Hi everyone, I have always had cats growing up but me and my partner have decided we now want our own cat. I want to adopt our new fur baby and we have found one that we like, she is sort of feral in the sense she hasn’t always lived in a home (the rescue doesn’t think so anyway) but has been living at the rescues house for many months. You can stroke her fine she doesn’t hiss or scratch but is visibly nervous. I have had one scaredy cat in the past who came round pretty quickly but it was many years ago now. Just wondering on any advice or success stories people may have for adopting sort of feral cats?
New to Tattle Life? Click "Order Thread by Most Liked Posts" button below to get an idea of what the site is about:
Ive never owned a feral cat but one of mine is very nervy. We have feliway on in a few rooms which definitely helps to calm her down.
I adopted a young adult cat that had been born to a feral mum and lived feral for his first few weeks. He was homed as a farm cat living in the barn initially but went missing and presumably lived stray for months. He turned up and was brought back to rescue who decided to try him in a family home. He was quite nervy at first but took to me straight away but avoided other family members. Didn’t like being picked up or cuddled but would happily sit by my side and would follow me around the house and garden like a little dog. Slowly slowly he became a little more outgoing and gradually accepted other family members so long as they were calm around him. He was a real character, I’ve had some lovely cats but he will always be my special boy. Sadly he was hit by a car and I found him fatally injured in the garden and had to have him PTS. I loved him so much.
If you do go for an ex feral, take your time with it and let it make the first move towards you. They can make amazing pets.
If you do go for an ex feral, take your time with it and let it make the first move towards you. They can make amazing pets.
Go for it, but just be prepared for it to take a bit more time for her to adjust to changes than usual.
I got mine as a 10 week old from someone who had taken her at 8 weeks and couldn't cope as she was a bit aggressive. It took a few months to really settle her down but we got there eventually. She's almost 10yo now and love her to bits. She is a bit different from the many other cats I've had; is less tolerant of fuss and is very self sufficient; less needy/demanding of attention unlike my other one. And she is also an excellent hunter, so I'd be prepared for the many gifts that you will be bestowed
I got mine as a 10 week old from someone who had taken her at 8 weeks and couldn't cope as she was a bit aggressive. It took a few months to really settle her down but we got there eventually. She's almost 10yo now and love her to bits. She is a bit different from the many other cats I've had; is less tolerant of fuss and is very self sufficient; less needy/demanding of attention unlike my other one. And she is also an excellent hunter, so I'd be prepared for the many gifts that you will be bestowed
Thank you so much it sounds a very similar situation to this little one. Had been captured from a farm as well, no chip but isn’t aggressive towards humans so suspected may have had some contact. He sounds like he was an amazing boy and im sorry you lost him in the way that you did.
Thank you for your advice, I really appreciate it definitely will let them come to us. Hopefully it all works out!
Hahaha we live around lots of fields so not looking forward to the presents! It sounds like she was a character, but how amazing you took the chance on her and have given her such a lovely life! I’m really excited and definitely prepared to have some patience with it!Go for it, but just be prepared for it to take a bit more time for her to adjust to changes than usual.
I got mine as a 10 week old from someone who had taken her at 8 weeks and couldn't cope as she was a bit aggressive. It took a few months to really settle her down but we got there eventually. She's almost 10yo now and love her to bits. She is a bit different from the many other cats I've had; is less tolerant of fuss and is very self sufficient; less needy/demanding of attention unlike my other one. And she is also an excellent hunter, so I'd be prepared for the many gifts that you will be bestowed
Good shout! Forgot that these exist, will get some ordered now thank you!
We have one who is very nervous, we are not sure of her early days but it’s clear there was some neglect or mistreatment of some kind.
She’s been with us 6 months now and doesn’t hide, likes a cuddle (on her terms) and enjoys being on a warm bed.
Sounds like this one isn’t fully ferral so I would go for it! Are you going to let her outside?
She’s been with us 6 months now and doesn’t hide, likes a cuddle (on her terms) and enjoys being on a warm bed.
Sounds like this one isn’t fully ferral so I would go for it! Are you going to let her outside?
Aw I’m so pleased she’s now enjoying your company!! So hoping for the same outcome. No she’s not fully feral can definitely touch her and stroke her without any scratches or hissing but still visibly scared. Not going outside anytime soon, if she starts to express an interest then will go from there but not keen on letting her roam freely as we live on quite a busy road, thinking at least the 6months to first year or so inside definitely!
I really hope you take the plunge!
My partner found our cat as a kitten one night on a bypass (no homes around). He was a tiny white thing and only about 4 weeks old as guestimated by the vet.
Milo grew up to be incredibly shy and very much a homebody. He didn’t like people in the house and would hide if we had visitors.
We also had him on a routine so he never spent a night outside but slept in the kitchen with the dogs.
I think the rescue would probably be able to give you the best advice in regards to the cats personality but be assured as he/she relaxes in your company they will blossom
My partner found our cat as a kitten one night on a bypass (no homes around). He was a tiny white thing and only about 4 weeks old as guestimated by the vet.
Milo grew up to be incredibly shy and very much a homebody. He didn’t like people in the house and would hide if we had visitors.
We also had him on a routine so he never spent a night outside but slept in the kitchen with the dogs.
