Skip to main content

I see a stray cat: Is it safe to approach? What you need to know

It's important to know the difference between stray and feral cats

Stray cat outside
Image used with permission by copyright holder

According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.2 million cats enter U.S. animal shelters every year. Of these, a significant number are strays.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

30 minutes

What You Need

  • Veterinarian

  • Canned tuna

  • Patience

A stray cat is generally defined as a cat that has lived indoors and is socialized with people but has left or lost its home. This is not to be confused with a feral cat, which hasn't lived alongside humans recently (or ever) and is essentially a wild animal.

From time to time, stray cats may appear in your neighborhood or at work. It's always tempting to try to pet the animal, call it over, feed it, or even bring it inside or adopt it. But is it safe for you or for the cat? Here's a closer look.

Stray cat outside
Pathara Sanjou/Shutterstock

Stray vs. feral: How to tell the difference

Strays, at some fairly recent point, were pets. Feral and semi-feral cats are closer to a squirrel or raccoon than a household companion. Feral cats also are very difficult, if not impossible, to train.

As a result, it's probably best to leave feral cats alone unless you have a sound game plan and professional guidance. Neutering and monitoring programs, for example, exist around the nation and can be a healthy way to get involved with feral cats. Your local vet or animal shelter can give you more guidance.

Here's how to tell the difference between stray and feral cats:

Step 1: Social: Strays will be friendly to humans, whereas feral cats will stay away and can even become hostile in close interactions.

Step 2: Touching: Strays will seek out and welcome human contact, but feral cats won't, with some not able to tolerate even the slightest physical contact with humans.

Step 3: Communication: Strays will meow and be vocal; feral cats are quieter.

Feral cat outside
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: Appearance: Strays might be dirty, whereas feral cats are clean.

Stray cat at the vet
Okssi / Shutterstock

How to safely approach and help a stray cat

If the feline in question is not feral and you wish to approach it, there are a few rules of thumb for how to do it safely for both parties.

Step 1: Feed, but beware.

It's OK to offer food to a stray cat, but there's a catch. If it gets food at your house once, it will come back. You've been warned. Canned tuna is a great food option if available.

Step 2: Speak softly.

Approach with caution and keep your voice soft. Let the cat make the first move; it will come to you if it feels safe.

Step 3: Don't just feed it.

It can be fun and rewarding to feed a stray cat. But if you really want to keep it around, the safest thing for the stray, for you, and for any other people and pets in your household is a visit to the vet.

Step 4: Scan for the chip.

Speaking of the vet, they can scan for a microchip, which is now widely implanted below a pet's skin and used for identification. If the cat is lost, this is the best way to help the little guy get found.

According to ASPCA data, 27% of cat owners found their feline as a stray. Just keep in mind that before you take in a stray cat that another family somewhere may be heartsick over the loss of its beloved pet. No matter your plans, you can proceed safely knowing how to distinguish stray cats from their feral cousins and how best to approach the stray so you both have a positive interaction.

Scott Harris
Scott Harris is a freelance writer based near Washington, DC, with more than a decade of experience covering health…
Are cats lactose intolerant? Here’s what you need to know
How to feed your cat dairy products without upsetting their stomach
Older kitten in a yard drinking out of a bowl of milk

You've surely seen those old-time drawings of kittens drinking from saucers of milk. Even movies and modern media tell stories of kindhearted folks who leave out milk for outdoor cats! It's common knowledge that kittens drink their mother's milk, so why shouldn't they be able to drink cow's milk out of the fridge?

It turns out that milk and cream may not be as nutritious to felines as we previously thought. Many cats develop a love of dairy items like cheese and butter, so is it really bad to feed your cat these items? Are cats lactose intolerant? Before you feed your cat dairy, it's important to understand how his body works and what effect dairy can have on it. That way, you can choose food and treats that support your cat's health and nutrition.
Are cats lactose intolerant?

Read more
How to treat ringworm in cats safely and effectively
Effective treatments for cats with ringworm
Orange cat scratching an itchy spot on its neck

If you ever notice irritated skin or hair loss on your cat, your first thought might be that your cat has fleas. That could be the case, but it's also possible that a bout of ringworm is to blame. Ringworm can be both irritating and uncomfortable for your cat, and it can also spread to people and other pets in your home. Therefore, it's crucial to identify and treat ringworm in your cat as soon as possible. Prompt treatment can help minimize or prevent ringworm in cats, allowing your cat to feel comfortable and happy again quickly.
What is ringworm in cats?

Ringworm might sound like a worm or parasite, but it's actually a fungal infection that affects your cat's skin and hair. Several types of fungi can cause ringworm infections, and these fungi can also infect humans, dogs, and other cats.

Read more
Can cats eat apples? What’s safe and what’s not
How to prepare apples for cats
Fluffy cat looking at table of apples

It's essential to feed your cat a nutritionally complete diet, but you have a lot more leeway when it comes to cat treats. Meals should make up most of your feline friend's diet, so the treats you choose don't have to be as nutritious and filling. Treats are for enjoyment and rewards! Many human foods are safe to share with your cat as treats and some are toxic, but it can be hard to remember what's on the list.
If you've ever wondered, "Can cats eat apples?" you're not alone. After all, fresh fruits are an essential component of a balanced diet for people, so is it the same for cats? Let's find out!

Can cats eat apples?

Read more