Stray or feral cats can become a nuisance quickly especially when the population or colony increases in size. In many cases a feral cat colony begins with just one or two cats that will then breed. The population quickly becomes out of control becoming exponentially larger as the months pass. The term feral is used when a domesticated animal returns to a wild state. A feral animal is not necessarily an animal that was born in the wild although animals born to a once domesticated animal are also referred to as feral. Feral is used to describe cats, dogs, and farm animals such as pigs and goats that have returned to a wild state.
Feral Cat Definition
A feral cat is best described as a domesticated animal that is now living in the wild and is uniquely conscious of the food chain where animals eat other animals to survive. Feral cats therefore become distrusting of other animals including human beings. You should always keep in mind that feral cats are wild despite their appearance. Feral cats are unpredictable and if they feel threatened or cornered they will attack to get away from you. Feral cats born in the wild that have never been domesticated are even more unpredictable and distrusting than those that have known some form of past human contact. Feral cats are responsible for spreading disease so it is never a good idea to feed stray cats especially around the area of your home or business.
Stray Cat Diseases
When we see a cat outside that looks thin and undernourished it’s easy to feel compassionate and want to help by putting food out for it to eat. What you may not realize is that a feral cat that looks thin and sickly may be carrying diseases including rabies, feline leukemia, Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and many others. Feral cats are opportunistic feeders and can often be found rifling through trash cans and dumpsters which gives them plenty of opportunities to carry and spread diseases including salmonella, cat-scratch fever, and campylobacter, a bacteria which can cause an upset stomach and diarrhea.
How to Repel & Prevent Feral Cats in Your Yard
The best advice is what Animal Pest Management Services offers to prevent all pests. Remove attractants by keeping landscape maintained and trash cans secured. Avoid feeding wild cats; this includes not leaving pet food out for your domesticated cats and dogs. Motion activated sprinklers can repel cats as they dislike being sprayed with water but in our water conscious State of California, we don’t recommend this strategy.
Feral Cat Control, Trapping, Removal & More in San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside & San Diego Counties, California
You should never reach down and attempt to pet an animal that you are unfamiliar with. Instead, contact the knowledgeable experts at Animal Pest Management Services to schedule professional trapping and removal services. Your Animal Pest Management Services pest control expert will use humane trapping practices and humane traps to safely capture feral cats. Our comprehensive pest control inspection service will ensure that any feral cats around your property are safely removed before transporting them to the local animal control facility. To learn more about wildlife control for your home or business, contact the knowledgeable experts at Animal Pest Management Services, Inc. today!
