Why Does My Stray Cat Not Trust Me?

Let’s say you see a cat hanging around outside. It has shiny green eyes and is walking around your yard. You want to be kind and pet it, but it runs away! You may be asking yourself, Why does my stray cat not trust me?

Stray cats don’t trust people easily. This is not because you are a bad person. Stray cats are afraid of people because of bad experiences they may have had.

This article will help you understand why stray cats are afraid of people. It will also teach you how to make friends with them.

Table of Contents

Stray Cats Have a Hard Life

Stray cats have to live outside. They have to find their own food and water. They also have to stay safe from cars and other animals.

Linda Hall is an expert on cats. She says that cats see people in three ways:

Like a hunter who will hurt them
Like an animal they can eat
Like family

Stray cats might see you as a hunter who will hurt them. This is especially true if they have had bad experiences with people in the past.

How to Become Friends with a Stray Cat

It takes time to earn a stray cat’s trust. Don’t scare them with loud noises or quick movements.

Here are some tips on how to make friends with a stray cat:

1. Let the Cat Smell You

Cats use their noses to learn about other cats. Let the stray cat sniff you. This will help them get to know you and see that you are not a threat.

2. Give the Cat Food and Water

Put food and water out for the cat at the same time every day. This will show the cat that you are someone they can rely on.

3. Talk to the Cat

Cats know when you are being friendly. Talk to the cat in a gentle voice. This will help them relax.

4. Give the Cat Treats

Cats love treats! Giving the cat treats is a great way to make them happy to see you.

5. Don’t Rush to Pet the Cat

Let the cat decide when it is ready to be petted. Hold out your hand slowly and let the cat come to you.

6. Give the Cat Shelter

An outdoor cat shelter can help the cat stay warm and dry. Put it in a quiet place where the cat will feel safe.

Stray Cats and Feral Cats Are Different

It is important to know the difference between a stray cat and a feral cat.

Stray cats used to have a home, but they got lost or someone left them outside. They are usually friendly to people.
Feral cats were born outside. They do not have a home and are usually scared of people.

Here are some ways to tell if a cat is a stray or feral:

Signs of a Stray Cat

It might come close to you or your house.
It might meow at you.
It might look dirty or messy.
It might look skinny because it hasn’t had enough to eat.

Signs of a Feral Cat

It will stay away from you.
It will walk low to the ground so it can hide easily.
Its fur will be clean.
It might have a small part of its ear cut off. This means someone helped it by taking it to the vet to be fixed so it can’t have kittens.

What to Do If You See a Feral Cat

If you see a feral cat, it’s best to call an animal rescue group. They can help the cat by trapping it, taking it to the vet, and then letting it go again. This helps keep feral cats healthy and stops them from having too many kittens.

How to Tell If a Stray Cat Likes You

When you are kind to a stray cat, it will start to like you. Here are some ways a stray cat will show you it likes you:

It will slowly close its eyes and open them again. This is like a cat kiss!
It will rub against your legs. This is how cats mark their territory.
It will bump its head against you. This is a friendly way to say hello.
It will come close to you so you can pet it.
It will bring you gifts, like toys or things it caught. This means the cat really trusts you!

These small actions show that the stray cat is starting to trust you.

Being Kind to Stray Cats

Earning a stray cat’s trust takes time and patience. You need to be kind and understanding. Remember, each nice thing you do for a stray cat, big or small, can help them live a better life.