How to Make a Stray Cat Feel at Home

A feral cat becomes a feral cat one of two ways: it was once a house cat that, for one reason or another, got out and had to learn to fend for itself; or it was born to a feral cat mother and has always been a feral cat. Stray cats can be socialized back into indoor environments more easily if they are either very young kittens (eight weeks old or less) or were, at one time, indoor cats. You can make a stray cat feel at home over time, at a leisurely pace.

Things You'll Need

  • Cardboard boxes
  • Litter boxes
  • Cat litter
  • Soil
  • Towels or rugs
  • Food and water bowls
  • Cat food
  • Cat toys
  • Cat treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create a safe haven for the cat after having it checked by your veterinarian to make sure it is healthy. Place the cat in a small room, such a large closet or study, that can be enclosed but still has places for the cat to hide if it so desires, such as overturned boxed with holes cut into them or sheets draped over furniture. Place secure items of different heights, such as furniture or a cat tree, in there as well because the cat is likely accustomed to moving around from different heights.

    • 2

      Place a litter box filled with unscented cat litter in the room, along with another litter box filled with sandy or loam-style soil, preferably something from the area where the cat was found, as this is what the cat is likely used to relieving themselves into. Gradually mix unscented litter into the dirt litter box to get the cat used to it. Line the floor with towels or an inexpensive rug to absorb any accidents.

    • 3

      Keep food and water readily available. Try several kinds of food, both wet and dry, until you find something the cat is interested in. Consider warming the food up or giving it canned fish so it can detect the aroma.

    • 4

      Place items that have your scent and those of others in the household, including other pets, in the room so the cat gets used to the smell. Use old clothing piled in a corner of the room so as to not intimidate the cat with the unfamiliar smell. Increase the amount of clothing over the course of a few days.

    • 5

      Slowly introduce yourself to the cat. Start off with one person before introducing others as too many people will only make it more fearful. Spend a few minutes at a time, such as feeding time (it will begin to associate food with you) or cleaning up the litter or any accidents. Stay in the room for a few minutes initially and increase over time so the cat gets used to your presence and learns that you are not a threat. Let it come to you, not the other way around.

    • 6

      Add some toys ̵2; such as catnip-stuffed mice and small balls ̵2; to the room. Include a toy attached by a string and see if you can interest the cat in it by pulling on it to simulate movement. Use cat treats as a form of enticement.

    • 7

      Let the cat approach you when it is ready. After a couple of weeks, it should be acclimated to you (unless it was an older cat), and you can increase its living space, such as to the bedroom next to the closet or bathroom. Continue in this manner, always providing secure hiding places for the cat. Allow other people to be introduced to the cat, then other animals if there are any. Allow the cat free roam of the house once it appears acclimated.