| Unless you buy a cat from a breeder, chances are | | | | supply during their lives. This can lead to a survival |
| your cat was a stray at some point in its life. Stray | | | | mentality, when if they are presented with food, |
| cats experience a variety of problems: no available | | | | they will eat everything present, just in case they do |
| food, fights with other cats or other animals, a lack | | | | not have access to food for a long time. It is |
| of shelter, pregnancy and birthing, or illness. Taking | | | | important to consistently feed these cats so they |
| care of these cats is much more trying than take | | | | trust you and trust your ability to keep them fed. |
| care of a cat that has had a safe home for its entire | | | | You can either develop a feeding schedule, which you |
| life. | | | | must follow to build the cat's trust, or you can use |
| It is often possible to distinguish a cat who has been | | | | an automatic food dispenser. Both have their |
| in a fight; shelters are full of cats with torn ears, only | | | | disadvantages; with the scheduled feedings, if you |
| one eye, a limp, or stitches. The constant fear of | | | | are gone or forget to feed them, you may have to |
| harm and death can create a very skittish kitty. It | | | | start back at square one. With the automatic food |
| may shy away from people, constantly be hiding, or | | | | dispenser, if the cat eats as long as food keeps |
| act aggressively to any people or animals that | | | | coming out, it may eat to the point of vomiting. |
| approach it. In this situation, it's important to be very | | | | However, with a feeding schedule, as long as the cat |
| patient. A cat who has been through a bad or | | | | never goes hungry, it will come to trust you even if |
| crippling fight needs love more than most other cats, | | | | you break from the schedule occasionally. The |
| but it also has the most difficult time receiving love. | | | | problem with the food dispenser is often |
| Do not push these cats' boundaries; if they do not | | | | self-correcting. Once the cat realizes that the food |
| want to be touched, stand away from them. Toss | | | | will always be available, it will adjust its eating |
| treats to them so that they will associate you with | | | | accordingly. |
| satiation. When you go to touch or pet them, you | | | | Obviously, the most important parts of taking care |
| may want to rub catnip on your fingers. The effect | | | | of a psychologically disturbed cat are love and |
| of catnip on cats is so strong that they may be | | | | patience. If you dedicate yourself to caring for your |
| willing to risk contact for a chance at having catnip. A | | | | new kitty and taking the steps necessary to make it |
| warning, however: do not put too much catnip on | | | | feel content and safe, their problems will go away |
| your fingers, because catnip can cause or heighten | | | | with time. As long as you take your time and move |
| aggression in some cats. | | | | at the cat's pace, you are on your way to having a |
| Most strays deal with hunger or inconsistent food | | | | loyal new companion. |