The moment when a feral cat trusts you is magical

"I don't think non-cat people understand what it means to gain the trust of a feral cat, it's not easy & when it happens it's so incredibly beautiful" - commenter on the video below which is on TikTok

I have heard this a lot over the years and have experienced it myself when socialising my former feral cat who I adopted as a foster carer. He was about 7 weeks old and terrified of me. He hid for a week under the sideboard! Cooked prawns got him out and he loves them to this day.

@jobiquin #catsoftiktok #CapCut #feralcat #cuteanimals ♬ original sound - Jobi

But the point is that you can tell when a feral cats becomes socialised and can be described as 'domesticated'. The fear drops from their eyes and body language. They actually crave human companionship but are inherently (and rightly) fearful. It can take months to break down that fear. But often it happens much faster.

"Watch the feral cat I took in (with her 4 babies) finally let me love her," says a caption shared along with the viral video.

It is an interesting thought: 'finally let me love her'. It is the moment when a cat does indeed allow themselves be loved by a caring human. The trust. The fear falls away.

Her feral cat finally lets herself be loved by this nice lady, Quin. He partner rescued the cat who'd been around their home for a while with her kittens.

Gentleness in interactions and respect for their feral background is essential, plus excellent food (the video maker uses a very palatable treat paste) and also importantly play.

Playing with a semi-domesticated cat teaches them that you can be trusted. The play toy - usually a feather on a stick - is a kind of 'bridging tool' between you and the cat. 

But as you are welding it, in their mind the cat is playing with a sibling which breaks down barriers very fast. It is how I socialised my cat who by the way retains some of his wild character to this day, 10 years later.

I don't think socialised feral cats ever completely lose their feral character. It lurks deep inside them and sometimes (perhaps) emerges at certain times.

"She had to be brave surviving out there in the wild. She is actually a very sweet cat. You can tell she wants to be loved. She didn't give any fuss when I put her little cat collar on her. I feel like she knew it was hers and it meant she was ours," Quin (the rescuer) said. She lives in Texas, US.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.