#Shorts How To Tell If A Cat Is Feral

Here is a little trick we picked up from our local Animal Management Officer.

Please like and Subscribe to The 10 Acre Woods for new videos.

The 10 Acre Woods Social Media

YOU CAN ALSO SUPPORT US HERE:

[tjv]

Love that you have this bunch of black cats 😂💙

[mjkhan]

Thats interesting, i guess adult ferals still have that wild weary mindset to avoid unnecessary contact

[lianav]

Thank you for saving all of these wonderful babies!! They are so precious.

[buttacudawey]

They are so beautiful 🖤🖤🖤🖤✊🏽💙💯 we lost our boy 3 yrs ago still miss him so much #Que.

[Tyler-hepf]

How can he keep all the names and faces matched up!! That’s impressive

[ambertornatore]

I love that they are all black, you’ve saved a ton!!

[officermeyer]

Absolutely ADORE that they are all black beauties ❤❤❤

[concentrasmr]

His mild concern backing up was so cute

[johncameron]

He looks great. They are all so lovely

[colbyjade]

I have a feral that we've had for 6 years and she still won't let anyone pet her.

[fenneknviking]

This man just has voids walking around his house.

[janemiettinen]

You got pretty serious collection of black kitties!

[ashaeerie]

Oh my! black cat paradise. I had a black female cat for 11 years ❤❤❤

[mswetra]

Awww, love those black cats. Dont tell the others but black cats are very special❤

[tubecontributor]

I have had feral cats living in my home-many years. Actually, the biggest indicator is whether they meow. Cats only meow for people. Cats that are raised out in colonies or with feral moms outside are told, like wild animals, to be quiet so predators don't hear them. My feral cats-including one who just passed after 15 years-close to her death did meow a little but sounded like a kitten as it was new. Feral cats will cry out in pain. I think it is great that you bring ferals inside. Some cats though don't like a finger in their face because they were abused and dumped.

[KttyGamr]

I have a cat (we found her on the side of the street when she was only a few months old). Her name is Gizmo and she’s one of the sweetest (most of the time) cats we currently have. She’s like if a dog were in a cat’s body

Edit: Ok despite what I had believed she’s not a feral

[Slammy]

My cat's feral, had her for a couple of years. She had exposure to my mom, who fed her, but not before she was a few months old. She sniffs me still.
Thank you for giving them a good home, black cats are hard to place. Plus you worry what people might do to them.

[jasminehunter]

I call my black cats, my little jelly beans😊

[jab]

So great you’ve saved so many black cats!! Hope Tier will come around it may take longer! Hang in there!

[Mercyfalls]

All those beauties! I have an entirely black cat too, they are all gorgeous ❤
Btw, this "finger test" is also useful for more than just testing whether your cat is feral. Presenting your fingertip to the cat to sniff is similar to the way another cat would greet them and it's basically saying: "Hi! Can I touch you?"
If you are not familiar with the cat, make sure to do it SLOWLY as not to startle them.

If the cat leans it's head forward for even rubs his head against it, it's basically means: "I'm so happy to see you! Yes, please pet me!" If the cat doesn't move closer to sniff, ignores it, looks away and/or tilts it's head slightly away, it means: "I do not want to be touched rn. But you are alright, you may stay in my vicinity." If you pet the cat anyways (depending on their personality and how familiar they are with you, but most likely) will endure it a bit and give another warning that it's not in the moods for cuddling rn, but will eventually try to bite or scratch you. Though not with full strength, more as a last resort: "Hey, I said I didn't want to be touched! Leave me alone!" Many people say cats are "unpredictable" and auddenly bite, but cats give plenty nonverbal warning beforehand. Most humans simply don't understand thus ignore the warnings.

And then if the cat reacts like in the video, immediately creating distance, but not entirely fleeing or hissing, it means it is not scared of you but not used to being touched by humans, aka feral.
If the cat hisses or shows any other signs of aggression it's a very clear: "Don't dare to touch me! Go away!"

It's a mixture of how familiar the cat is with you and their mood, for example even a domesticated cat that loves you might turn it's head if it isn't in the mood to cuddles, don't take it personal! But respect your cats boundaries, they communicate a lot more than most people realize.