What is the Difference Between Feral and Stray Cats?

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Understanding the differences between these outdoor cats is important to determining the best way to approach and care for them.
 
What is a stray cat?
  • A stray cat has been socialized with humans at some point in their life. In other words, the cat has experienced human companionship.
  • Stray cats are usually lost or abandoned pets.
  • Stray cats can be fearful or approachable depending on their personality.
  • Many stray cats live alone. They may try and join a colony of feral cats and get rejected. On the other hand, some stray cats will be able to integrate into a colony.
  • Usually a stray cat can be reintroduced to a home after living outdoors. This may require some patience while the cat re-adjusts to life indoors but the cat should be able to live happily inside again.
  • Body language includes walking like a house cat, walking with their tail up (a sign of friendliness) and making eye contact.
  • Stray cats can look lean and disheveled because they may not know how to find food and care for themselves outside.
Found a stray cat?
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What is a feral cat?
  • A feral cat is an unsocialized, domestic cat. Most are fearful and wary towards humans and survive on their own outdoors.
  • Feral cats have never experienced contact with humans or their contact and trust has diminished. Stray cats can become feral over time.
  • Feral cats may belong to a colony.
  • Though feral cats are likely never to become pets, some kittens born to feral cats can be socialized at an early age and adopted into homes.
  • Body language includes crawling, crouching, staying low to the ground, protecting their bodies with their tails and not making eye contact.
  • Feral cats tend to look cleaner and well-kept because they can adequately care for themselves outside.
 
What to do when you find a feral cat:
Trap-neuter-return (TNR). This is a humane, effective program for managing feral cats populations. Learn how to do it! 
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