The Difference Between
Stray & Feral Cats
STRAY CATS
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FERAL CATS
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TOUCHING & HANDLING |
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| A stray cat will approach, maybe cautiously/timidly, people, houses, porches, or cars ~ showing signs of wanting to connect.
It may be possible to touch the stray cat eventually or she may tolerate a small amount of touching with an object. |
A Feral Cat will not approach and will likely seek hiding places to avoid people/you. Demonstrates not wanting to get close to you for any reason.
Can not be touched, even by a caregiver |
SOCIALIZATION TO OTHER CATS |
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| Stray Cats will likely live alone, not seen or wanting to be part of a group. | Feral Cats seek and often belong to a colony of other feral cats. |
BODY LANGUAGE |
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| Might walk and move like a house cat, such as walking with tail up—a sign of friendliness. | May crawl, crouch, stay low to the ground
and protect body with tail. |
| Will probably look at you, blink or make eye contact. | Unlikely to make eye contact. |
VOCALIZATION |
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| May be vocal, meow, or “answer” and respond to your voice. | A feral Cat won’t meow, beg, or purr. |
SCHEDULE |
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| You will easily spot a stray cat. They are often visible ~ primarily during the daytime. | A feral cat prefers and is more likely to be nocturnal, but can also be spotted and occasionally present out during the day. |
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE |
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| Will probably be dirty or disheveled. | Will probably have a clean, well-kept coat.
A male with a big head and thick neck, muscular body, and/or scars from fighting is more likely to be feral, since these are traits associated with intact males (and only 2% of feral cats are neutered in the U.S.). He may also have a spiky coat from high testosterone levels and less time spent grooming; may also have “stud tail”—hair loss, greasiness, or bumps at the base of the tail due to hormones. |
| Will not have an eartip. | Hopefully when you spot a feral cat it may have an eartip if it has been Trapped & Released {T&R} ~ spayed/neutered and is now part of a Tn’R program. |
PREGNANCY, NURSING & KITTENS |
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| A female who is pregnant or lactating is more likely to be feral, since only 2% of feral cats are spayed/neutered in the U.S. | |
CAGE BEHAVIOR |
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May come to the front of the cage. |
Will likely stay in the back of the cage and retreat as far back as possible. |
| May eventually rub against the cage in a friendly way. | If jolted or frightened, may shake, rattle, or climb the cage, and could become injured banging into the cage. |
LEVEL OF RELAXATION |
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| May/Is likely to relax over time. | Will remain tense and unsocial. |
RESPONSIVENESS |
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| May investigate toys or food placed near the cage, | Will likely ignore all people and toys, and possibly even food |
| May respond to household sounds like cat food cans or bags being opened. | Will not show any familiarity or interest in household sounds |
FEAR AND ANXIETY |
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| May hiss or growl to show anxiety. | Will show signs of aggression when you try to get too close. and may aggressive lash out if threatened or cornered (signs of aggression include ears back and eyes dilated). |
A cat’s level of socialization and behavior is not always black and white, particularly for feral cats who recognize their caregiver.
They may show signs of familiarity, such as a tail up or hanging out on a caregiver’s porch, but these behaviors are usually limited to the cat’s interaction with the caregiver and only develop after building a relationship over time. Always remember: this does not mean that the cat is a good candidate for living indoors.
How do I tell feral and stray cats apart once I have trapped them?
When in a frightening or stressful environment—such as a trap or a shelter—a friendly stray cat may act like a feral cat, avoiding people and possibly even showing aggression to avoid being touched. A lot of cats seem feral in traps but are just afraid.
Here are some ways that will help you distinguish a feral cat from a scared stray cat when they are frightened, confined, or in a new place.
