9 Feral Cat Myths Busted: Separating Fact from Fiction

There is a lot of misinformation circulating on social media and messaging boards about feral cats and what to do if you come across them. Some people claim that feral cats are a different species from our domesticated cats and are dangerous, while others believe that they can be brought home and adopted.

In this article, we will debunk 9 common myths and misconceptions about feral cats.

Debunking 9 Feral Cat Myths & Misconceptions

1. “Feral cats are a unique species to domesticated cats”

Feral cats, strays, and domesticated cats are all the same species.1 The only difference between them is that feral cats are born and raised outside of a home, so they lack the level of socialization needed to tolerate and live happily with humans. Kittens must be held and played with by loving humans from an early age in order to socialize properly. Unfortunately, feral kittens never have this opportunity, but that does not make them a different species!

feral cat on the stairs
Picture Credit score: 42 North, Unsplash
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2. “Feral cats may be adopted and given a home”

If a kitten is not socialized from a young age, it will grow up to become a feral adult cat. Feral cats can never get used to, or be happy, living inside a home with humans. As a result, if these animals are picked up by animal control or taken to a shelter, they will not be put up for adoption or given a home—instead, most will end up euthanized. TNR (trap, neuter, and return) programs run by some organizations will instead neuter feral cats and then return them to their colony.

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3. “Feral cats are strays”

There is a significant difference between feral cats and strays. Strays are cats that once belonged to a home but have either gotten lost or abandoned. These cats are used to living and interacting with humans and have been socialized from a young age. If a stray cat finds its way to a shelter, it can be adopted and given a new home.

If a stray cat stays out in the neighborhood and gives birth to a litter, the kittens will grow up to be feral—unless they are found and socialized at a young age. Feral cats have never had the opportunity to be properly socialized.

feral cats
Picture Credit score: Piqsels
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4. “Exterminating feral cats will solve a problem”

Exterminating feral cats is neither a humane nor an effective solution to controlling the feral cat population. If all the feral cats from a neighborhood are taken away, it will create a vacuum in the ecosystem, which will quickly be filled with more feral cats moving in. Trap, neuter, and return programs instead focus on spaying and neutering these cats so the population does not grow. Additionally, it benefits feral cats by giving them a better quality of life.

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5. “Feral cats can attack humans”

It is highly unlikely that a feral cat would attack a human! Most of the time, these cats will run and hide if they see someone. In fact, feral cats tend to come out at night when there are fewer humans around.

Like any animal, if a feral cat feels threatened or cornered, it may defend itself. However, this is rare and can be avoided by giving feral cats their space and not trying to approach or handle them.

  • “Feral cats transmit diseases to humans”
  • Feral cats can only transmit cat-specific diseases, such as FIV and FeLV, to other cats unless they have been vaccinated through a TNR (trap-neuter-return) program. It is rare for a cat to pass a disease onto humans, and even then, it is usually through contact with their feces. Domestic cats and dogs can also spread diseases in the same way.

    1. “Feral cats are depleting bird populations”

    While it is true that bird populations are declining, this is more likely due to habitat loss and diseases. Studies have shown that feral cats tend to hunt rodents and scavenge for food, rather than preying on healthy birds. In fact, cats are more likely to hunt weak and sickly birds, which does not significantly impact the bird population.

    1. “If you stop feeding a feral cat, it will leave”

    Feral cats are resourceful and attached to their territory. If one person stops feeding them, they will simply find food elsewhere. Other people in the neighborhood may also continue to feed them. Feral cats will not leave their territory easily and may expand their hunting area, but they will always return.

    1. “TNR (trap-neuter-return) is cruel and ineffective”

    On the contrary, TNR has been proven to improve the lives of feral cats, address community concerns, and stop the breeding cycle. Neutered and spayed cats also lead healthier and longer lives. In addition, regularly fed feral cats are less likely to hunt and kill wildlife.

    1. “Feral cats are solitary animals”

    Feral cats may appear to be solitary, but they actually live in colonies and form social bonds with other cats. They often share resources and help each other survive. This is why TNR programs are effective in managing feral cat populations, as it allows them to continue living in their colonies without reproducing.

    1. “Feral cats are a nuisance and should be removed”

    Feral cats play an important role in controlling rodent populations and can help keep them in check. Removing feral cats from an area can actually lead to an increase in rodent populations. TNR programs are a more effective and humane way to manage feral cat populations.

    In conclusion, feral cats are not the dangerous and harmful animals they are often portrayed to be. With proper understanding and management, they can coexist peacefully with humans and other animals. TNR programs are an effective way to manage feral cat populations and improve the lives of these misunderstood creatures. 133 187 245 0 140-98 344-260 344zm432-104c109 0 161 102 161 199 0 145-117 341-277 341-110 0-161-101-161-198 0-145 117-342 277-342z”> Forestall most cancers of the ovaries and uterus

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    Getting feral cats neutered earlier than returning them to their neighborhood will cease their inhabitants from rising, with out making a vacuum for different feral cats to maneuver in—which is why it’s a simpler methodology of management than extermination, to not point out extra humane.

    neutering cat on a vet's operating table
    Picture Credit score: Simon Kadula, Shutterstock

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