Effective Ways to Approach Stray Cats: A Guide

When interacting with stray cats, it's best to adopt a smaller stature by crouching, sitting, or even lying down (if you're not squeamish) to minimize the appearance of a threatening figure. This approach can help prevent the cats from perceiving you as a potential danger.

Make yourself appear smaller to the cats.

When engaging with a cat, direct your gaze to a point about a meter in front of them, avoiding direct eye contact. Unlike humans, cats interpret direct eye contact as a sign of threat rather than friendliness. This behavior can trigger a confrontation or lead to a fight. Be mindful of this when interacting with them.

Place a small amount of food on the ground, then step back 12 meters and crouch down. Wait for the cat to approach you or the food on its own. This process may take some time, as stray cats are often cautious and require ample time to assess whether you pose a threat. In some cases, they might need several days of interaction before feeling comfortable enough to come closer.

Even if the stray cat seems particularly friendly, it's crucial to avoid feeding them by hand. Friendly strays may not be overly cautious around humans and often lack experience with human interaction, making them less socially adept. Handfeeding or standing still while holding food can easily lead to accidental injuries from a hungry stray that's eager to eat.