If you ever fed feral cats inthe woods, what does one want exactly, when he persists in following you home?
Friday, March 19th, 2010 at
8:42 am
He had wandered across the street, acccompanying the previous queen of the pack, but eventually she left the scene. And he remained across the street, but I brought him over to share the general meal, with milk. After a while, he started following me across the street, going back to my house.
He doesnt seem to fit in with the rest of the cats, and is twice as big as all of them. He has a sister, but I havent seen her recently. I dont know how to play with him, and he tangles my feet when I walk with him. God, he keeps crossing right in front of my feet, and every once in a while I step on him, and hate myself for doing that.
Filed under: Cat Behavior
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Sounds like he likes you and wants to come home with you. He may not be a feral cat and just a stray that someone didn’t want anymore which is why he is so friendly and large.
If you decide to keep him take him to the vet for a wellness exam and a neuter.
I think if you feed a cat, he wants you to feed him again. And you need to treat it as a commitment because he’ll come to expect it. If you don’t want him around, you shouldn’t give him food or attention.
BTW, cats shouldn’t drink cow’s milk. Just give them water.
First off, I’d like to say that it is NEVER a good idea to feed wild/feral animals, as they can be very unpredictable. This tom is most likely following you because you’re providing him with a free meal. If you can’t take him in (if he’s tame at all. Most feral cats cannot adapt to domestication) then you should take him to your local animal shelter where they can take care of him.
He wants fed. If he likes you why not adopt him? Most feral cats don’t live for long they get hit, attacked by dogs or die of something as simple as worms or starvation. As far as weaving between your feet, keep them low almost dragging them or pick up the kitten when you walk.
You can play with him with string or a toy tied to the end of a stick, cats also like to play in paper bags (not plastic please they can smother) some will even chase after a tennis ball rolled on the ground.
Sometimes when we least expect it a small fuzzy creature works its way into your heart.
He’s desperate for care and attention.
If you are unwilling to provide it, catch this cat and take him somewhere that will help him- don’t just leave him to suffer on his own- it’s a hard life for a cat.
He’s weaving between your steps because he thinks you’re going to help him, and he likes you & thanks you.
He’s obviously not a ‘feral’ just a stray that someone either moved & left or dumped.
He wants to be your cat.
I hope you’ll let him stay in your yard, at least, so he doesn’t risk being run over in the street.
This is not a feral animal. He is somebody’s cat who got lost or dumped. He knows about people and their homes, and he wants to come home with you. He is telling you that he is socialized, and he does not want to live outside. Please rescue him.
I will tell you a story. Years ago now, about 8 years, I did volunteer work with a cat rescue group in NYC. The group I worked with took rescued cats, got them vet care, and adopted them out through a pet supply store. But the rescue group used to go out and feed feral cats. There was this cat that they fed: A big, mostly white cat, with bursts of fur at his paws that made his paws look like those boots so popular now: Uggs. And a triangle of black across his nose and eyes. And huge, huge green eyes. He was beautiful and he was sweet. And when they would go down to feed the cats, they would be waiting. He would be in the middle of the group of waiting animals. As soon as they got there, he would lock eyes with the man carrying the food. And then his mouth would open in a meow. You couldn’t hear him for all the noise. But you could see him. This huge, really beautiful creature.
The guy tried to catch him. He seemed friendly. But in order to catch him, they had to walk into the center of the cats, which spooked everyone, and he would run as well. So months went by, and finally, the rescuers were able to lay hands on him, and take him home.
They kept him in their house for a few days, and it was clear that he was comfortable with a human environment. Then they got him to the group I volunteered with, and one of the women there got him to the vet for his shots, etc. The vet was i-m-p-r-e-s-s-e-d with this magnificent creature. If you could see him (I can see him in my mind’s eye), you would understand. He was just beautiful. And anyway, the vet assured them this was a healthy, healthy, wonderful addition to someone’s home. But when he went to check on the results of the feline leukemia test, it was positive.
Triangle was dead in a very few months. He was asymptomatic when they rescued him. Had they laid hands on him when first they saw him, he could have been saved.
If this big boy wants to be in a people home and have a person for his very own, please honor his wishes. Call a local no-kill shelter, or google "Cat Rescue" and the name of your town or county, or no-kill shelters, or go online to Petfinders.com to see who in your area will take this big guy and get him his shots and get him a home.
When he wants to come home with you, let him. You can make him a litter box out of shredded newspaper and an old tray. Give him food and water and some towels for a bed. Keep him in the bathroom or basement, and let the rescuer come pick him up, or drop him off. His is the tiniest of lives, but he is capable of love and loyalty and sweetness, and he wants to give these things to a person. There is a great deal to be said for that wish.
Please take him home with you and get him in the pipeline to a new life. Don’t let him be another Triangle.
Please.
he obviously has been a house cat at some point in time…he wants to be around humans again…find the poor thing a new home that is what he wants
I woulnd’t call him feral,he sounds like a stray. Ferals don’t want to be anywhere near humans, and will run if you make eye contact.
He sounds like he’s wanting human attention. I hope he isn’t going to get hurt in traffic crossing roads like that.