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What Do You Do When a Random Cat Comes To Your House?

If a random cat shows up at your house you may be curious or trying to work out what to do with it.

What do you do when a random cat comes to your house?

Feeding a new cat will, understandably, make them feel safe in your yard. But remember, they are now relying on you and are less likely to hunt for their own food. If you want to feed and care for this cat but don’t really want him/her to live at your home, consider making a feeding station in your yard.

So, now you have an idea of what to do. But, should you really be feeding stray cats? How can you tell if the cat is truly a stray cat or not? What is a free-range cat? Keep reading for these answers, and so much more…

Should you feel guilty taking this random cat inside?

First, don’t feel guilty if you decide to take the feisty feline in. Most likely, he/she has been dumped by someone who no longer wanted them.

Cats are not nearly as needy as dogs (Click here if your cat ate dog food); they can hunt for themselves and are highly independent. However, if you adopt the cat, make sure that you put the responsibility of caring for him/her fully.

What could cause a random cat to come to your house?

Cats are attracted to a house, building, or area for several different reasons, but very often it’s because there’s food involved.

Shelter from bad weather

Circumstances might lead cats to your door, they might need shelter from bad weather or they may have found themselves in trouble with other animals and want to feel safe. But more often than not they might be looking for food.

There are also lots of superstitions that say that cats are omens of good luck and they have the ability to feel whether there is peace or positive energy in a place. They often choose to go to places where they can find peace and spiritual growth.

So when a cat wants to get into your house, it may be because you have very positive energy, which they need at the time.

Should you feed stray cats?

There have been many discussions on whether it is better to feed stray cats or not. Since your cat can’t speak, humans must provide help and welfare. Some say, helping them get neutered would be the best first step, but that depends on your beliefs.

Why do some people spay or Neuter stray cats?

In addition to stopping pregnancy, spaying prevents potential infections of the uterus and ovaries. Neutering, on the other hand, can help spraying and marking behaviors, as well as testicular cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of the prostate gland). Plus, it can help feral, or stray cats coexist with other cats.

How can you stop your neighbor’s cat from coming around?

Whether it’s a roof or the edge of a wall, cats can climb practically anywhere. But there are several ways to prevent them from entering your property and there are even ways to lessen their success in getting in if they do.

Some ideas are:

• Microchipped Cat Flaps (Click here for my best one)
• Well contained gardens with a high fence
• Cat repellents

Why don’t most feral cats trust humans?

Feral cats can be wary of people as they are not used to human contact, but they don’t have much trouble adapting to living in the close confines of an urban household for as long.

Not being domesticated, most feral cats become nervous about human contact. They may learn to trust a few key human carers but are wary of anyone they don’t know well.

So, can you gain the trust of a feral cat?

Feral cats are not used to being handled by people so you might find it hard to pick them up or carry them.

But not all lost cats are feral, some are strays and do not act aggressively when approached by humans. This means that they may have the potential to be petted.

Why would a stray cat decide to seek out human attention?

Although it’s very exciting to find a new animal, remember that the cat may also find your house exciting. Stray cats will sometimes yearn for human interaction.

Some cats were born with a sense of adventure. If you’re one of the lucky ones, your cat may just show up on your doorstep begging for attention or food. Other times, outdoor cats end up on the streets only after their families decide to move away or leave them behind at a shelter.

If your cat disappears for periods of time and then shows up on your doorstep asking for food, this could mean that he is a stray looking for a home. Some stray cats are former indoor cats who decided that the great outdoors was where they wanted to make a home.

What is the difference between a stray and a Feral cat?

Stray cats used to be someone’s pet, but have since lived on the streets, and are very afraid of people. They need TLC, are hungry, injured, or sick.

They are generally vaccinated and treated for any illnesses they have. Abandoned cats are often unable and unprepared to survive on the street and resort to begging for food. In many instances, they will approach people, but will still run at the first chance.

Feral cats are animals who have never belonged to anyone, and as such, are much more difficult to tame should you take them into your home. They will run from humans unless food is present.

How can you tell if the cat is a stray or not?

If your cat is coming around regularly but still looks well-fed and groomed it may not be a stray. Check if he/she has a collar or a microchip and have a look at messages in the neighborhood for lost cats.

Stray cats are usually thin, mangy, and dirty. They visibly appear to have scruffy fur and claws that look more like spikes instead of real nails.

They are usually friendly toward humans and are hostile toward other animals, which is actually a little odd in cat behavior terms.

What is a free-range cat?

A free-range cat is described as being able to roam wherever it pleases within its environment and return to its home at will. They often maintain their wild instincts and will hesitate to approach humans.

The term free-range cat is usually applied to adult cats or kittens and is commonly used in contrast to feral cats who are generally older and more established.

Free-range cats are not your ordinary cats, for they have lived a gauntlet of adventures and challenges that most domesticated cats would never understand.

What if you are not a cat fan, and it turns up at your door?

Are you allergic? Do you work long hours (Click here to see if your cat worries)? Does your home have enough room for a second cat? If so, a stray cat coming to your door sounds like a real nightmare. You don’t have the heart to make him/her go away but you can’t keep him either. So, what can you do?

Here are some ideas:

• Ask your neighbors or check local information, the cat might just be lost
• Check with your friends and see if anyone might be interested in adopting a cat
• Contact local shelters or rescue groups, they might be able to help