Feral cats are domesticated cats that live outside, typically away from humans. They can be found in almost every corner of the world, and they can be classified into three types: converted, semi, and total feral.
Converted feral cats were once domesticated but have been abandoned or lost and have had to learn to survive on their own. Semi-feral cats may have been outside most of their lives but have had some positive interactions with humans.
You are reading: Understanding The 3 Types Of Feral Cats
Total feral cats have never had any physical contact with humans or have had human contact diminished over time. In this article, we will take a closer look at the different types of feral cats and their characteristics.
Understanding The 3 Types Of Feral Cats
Converted Feral
Converting a feral cat into a friendly household pet can be a slow and challenging process that requires patience and commitment.
Converted feral cats were once domesticated but have been abandoned or lost and have had to learn to survive on their own. They may still be friendly towards humans and may even approach them for food.
If you want to convert a feral cat into a pet, the first step is to take them to a vet for a checkup and to be fixed. Once you bring the cat home, it’s important to let them set the pace of interaction and encourage them with food and play.
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For semi-feral cats, ignoring them may pique their curiosity and force them to make the first move. It’s also important to provide them with a place to hide when they feel overwhelmed.
Unfortunately, most converted feral cats are abandoned a second time because those wishing to tame them get impatient. However, with patience and commitment, it is possible to convert a feral cat into a loving pet.
Semi-Feral
Semi-feral cats are cats that live predominantly in a feral state but have some contact and experience with humans. They may have been outside most of their lives but have had some positive interactions with humans.
They may be shy or fearful but show some curiosity. They may approach humans for food but are unlikely to allow themselves to be touched.
Semi-feral cats are usually regularly fed in locations where food is left for no one cat in particular, and they find shelter “accidentally”, such as in farm buildings, and sometimes deliberately from humans.
If you want to tame a semi-feral cat, it is important to be patient and gentle. You may have to put a little more time and effort into forming a bond with a semi-feral cat because they are likely to be skittish and untrusting. However, with lots of love and patience, a semi-feral cat can become a loyal, devoted pet.
Total Feral
Total feral cats are cats that have never had any physical contact with humans or have had human contact diminished over time. They are unsocialized and are fearful of people. They are not likely to ever become a lap cat or enjoy living indoors.
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Total feral cats are usually born and raised in the wild, and they have learned to fend for themselves without human intervention. They are often found in colonies, which are located close to food sources and shelter.
Total feral cats are apex predators in local ecosystems, and they prey on a wide variety of both vertebrates and invertebrates. They can also impact native wildlife through predation and spreading diseases.
It is not recommended to try to tame a total feral cat, as they are not used to human contact and may become aggressive if cornered or threatened. Instead, it is best to leave them alone and let them live their lives in the wild.
FAQS
1. What are feral cats?
Feral cats are domesticated cats that live outside, typically away from humans. They often hide from people and don’t like to be touched. However, some may form bonds with those who feed them. But most of them are not friendly and are most active after dusk. They can also profusely breed and become apex predators within their range. These cats may seem harmless, but conservationists consider them to be one of the worst invasive species in the world. They impact native wildlife through predation and spreading diseases. And they can also be aggressive toward people and pets.
2. What are the three types of feral cats?
The classification system of feral cats can be broken down into three types: converted, semi, and total feral.
3. What is a converted feral cat?
Converted feral cats were once domesticated but have been abandoned or lost and have had to learn
to survive on their own. They may still be friendly towards humans and may even approach them for food.
4. What is a semi-feral cat?
Semi-feral cats are cats that live predominantly in a feral state but have some contact and experience with humans. They may be shy or fearful but show some curiosity. They may approach humans for food but are unlikely to allow themselves to be touched.
5. What is a total feral cat?
Total feral cats are cats that have never had any physical contact with humans or have had human contact diminished over time. They are unsocialized and are fearful of people. They are not likely to ever become a lap cat or enjoy living indoors.
6. Can feral cats be tamed?
Converting a feral cat into a friendly household pet can be a slow and challenging process that requires patience and commitment. Converted feral cats and semi-feral cats may be tamed with patience and gentle care. However, total feral cats are not recommended to be tamed, as they are not used to human contact and may become aggressive if cornered or threatened.
7. What should I do if I see a feral cat?
If you see a feral cat, it is best to leave them alone and let them live their lives in the wild. If you want to help, you can provide food and water for them in a safe location away from traffic. You can also contact local animal welfare organizations to see if they offer trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs to help control the feral cat population.
Source: https://petstutorial.com
Category: Cats
