Feral Cat or Stray Cat?

A feral cat – also known as a community cat – has never had contact with humans or prior contact has diminished over time. A feral cat is wary of humans, but feral kittens can be socialized and adopted into homes at an early age. A feral may exhibit friendliness to a caregiver such as sitting on the porch or putting a tail up in recognition. This does not mean however that the cat is an ideal candidate for indoor living. Its home is outside with freedom and independence.

A stray cat on the other hand has been socialized to people at some point in its life but lost its indoor home and dependency on humans. Depending on how long the cat has been homeless, it can become feral as contact with humans begin to dwindle or become an indoor pet again under the right circumstances. Of course, there will be an adjustment period as the cat reacclimates to being around people again in a home setting.

TELLING THE DIFFERENCE

Behavior will dictate if the cat is feral or stray. If an unknown stray approaches or does not shy away from touch, then it is not feral. Stray cats may be cautious though and act accordingly depending on the situation. Here are guidelines from Feral Cat FOCUS Inc. to differentiate between a feral and a stray:

Socialization to Humans

Stray: May approach people, houses, porches, cars

Feral: Will not approach and likely hide to avoid people

Socialization to Other Cats

Stray: Will likely live alone

Feral: May belong to a colony

Body Language

Stray: May walk with tail up—a sign of friendliness

Stray: Will probably look at you, blink, or make eye contact

Feral: May crawl, crouch, and protect body with tail

Feral: Unlikely to make eye contact

Vocalization

Stray: May be vocal, meow, or “answer” your voice

Feral: Won’t meow, beg, or purr

Schedule

Stray: Will be visible primarily during the daytime

Feral: More likely to be nocturnal; occasionally out during the day

Physical Appearance

Stray: Will probably be dirty or disheveled

Stray: Will not have an ear tip

Feral: Will probably have a clean, well-kept coat

Feral: Will likely have an eartip if neutered as part of a TNR program

Pregnancy, Nursing, Kittens

Feral: A female who is pregnant or lactating is more likely to be feral, since only two percent of feral cats are neutered in the U.S.

Touch Barrier

Stray: It may be possible to touch the cat eventually

Feral: Cannot be touched, even by a caregiver

A friendly stray may act like a feral if caught in a trap, an extremely stressful event. Here are guidelines from Feral Cat FOCUS Inc. to distinguish between a feral and a stray when confined:

Cage Behavior

Stray: May come to the front of the cage

Stray: May eventually rub against the cage in a friendly way

Feral: Will likely stay in the back of the cage and retreat as far back as possible

Feral: If jolted or frightened, may shake, rattle, or climb the cage, and could become injured banging into the cage

Level of Relaxation

Stray: May relax over time

Feral: Will remain tense and unsocial

Responsiveness

Stray: May investigate toys or food placed near the cage

Feral: ill not show any familiarity or interest in household sounds

Fear and Anxiety

Stray: May hiss or growl to show anxiety

Feral: Will be aggressive and lash out if threatened or cornered (signs of aggression include ears back and eyes dilated)

We have a heartfelt appreciation for the trappers in San Diego County who selflessly dedicate their lives to maintaining colonies or trapping to spay or neuter, the only humane way to stop, or prevent, the birth of domesticated and undomesticated litters. Feral cat overpopulation continues to be a significant problem in the region, so thank you for your efforts to reduce the numbers born the wild. You’re our heroes!

For more information on getting your CAT spayed or neutered visit www.snap-sandiego.org

Article by Maryjane Garcia, SNAP grant writer

Photos by Dorell Sackett, SNAP Director