How to tame wild cats?

Source: Independent

Wild cats play an important ecological role in controlling populations and the health of the animals they prey upon. Protecting wildlife and their habitat is critical to protecting the wider environment, including the mountains, plateaus, wetlands and deserts where they live.

Let's travel into the world of the wildcat to learn more about its nature

Wild cats are different from stray cats. Stray cats are usually the product of a person’s irresponsibility. Irresponsibility could be defined in two ways when it comes to strays:  dumping a cat to fend for itself and/or neglecting to spay and neuter their cats. Stray cats can be timid, but are often easily tamed. Feral cats are cats that were probably born to wild parents and are wild themselves. Feral cats have had no human interaction and are very difficult to tame. 

African Wild Cat

Because feral cats are difficult to tame, thus making them undesirable indoor pets, there are many rescue organizations that are dedicated to the trapping and spaying and neutering of feral cat colonies. Many times, these organizations trap the cats, have them spayed and neutered and then release them near where they were originally found. Then, they dedicate themselves to providing food to these colonies. 

Feral cats are everywhere. You can find feral cats in rural or farm areas, abandoned buildings and even parks and alleyways.  You might catch a glimpse of them, but chances are that you would not be able to catch them easily.  After all, they have not been around humans so any contact would make them shy away from you. If you have feral cats in your neighborhood, you may wonder whether these animals can be kept as pets.

Taming a feral cat can be a difficult proposition simply because they are not accustomed to humans. Depending on the level of their interactions with humans, some cats might be classified as semi-feral, total feral or even a converted feral cat.  Depending on what your cat is classified dictates your potential success in socializing it. In addition, it takes a lot of time, love and patience to tame these cats.

If you find a cat that is has been feral for a years, chances are that there is little to no chance of socializing it. With no human contact at all, these cats are overly independent and would never depend on a human for food or companionship. You might have better success with a cat that is semi-feral. In these instances, they have had some limited human contact. A converted feral cat would probably have the best chance at a normal life as someone’s pet. These cats were once domesticated, meaning that they probably started life as a pet and then was abandoned. The converted feral cat will more than likely eventually respond to human interactions such as love and affection.

Scottish wildcat [Image CC 2.0 credit Chris parker, Flickr http://bit.ly/1oMZwhH]

If you want to attempt to tame a feral cat, remember that it can be hard work reaching out to the feral cat and getting them to trust you after being on their own. Sometimes, your efforts will not pay off for months, especially with older cats. If your attempts are a success, the rewards are well worth it because a strong bond can develop and loyalty and love is the reward.  

If you believe you have the time and the love to attempt to tame a feral, there are some things to remember. First, these cats see you as an intruder and are very likely to spit, hiss, bite and claw. This is a normal response as they are defending themselves against a perceived predator – you. If they manage to get in a few bites or scratches, you should apply first aid immediately. After you have successfully trapped a feral cat, your very first step is to get it to the vet for spay or neuter and to check for any diseases it may carry. This is a necessary step and an absolute must if you have other pets in the house. After you have arrived home with your cat, you need to let it adjust to you and the surroundings by giving it a small, safe place to stay. Allow the cat to stay in a small bathroom or laundry room, where it does not feel overwhelmed. You will need to take time every day to spend time with the cat and allow the cat to adjust to you.

Remember, not all feral cats can be socialized; however with love and patience, your time and efforts may be worthwhile. One of the way is to build outdoor house for wild cats. 

Providing shelter is a great way to keep cats safe from the elements and can help you monitor their ongoing well-being. There are several options available for feral cat shelters. Below are just some of those options.

One of the best features of this cat house, especially in terms of safety, is that it is elevated. This also means that the cat house will protect your cat from the cold and damp ground when it rains, as long as it stays inside.

The cat house is a very cute addition to this list, as the wood and asphalt construction with the finish looks absolutely stunning. Not only do the materials make a good weatherproof house - it also makes a good looking cat house. The shelter even comes with its own flower box, which you can decorate with flowers if you really want to take advantage of its adorable aesthetic.

While looking at the cat house you might think it is a difficult product to assemble, it is actually quite simple. The instructions are clear, so you can expect to assemble it in an hour and a half or maybe less.

Customers have complained that there is no varnish on the wood surfaces and that it is not completely waterproof. They also don't like the fact that the product doesn't come with insulation. For this reason, it's a better idea to keep it at least partially covered.

If you buy one of these and want it to last for a very long time, consider giving it a coat or two of varnish yourself.

Wild cats in winter gravitate to warm places. Before starting your car, give the hood of your car a few taps to make sure that a cat has not hidden underneath the car or inside the engine for warmth.

Do not use antifreeze, which is toxic and deadly, in an area accessible to cats. Refrain from using salt or chemicals to melt snow. These can be lethal when licked off paws or ingested from melting puddles. They also hurt cats’ paw pads. Spaying and neutering improves cats' overall health, and healthier cats are better equipped for the cold elements.