With a street cat, it’s like letting a tiny explorer with a very wild background right into your living room. It’s a process that takes time, love, and a lot of compassion. Let’s guide you through how to closely bond with this furry new friend.
🐾 Slow but Steady
When you bring a street cat to your place, the first thing to keep in mind is to give it loads of time. Street cats usually don’t easily adapt to alien surroundings and, for that matter, alien people. Let such a cat have its way in looking over everything without forcing it. By giving them space, you let them first adjust to new surroundings. Don’t be quick to try to pet or pick them up but, instead, wait for them to come to you.
🧶Provide a Safe Environment
Build up a safe, quiet haven for your cat to spend time in when he’s ready to get away. This room might be small, a corner in a remote area with a bed and blankets, maybe some toys or basically anything of that sort.
Since space gives them the ability to relax and decompress from the stress of being on the move and in the streets, it’s almost like their safe haven where they can retire when overwhelmed.
🍗 Offer Tasty Treats
Food can be a good icebreaker with street cats. Give them their favorite treats or wet food. Put the food at some distance from you, and as they get used to it, slowly move it closer to you. Over time, they will associate you with good things and start to give in to trust.
😻Be patient
When working with feral or street cats, patience will do the trick. They’ve been through a lot, and their trust is not easily gained. The process might take too long – one that feels excruciating – while on some days, it feels like you do not see progress. Allow them all the time they need in order to feel safe and secure. Celebrate those small victories, such as when they first start eating in your presence or with eye contact.
👀Softly Maintain Eye Contact:
Maintaining eye contact is regarded as an aggressive behavior by cats, and this is especially so in the case of feral ones. Try gazing at them with a slightly unfocused gaze and with soft eyes. That is the cat’s way to say “I am not going to hurt you.”. You know they have begun to trust you when they blink back.
🎵 Talk softly
When you speak to the new cat, speak softly with a sweet voice, and the cat will remember your voice very well and get used to it. You can even read to them or just chat about your day; the sound of your voice will gradually be a comfort.
🐟 Get their wet food started
Given the choice, wet food is going to be way more tempting and much easier to eat for most street cats, which might not be used to dry kibble. Indeed, it is also more aromatic and helps to lure a hungry cat.
🛏️ Provide a Comfortable Bed
Provide them with a soft bed or blanket in their safe space that they can lie on. Cats have to be warm and comfortable. Give them a place to lie down feeling safe and loved. Make certain that the bed is easy to scrub because they might be a little muddy or dirty living outdoors.
🎾 Toys
Playing with your cat is also important in exercising the feline mind, allowing your pet to release both mental and physical energy. Start out by giving your cat something that they can play with on their own, like balls or stuffed-toys, and work up to interactive toys that can be used with you, like wand toys that make you a part of the game. Playing with your cat is very beneficial in that it will bond you with a cat and increase its trust with you.
💉 Vet Check-up
Immunization by a vet is a must for any street cat. It will go through a full checkup, vaccination, and any treatment it could be in need of. Vets are a trusted advisors and critical to listen to.
🧼 Introduce Grooming Gradually
Trim a long-furred outdoor cat if necessary to avoid matting and coat tangling. Begin by introducing the brush and let them smell it. Gradually and gently start brushing them for only a few seconds at a time, with lots of treats when finished. Patience is your friend here.
🛁 Bath – If It Makes Sense
Bathing a cat is an act of last resort but should be conducted if they are almost dirt-caked or have a skin condition. Use warm water and a gentle, cat-specific shampoo. Make sure the experience is as calm as possible. Cats generally don’t enjoy water, so it’s important to be gentle and quick.
🔒 Secure Your Home
Make your home an “escape-proof” environment. Check for open windows, loose window screens, or small holes that might lead to an escape The last thing you want is for them to panic and bolt before they’ve had a chance to settle in.
🐾 Litter Box Training
Make sure you have a litter box in your cat’s safe room. Street cats can very quickly learn how to use a litter box so make sure to keep it clean and away from busy house areas, and they will most likely not have any problem using it.
🛠️ Be Prepared for Setbacks
Expect setbacks such as hiding, hissing, reluctance to eat. Understandably so given their challenges. Do not let that get you down. It’s all part of the rehab process. Be patient and give them time. They will move at their own pace.
👃 Respect Their Space
Don’t make them interact. Allow your cat to come to you. If they start hiding, give them space; don’t drag them out. They need to believe they have total control over the situation and space that they’re in, which will gradually allowing them to start trusting you.
🗺️ Let Them Explore
Allow your cat some time alone till they are at ease with their new found safe spaces. After that, let them start to explore the rest of your house. Keep the doors open so that they are able to go to move around on their own.
🐶 Gradually Introduce Other Pets
If you have other pets, you of course have to gradually introduce them to the new cat. Initially, separate them from each other physically at a safe distance. Over time, you can let them meet face-to-face under supervision. Go slow to avoid stressing any of your pets.
💖 Shower Them with Love
Above all, love your new cat. Talk quietly, stroke them when they’re ready to accept that, and spoil them with all their new “amenities” which you’ve provided them as part of their safe home.
Eventually, through this, they will learn their new home is a place where it is loved and taken care of.
Rehabilitating a street cat is a journey filled with small steps and big rewards. Each day brings a new opportunity to bond with your cat and show them that they’re safe and loved. With patience, understanding, and a lot of love, you’ll soon have a happy, healthy cat who’s grateful for the second chance you’ve given them. 😺💕
