How to tame a stray (wild) cat?

I have two cats indoors. A stray cat appeared at my house 2-3 months ago. It took me a couple of weeks before it would let me pet it. I have been feeding it, gave it a bed inside my screened in deck. I'm concerned about winter coming. I would like to bring it in the house, but it hisses and claws at my other two house cats so I don't let it in? How do I handle this and what do I do?

I'll move this to the Strays and Ferals forum for you

I think if I were you I would try and trap the Cat, most important is to take it to the Vet ASAP once you trap it,to have it spayed or neutered and shots and checked out for illness, you really don't want it around your indoor cats untill you know that it's medically ok, then you could bring it in put it in a small room alone with food, water litter pan, and then you can start letting it get used to just you, by feeding it watering it, talking to it. There are great articles on careing for, taming and so forth on this forum and others, and someone that can tell you exactley what do do and how will be around I'm sure to be of more experinced help to you. I myself have rescued 16 Feral cats and I now have 6 as pets so it can be done. Thanks You for careing about this Cat and the best of Luck.

Originally Posted by gbriston

I have two cats indoors. A stray cat appeared at my house 2-3 months ago. It took me a couple of weeks before it would let me pet it. I have been feeding it, gave it a bed inside my screened in deck. I'm concerned about winter coming. I would like to bring it in the house, but it hisses and claws at my other two house cats so I don't let it in? How do I handle this and what do I do?

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Gwen...I agree with halfpint...please trap this cat first and take it to the vet to be checked over. If it isn't spayed/neutered, I would have that done as well as bring it up to date on shots. Most cat introductions take time and if this cat lived most of it's life outdoors, it is probably used to having unfriendly encountered with other cats. But before you make any determination of whether to bring this cat indoors...please take it to the vet.

Katie

Have to agree with the other posts...neuter or spay the cat & get it checked for any medical problems. I will add this though & it is just my opinion...some outside/feral/stray...whatever term you wish to use...shouldn't be tamed or brought in as inside cats. Some of these ferals/strays have ALWAYS lived outside & that is their life. To bring them inside to try & tame them into cuddly cats is doing them an injustice. The best thing you can do for them is to trap/neuter/spay/release. You can care for them on the outside...shelter for the colder months, fresh food & water daily...and with some time & patience, you may be able to pet them, etc.

I have been caring for a colony for a few years now...in my backyard & as sweet as some of them are...I wouldn't dream of "taming" them to have them live inside.

If you would like...please PM me and I will send a pic. of the feeder I made that protects their food & also the doghouse that protects them.

Thank you all for the reponses. I can tell this cat is a very young cat. It will let me pick her up and love on her, but I don't have her full trust yet. I did plan on taking it to the vet before letting it around my other two cats. I like the idea of putting her in a room by herself until she can adapt. I am thinking someone dropped her off in the neighborhood, as she doesn't like feet at all!!! I hope someone wasn't kicking her. For sure though, it does like to be outside.

Leesali,
I don't know how to PM?? I'm new to the site. I would be interested in seeing your set up for the winter months for the cat. Thank you. You can e-mail me at [email protected]

if you don't mind leesali, i would appreciate if you could give me some tips on this too. i am going to build a cathouse in my backyard for a stray cat to live in and would like some feeding tips. thanks!

The vet is the primary goal here, after the vet has seen the cat, perhaps this article will help you


http://www.thecatsite.com/Cats/Cat_C...eral_Cats.html

Originally Posted by gbriston

Leesali,
I don't know how to PM?? I'm new to the site. I would be interested in seeing your set up for the winter months for the cat. Thank you. You can e-mail me at [email protected]

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That's a good question - just go to Leesali's post, and click on her name (it's blue & underlined) and follow the prompts.
Bless you for caring for this kitty! Since she's young, she might easily adapt to living inside. Just give her her own room & follow the tips found in this site for introducing new kitties to the rest of the clan. If it really didn't work out, then I'd consider providing her a shelter outside; in the winter, sometimes caring for a cat outside can invite other animals such as raccoons & coyotes, which can make for some disruptive nights. It sounds like she wants to be a part of a family. {{{Prayers & vibes}}} for great success on taming her! Please keep us updated on how she's coming along, and how your other kitties are doing! And pics are ALWAYS a special treat!

Yeah keep her seperated from the other cats, like her own room with litterbox,food, and toys. You may want her to be outside but during the night no cat should be outside it's more dangerous than during the day, and bad weather too I wouldnt want to be in the snow even if I had an igloo, I would prefer a nice warm house. Train her by using a clicker or get her to know your whistle.