Adopting a stray cat is an option available to those who desire a cat for a pet. This said, stray cats offer a unique and sometimes difficult challenge to those that wish adopt them. Many cat behaviors are often misunderstood, so one must take a great deal of care and understanding if they are to turn a feral cat into a happy house pet.
It is best if the adoption process begins with the cat's consent. If the cat is willing to interact with you, then you know you're on the right track. Food is the best way to earn a cat's trust. It takes time and patience, but if you go a little further each day, the cat will eventually become used to you.
What to do when your kitty is living with you? The cat behaviors that are the most problematic to people are cat scratching, the spraying of urine and the need to hunt. Luckily, there are plenty of solutions that will be healthy for your cat and keep you from from getting exasperated.
A cat's need to scratch can damage furniture and walls, so it's a good idea to get some kind of of scratching post. These can range from simple cardboard varieties to larger carpeted ones. A kitty jungle-gym will let your cat not only scratch but have a place to climb about on and sleep in.
Male cats mark their territory by spraying urine - neutering will stop this natural, but destructive, behavior. It will also benefit your cat's health, because neutering will turn off his aggressiveness and natural desire to fight with other males.
A cat behaviour that all cats exhibit is the need to hunt. It's particularly strong in stray cats because that's how they survived until adoption. Don't be worried about the small dead animals your cat brings you and don't punish them for doing so. Instead, praise them for doing what they do best and they will be happy.
Avoiding a resolution to such cat behaviors will result in a bad relationship between you and your feline. If you prevent your feline from hunting, this will most assuredly get on your nerves since cats need a way in which to channel their energy. If you love your furnishings at all you must attend to their need to scratch and spray. This is the reason these fundamental cat behaviors are beneficial to learn; particularly when you adopt strays.
