Expert: Dear Tabbi - 10/3/2008

Question
Hi...I emailed you a couple weeks ago about a feral cat I was feeding. I hope you remember. Anyway, that cat, which turned out to be male, FINALLY got to the point that he would let me pet him on several occasions. The last time was last Sunday. I just kept talkin' to the cat in a calm voice, and reached down and started rubbing the cats head which he seemed fine with, so I started to go down his back...he also seemed fine with that to the point that he finally stood up and started pushing back like a "normal" house cat would do. Then...the enevitable happened. A neighbor drove in and slammed the car door shut, it spooked the cat and he turned around in the blink of an eye and bit my hand on both sides and I gotta couple little claw marks out of the deal too. Problem. Now I haven't seen that cat since then. I don't know, but I'd bet the cat had never had a rabies shot so I'm sorta concerned. This afternoon while calling for the cat which I've done everyday since Sunday, another feral cat arrived on the scene. A solid white cat with a black tail...and VERY skiddish. I could tell that this cat came to eat only because of hunger. "It" would only eat one piece of food at a time always keepin' an eye on me, but that's ok I guess. I'm not a person to jump to hysterical conclusions, but should I be concerned about possibly having contacted rabies from the other cat since it's now for 5 days vanished without a trace?, and should I continue to put out food for this secondary cat since it probably has no rabies shots either? Any precautions you could recommend? Thanks and have a great weekend.
Chuck

Answer
Chuck,

You would have a VERY slim chance of getting rabies from the cat. And if the cat had rabies you have noticed the symptoms and the cat would have died before now. Very few cats have rabies now days. I was also bitten by a very sickly feral cat but with no problems luckily. It IS a concern, but not a large one anymore. It's best to wear gloves when touching a feral.

Here is an article to read on rabies that is good:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1316&articleid=346

If you keep food out I would say that your feral is still around but not coming to you. Ferals have no where to go and where there is food they will be nearby.

Ferals DO NOT like to be petted or held. Distrust of humans is inbred into them and they are not like domesticated cats. If you do pet them, just do it briefly. They can become very loving but they will usually stay skittish. If they become scared they will strike without thinking. It is a reaction.

Yes, you should still feed the new cat and I wouldn't worry about rabies....just use caution. To be on the safe side I would speak to a vet if you have further concerns. He/She can tell you if there have been any cases of rabies in the past few years in your area.

Tabbi