Feral cats may look cute, but it does pose a problem if they’re fed. If you've recently adopted a cat from a shelter, or if you have found a feral kitten or adult cat that you want to make part of the family, you may have to tame them.. Taming a feral cat can be a long process and requires a lot of patience. Cats that are kept indoors do tend to live longer simply because they are not exposed to outdoor dangers.. While there's no easy answer on just long your cat will live, we'll look at life spans for different felines, plus discuss how to prolong those golden years. But feral cats are wild. And what happens when you do? Average Lifespan of a Cat in the Wild. They are subject to much exposure and are often sick. In the first “excursions” abroad you can suffer an incident that goes from being run over by a vehicle to running into a trap or being attacked by a dog. Cute Tuxedo Cat. Spayed or unaltered. How Long Do Domestic Cats Live? My wife recentlly died of cancer and fed a neighborhood feral cat. How long do cats live? Cats can live a very long time indoors. What are some tips you recommend to help your kitty get used to the idea of living indoors? Many will argue that cats belong outdoors or indoors/outdoors, but what kind of cat lives longer? The best way to maximize your cat’s life expectancy, regardless of how it is calculated, is to provide excellent nutrition, ample exercise and mental stimulation, all necessary veterinary care including preventive medicine, protection from outdoor risks, and lots and lots of love and attention. These cats could be friendly, feral, adults, kittens, healthy, sick, altered and/or unaltered. Feral cats live alone – or in groups called colonies – and are found in towns, cities and rural areas. Neutered cats tend to live longer because neutering prevents reproductive diseases and neutered cats are less likely to roam. They may or may not have a caregiver. I am not sure of the actual age as she was picked up off the street. Regardless of their origins, feral cats are generally fearful of human interaction, and will more likely scratch or bite you than snuggle up in your lap (at least at first). Among the factors of How long do cats live you can influence the longevity of your cat are: 1. Obtain a live trap. Outdoor cats (i.e. So how long do cats live as a pet? I am going on vacation for a week to ten days. Cats who live outdoors are called “community cats.” They may be friendly or feral. They have caused the extinction of some ground-dwelling birds and small to medium-sized mammals. Because of this fear, taming a feral cat can be difficult. Do not allow feral cats outside, even after months of living in your home. When it is TOO COLD for HUMANS to sleep outside, then it is also TOO COLD for FERAL CATS or STRAY CATS. Feral cats are easily stressed, and the experience of having surgery is very stressful. Outdoor cats have a shorter lifespan because they may get killed in traffic accidents, animal fights, poisoning or … How long can a cat live without food assuming he gets water? How best to help these outdoor cats should be guided by science, professional experience, and compassion. The good news is that, yes, feral cats can become your new live-in feline friend. Feral or stray cats have the shortest life expectancy of the common house cat. So what happens if you stop feeding feral cats? Outdoor cats and feral cats that live without owners have shorter lives than domesticated cats. Excellent "how to" when bringing in … But there are several very important steps that must be taken first, as domesticating a feral cat is certainly not a task for the faint at heart and will require an enormous amount of time and patience. Community cats can raise a number of questions. For many people, seeing a cat outside might be a nice little addition. In the wild, cats live anywhere from 2 to 16 years old. ... Cats can live long and happy lives if cared for properly and protected from predators, disease, and injury/accident. Statistically, cats can live between the ages of 12 - 18 years of age. Lots of times though, when people feed feral cats, they start to grow attached, and that can be a problem. The best solution for ... people can live well in the wild, as long as they have all the things they need. Accidents. A feral cat is a domestic cat that does not have an owner and lives outside; typically, feral cats don’t want anything to do with humans. How long do cats live — if they’re outdoor cats? Put Together a Dedicated Room. Life Span for Indoor Living. With more frequent litter box use, you can begin to expand its area. At least 15 minutes of daily play is essential for your cat. There are many reasons why cats that aren’t pets don’t live long … Feral cats have had little to no interaction with humans. Cats should remain in the live trap during the recovery period. The cat has always been able to obtain his own water. A medium-sized trap should be fine for most feral cats and raccoon-sized animals. Nearly blind and feral. Infectious feline diseases such as feline leukemia virus and rabies ; Trauma or injuries caused by fights with other cats A domestic cat is less exposed to cars or larger animals than a stray one. Do not attempt to transfer a feral cat … Many feral cats are born in the wild, and others have been abandoned by their owners or have become lost. They eat assorted vermin such as rodents and other small animals that live in or around outbuildings and farm fields. Even