bite or scratch when they've had enough. Sometimes without any warning. Once when I was playing with Will Feral, he just stopped and charged me!

We have 8 kitties indoors (all feral rescues) and 11 active in the TNR colony outside. One of the indoor kitties (Billy) does that "punching" as does one of the outdoor cats (Baloo). They both do it when I'm walking past or leaving, and they both do it because they want attention. Now whether it's a pat (Baloo can take very little petting before getting overstimulated, whereas Billy I can now hold like a baby :lol3: ) or play that they want is something I'm still guessing at - and don't always get it right. Sometimes Baloo just wants me to sit there with him, while he enjoys a sun puddle. :rub:

Billy plays with the indoor cat toys we have. Baloo is terrified of wand toys, but loves to chase sticks and pine cones if I throw them. :lol3:

mini lowen said:

Hi! I am desperately in need of help with a feral cat we've had living in our spare room since April. I was directed here by a web page and I'm looking forward to tips and pointers for me and Will Feral. I've had cats my whole life, presently have 4 house cats , but I've never encountered a feral cat like this. This is a HUGE project, and I don't know anyone else who has done it. In spite of me doing absolutely everything wrong the last 4 months, we have made some progress. He sometimes charges my leg and punches me. Another member said he may be trying to initiate play wrestling. I don't want to wrestle him, and he has no interest in commercial cat toys. Any thoughts on redirecting this behaviour?

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I've got no advice as I have no experience with ferals but....did you say "Will Feral"?!  That's so clever!!  

Thank you LDG! He doesn't respond at all to commercial cat toys. The pine cone is a great idea. Breakthrough! He now lets me scratch the top of his head and he purrs! We have a cuddle every time I bring the food in. I tease him and say, "you love me, Will Feral. You want to marry me. ". He purrs and purrs. Since then the punching has stopped. You're right he wanted attention and didnt know how to ask.
Betseygee, we are happy he's a male, if he was female it would have been Feral Streep. Can you imagine!?!