In this article
What is a stray cat?
Stray cats are pet cats that have been lost or abandoned and now must fend for themselves. As these cats are – or once were – used to the company of humans, they are relatively social. While they may be shy at first, with some TLC and a little patience, many strays can be re-socialized and eventually be adopted into loving homes.
What is a feral cat?
Ferals cats are domestic cats that have grown up without any interaction with humans. As these cats are essentially wild animals, they don’t feel comfortable near humans and will avoid them as much as possible. Feral cats often live in groups, called colonies, and are not suitable to be held as indoor cats.
The key differences between stray and feral cats
Stray cat
Feral cat
May be friendly
Stray cats are used to interacting with humans, and while some may be very shy, others may welcome human attention and even approach people.
Will avoid humans
Feral cats are not used to being around humans and will actively avoid them. These animals do not want to be approached, let alone be touched or handled.
May look relaxed
Many stray cats aren’t stressed by the presence of human and may even look relaxed, with their tail pointing straight up.
Will look scared
Ferals are usually terrified of humans. When they spot one, they may tense up, crouch, or flee immediately.
May meow or purr
Stray cats are used to humans being around, and some may be social enough to meow or even purr.
Will be quiet, growl or hiss
Cats primarily communicate to one another through body language and wil very rarely meow at each other. Therefore, you won’t hear feral cats meowing.
Can live as pets
With the right care and a lot of patience, many stray cats can be re-socialized and become wonderful pets.
Cannot live as pets
Feral cats are terrified of humans and cannot be socialized unless they are still very young kittens. Feral cats may be kept as barn cats, but they will never adapt to indoor living like regular pet cats.
Won’t have tipped ear
When pet cats are spayed or neutered, their ears aren’t ‘tipped’, unlike those of feral cats.
May have tipped ear
Feral cats are helped through the TNR-method, which stands for Trap-Neuter-Return. While these cats are sedated for their spay or neuter surgery, the tip of one ear is removed so it’s immediately clear that this cat can no longer reproduce and doesn’t need to be trapped again.
May have microchip
Responsible cat owners have their pet cats microchipped so they can be brought back home in case they get lost.
Will rarely have microchip
Feral cats are rarely microchipped as they grew up wild and are usually chipped during TNR.
Will often be encountered during the day
Stray cats are more often spotted during the day as they aren’t as scared of humans, and they might even know that humans may provide them with food.
Rarely shows themselves during the day
Ferals are more like likely to hunt at night as this allows them to avoid humans.
Lives alone
Stray cats are former pet cats that aren’t used to social structures. Therefore, they will often live alone.
Lives in colonies
Feral cats often live in colonies for protection and to share resources like food and shelter, which improves their chances of survival.
Lives near houses
Strays are aware that humans often don’t mean any harm and may even provide them with food or shelter. Even if it’s just an abandoned shed.
Lives away from houses
Ferals are afraid of humans and will prefer to live farther away from them.
How to help a stray or a feral cat?
If you spot a cat roaming around, offer them food, water, and shelter, and try to gain their trust. If you’re able to get close, check for a collar with an ID tag, or take the friendly feline to a vet to see if they have a registered microchip. If no owner is found, you can choose to adopt the cat or bring them to a local shelter.
If the cat is very shy, aggressive, or appears to be part of a feral colony, contact a cat rescue organization to ask if they can help with a TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program for the feline and any potential feral companions.
