After a few weeks of confirming its fondness of cat food, I trapped it in a cage with cat amenities, tried to pet it and got bitten.
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Scared and alert fluffy black cat on a perch in the upper corner of a big cage, at eye level with me and camera
First of all, how is the bite wound doing? Cat bites (and scratches) can transmit some very nasty stuff, and it’s often recommended to see a doctor ASAP. I had a bite a few years ago that resulted in me getting IV antibiotics.
In terms of winning the void over, patience is key. Let the cat lead any future physical interactions. You can offer your finger for it to sniff, and when it decides it trusts you, it will rub its cheeks against your finger. Talk to the cat in a calm voice. Just talk about anything, read to it, etc. Look up “slow blinks” and learn how to read the movements of its tail. If it’s tail is flicking, back off. Jackson Galaxy is a great resource.
Have you been able to check it for a microchip? Have you checked to see if it has a human family that might be looking for it?
The wound was shallow thanks to gloves and it is almost healed; I thoroughly disinfected it ASAP of course, with lots of scrubbing, water, alcohol and non-alcohol disinfectant.
No, I can’t check for a microchip unless the reader works from a foot away (most are cca 2 inches), which would allow me to place it close to the food bowl. I could try to trap it again and check for sex etc., maybe even use a phone or generic RFID reader. It will indubitably get mad at me and I don’t know if welding gloves will be enough to prevent more scratches.
Leave out food every day. Don’t look it in the eyes directly. Move slowly and quietly. Give it space. Eventually it’ll associate you with free food and MIGHT become friendlier.
Probably a question of time and patience. My advice would be to be in its’ company but don’t push space boundaries. E.g. be in the same room doing your own thing, maybe sometimes speak to it, look at it and slow blink and just carry on with your own life.
Offer food and treats in your company (same deal, give food but stick around in the room, but give it space). Sit a lil bit closer to it over time to build trust but avoid initiating touch. Try to play (like string on a stick or something similarly simple), some cats value playtime over food. One of my cats values just being stared at over both food and play, they each have their own preferences - once you figure it out it’ll be a lot easier.
Eventually it’ll learn to trust you and associate your presence with food and play.
Just be aware that it may take weeks or months to build a bond, although if you aren’t seeing any improvement at all (like cat is tense when you’re around, even from a distance, reluctant to eat when you’re near etc) in 2 or so weeks time then the method isn’t working and you gotta try something else.
Good luck, and thank your for caring for it!
This is the way, when we have new kittens or cats that are on the property and have been using the food, water and seeing the others go inside. I just go out near the food area (like 10 to 15 ft) and just watch youtube, read the internet, dont look at them for the most part. When they come up I look, slow blink at them and go back to what I was doing (from my understanding this is like hey I saw you, dont view you as a threat and you are welcome in my space). Some times its 30 min when they sniff me or a few hours. It helps a ton if you have other cats that are known to them (we have a lot of near by strays and barn cats that know us), and they will be like oh hey your on the ground wanna cuddle or give pets! It really lets them see like well they are cool, maybe I can get a bit closer.
Once they are in range of petting, RESIST!!! Let them get like a foot away and then offer a hand for sniffs. Go SLOW, if they start to move back, withdraw or hold, if they dont bolt and you held it there they might lean in, once they lean in you can wait and judge or try to offer a pet. Work it from there. Best of luck, they look like a great one, I love the round face!
Any cat takes a lot of patience. A cat that’s been living wild is going to be scared at being trapped and will be harder to befriend. Give it some space and some time to adjust. Move slowly and speak gently. Offer food and treats on a regular basis. The cat will eventually decide you’re okay.
If you haven’t already, I recommend you talk with a vet and with your local SPCA or Humane Society. They can give you a lot of useful advice about the details.
You’re a good person. Don’t get discouraged. It will get better.