I think the rescue would probably be able to give you the best advice in regards to the cats personality but be assured as he/she relaxes in your company they will blossom
I had a cat that I assumed was feral. He walked in the house one day and never left 
He was very cautious/scared around people and was very vicious to begin with. He softened over the years and stopped biting and scratching every time anyone went near him, but he wasn’t a cat that would come and cuddle up to you. He was always home during the day but liked to go out at night. We assumed he’d either been abused or never had a home. We lost him two years ago now and miss him very much!
He was very cautious/scared around people and was very vicious to begin with. He softened over the years and stopped biting and scratching every time anyone went near him, but he wasn’t a cat that would come and cuddle up to you. He was always home during the day but liked to go out at night. We assumed he’d either been abused or never had a home. We lost him two years ago now and miss him very much!
My cat was semi-feral, it’s a lot of work but very rewarding as well.
my advice is to have lots of places to hide and vantage points up high. My cat has a few in every room. They like to have their backs to a wall and be able to see out. My cat loves being on the windowsill with the curtain tucked up under his paws like a sling. Under the sofa with a jacket or blanket in front draped down. A soft blanket in the under bed drawer. Mine is always on top of the fridge, the kitchen cabinets, the boiler.. always watching
Ignoring them at first when you enter a room can be good - it feels rude like you’re ignoring them but actually feeling invisible makes them secure. Let them say hello to you first.
if they show signs of aggression immediately turning your back to them works wonders. Exit the room like that if you can. Anytime they show anger/aggression, read it as fear and ask yourself why they might be scared.
Play very gently as they might not really know how and build it up, call time before they get worked up and confused.
It’s a huge learning curve but you will all learn together, best of luck x
eta: photo
my advice is to have lots of places to hide and vantage points up high. My cat has a few in every room. They like to have their backs to a wall and be able to see out. My cat loves being on the windowsill with the curtain tucked up under his paws like a sling. Under the sofa with a jacket or blanket in front draped down. A soft blanket in the under bed drawer. Mine is always on top of the fridge, the kitchen cabinets, the boiler.. always watching
Ignoring them at first when you enter a room can be good - it feels rude like you’re ignoring them but actually feeling invisible makes them secure. Let them say hello to you first.
if they show signs of aggression immediately turning your back to them works wonders. Exit the room like that if you can. Anytime they show anger/aggression, read it as fear and ask yourself why they might be scared.
Play very gently as they might not really know how and build it up, call time before they get worked up and confused.
It’s a huge learning curve but you will all learn together, best of luck x
eta: photo
Attachments
Last edited:
We have one cat who was feral, and I mean proper feral - wouldn't let you touch her at first.
First thing is be prepared for it to take a while for your cat to settle in. We have a few animals and our pets are pros are socialising with newbies now, but our feral cat took about a year to be honest. Even now she often runs away from us. We also had her in a cage in the lounge for a good few months - this was suggested by the rescue I volunteer at, basically it means the cat can see you and get to know you but also has the safety of their own space that you're not going into. This also means they can't hide behind sofas etc though. I would really recommend it to be honest. It feels a bit cruel but it isn't.
Good luck, just be patient and persevere and it will be fine in the end. I have to say even though our little girl is still really timid it is so rewarding when she climbs up on the bed with us now, or I see her curled up with one of the others.
First thing is be prepared for it to take a while for your cat to settle in. We have a few animals and our pets are pros are socialising with newbies now, but our feral cat took about a year to be honest. Even now she often runs away from us. We also had her in a cage in the lounge for a good few months - this was suggested by the rescue I volunteer at, basically it means the cat can see you and get to know you but also has the safety of their own space that you're not going into. This also means they can't hide behind sofas etc though. I would really recommend it to be honest. It feels a bit cruel but it isn't.
Good luck, just be patient and persevere and it will be fine in the end. I have to say even though our little girl is still really timid it is so rewarding when she climbs up on the bed with us now, or I see her curled up with one of the others.
Aw thank you for your reply! I was actually thinking the same, I’ve bought a tall cat tree and placed it out the way behind the tv as thought this might be a safe space as nobody walks past! Getting her on Sunday! Can’t wait!!My cat was semi-feral, it’s a lot of work but very rewarding as well.
my advice is to have lots of places to hide and vantage points up high. My cat has a few in every room. They like to have their backs to a wall and be able to see out. My cat loves being on the windowsill with the curtain tucked up under his paws like a sling. Under the sofa with a jacket or blanket in front draped down. A soft blanket in the under bed drawer. Mine is always on top of the fridge, the kitchen cabinets, the boiler.. always watching
Ignoring them at first when you enter a room can be good - it feels rude like you’re ignoring them but actually feeling invisible makes them secure. Let them say hello to you first.
if they show signs of aggression immediately turning your back to them works wonders. Exit the room like that if you can. Anytime they show anger/aggression, read it as fear and ask yourself why they might be scared.
Play very gently as they might not really know how and build it up, call time before they get worked up and confused.
It’s a huge learning curve but you will all learn together, best of luck x
eta: photo
Thank you for your advice, I’m going to set up a camp in one room for now which the rescue recommended and then slowly add more rooms as she gets used to everything. I’m going to get a crate as well that sounds a great idea we live in an old house so quite w lot of places to hide!