feral cats can have longer, healthier lives as barn cats – horse owners are happy to have cats to keep down on rodents in the feed, and the feral cats have a safe barn for shelter, food, and water. But the problem is, feeding it can be a problem. Feral cats have the shortest lifespan of the species Felis catus. Cats have a solitary nature and, if they are unaccustomed to human contact, they can be very distrustful. The farm cat, also known as a barn cat, is a domestic cat, usually of mixed breed, that lives primarily out-of-doors, in a feral or semi-feral condition on agricultural properties, usually sheltering in outbuildings. Cats however, are territorial, and feral cats may be even more so because this is the only home they have. As domesticated animals, they are utterly dependent on humans to survive. Heck, I know some people who find feral cats that are indoor/outdoor cats after nearly a month just based on their personalities. “Community Cats” is a term used to describe outdoor, unowned, free-roaming cats. Map showing locations of feral cats in Australia From Assessing Invasive Animals in Australia (2008) National Land & Water Resources Audit, Canberra Download the map as a PDF file (PDF - 771.49 KB) [toc] Feral cats threaten the survival of over 100 native species in Australia. See Cats Protection’s Essential Guide: Cats and people for further information. They can grow to a much larger size than house cats if conditions are favourable, though they don’t live as long. Feral cats must be treated as wild animals, especially because a colony can, through several generations, foster cats that never, ever come in contact with human beings. By this definition, the only outdoor free-roaming cats who are not community cats are those who have an owner. Stray cats live up to 5 years if they are in a community, or 2 to 3 years if they live alone. They are easily frightened and may bolt and become lost. Stray cats in urban areas tend to live to be around 6 years old before moving on to kitty heaven. Indoor cats. My moggie stray cat that I rescued and who has given me so much pleasure and who is, I confess, overweight, is still going strong (fingers crossed) at aged about 18 years or more (at March 2010). Before you bring a feral cat indoors, it’s important to have a room set up exclusively for the cat. Most brands of live trap work essentially the same way, but follow the instructions particular to the model you get. Keeping your cat indoors not only is the right thing to do, but the most humane thing for them. In fact, while the lifespan of domesticated cats can extend upwards of 20 years, feral cats rarely make it past their fifth birthday. Edit: “Only the sickest and most exposed animals are seriously at risk, as long as temperatures remain above freezing (32°F). More feral cat resources: An estimated sixty million feral cats live in the United States today. If extremely feral, this may be a very, very difficult undertaking. Diseases IF this cat seems willing to accept the kindness of a human, then prognosis for a good life are better. Aw, poor kitty and good for you in trying to help this cat. The safest way to trap a feral cat, or a wild animal of any kind, is to use a safe live trap, such as the Havahart brand. To minimize additional stress during recovery, make sure to follow these discharge instructions fully. However, don’t interfere or try to initiate contact. They can live on their own, hunt on their own, and often find a group of cats to live with, called a colony. Where Do Cats Live in the Wild? Some cat lovers who observe feral cats in their communities may have the impulse to try to socialize and adopt these cats. Feral cats are distinct from stray cats — whereas stray cats once had an owner but became lost at some point, feral cats were born and grew up in the wild. Animal protection is constantly evolving and improving. An indoor cat's world is a safe, cozy haven, with tasty meals dished up on time, and protection from the changeable weather. Claimed by someone or not. It also depends on whether it’s an indoor or outdoor cat.. cats that are allowed to roam the neighborhood) are exposed to dangers which will greatly reduce their life span: . Is that … Cats may not really have nine lives, but factors such as diet, healthcare and environment can have an impact on how long a cat can live. 2. Continue to add four years for every year a cat is fortunate enough to live past the age of 20. There are estimated to be more than 100 million feral cats in the world, and cats that live in the wild often have very difficult lives. Cat lifespan relies on many factors: vaccinations, nutrition, lifestyle, environment, weight and a lot of others. Will a feral cat which has been fed cat food by a human for about two years be able to forage if the food is cut off. When you want to help a feral cat adjust to living inside, the following tips can help. This is quite a sticky question in some ways. An outdoor cat, unfortunately, lives to about 7 years old on average due to exposure to many dangers. Feral cats have the same appearance as some common, short-haired house cats such as tabby, tortoiseshell and black. On the other hand, pampered indoor cats may live to the ripe age of 20 years. “While living outdoors has its hardships, feral cats can live a good life,” Stratton says, particularly with “dedicated caregivers who TNR and provide fresh food and water.” Feral cats can be adopted and kept as pets.