No, feral cats do not make good pets. But they can make good pets once domesticated. The amount of work needed to domesticate a feral cat depends on the cat and the person. A true adult feral cat is a wild animal and may be impossible to domesticate. Please note that I am using the word "pet" to mean an animal kept for companionship. The key part of this is the word "kept" meaning looked after full-time, almost always in the home.
However, some feral cats are semi-feral or strays. These cats will be easier to tame and domesticate. Kittens born to a feral cat mother can be tamed relatively easily if immediately socialized to the human environment.
There are some nice stories on PoC of feral cats being tamed. If not tamed, feral cats can make lovely companions at a distance. There are many charming relationships between human and feral cat where each respects the other and gives each other the space they require.
Associated selected pages. There are many more.
However, some feral cats are semi-feral or strays. These cats will be easier to tame and domesticate. Kittens born to a feral cat mother can be tamed relatively easily if immediately socialized to the human environment.
There are some nice stories on PoC of feral cats being tamed. If not tamed, feral cats can make lovely companions at a distance. There are many charming relationships between human and feral cat where each respects the other and gives each other the space they require.
Associated selected pages. There are many more.
- My Feral Cats - by Bob Tucker (Helena, Ar). Please read this. It is a charming story.
- ADELE: A FERAL CAT STORY - another really good story from Bob Tucker
- Yellow Cat - by Dorothy (Central Coast of California)
Comments
So in trying to define what a pet is I'm confused. I spend a lot of time watching her, planning for her, looking for her, waiting, and trusting that she will show up. That is a lot of attention. I don't think she'll ever be an 'in the house' kind of pet, but she is my pet nonetheless, but enjoys complete freedom. The amount of entertainment she provides is remarkable. The concern I feel for her is huge. But I am not compelled to force her to conform. It is a fine relationship we have. Trust and understanding makes us a family.
She's my pet. Bigfoot the cat is in my bed however. That is a different kind of pet.