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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/cat behavior
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Question
I HAVE BEEN TAKING CARE OF 3 FERAL CATS SINCE THEY WERE ABOUT 2 MONTH OLD. IS IT NORMAL FOR THE FEMALE CATS TO LEAVE HOME AFTER ABOUT 7-9 MONTHS? I HAVE 2 FEMALES AND 1 MALE. BUT ONLY THE COMES HOME TO EAT STILL.
Zina,
If the females are not spayed that is very common behavior. Ferals have a tendency to come and go, especially if they are in heat. There are many organizations and vets that spay and neuter ferals for free, I would try to get them done. The male now since he is still there. Call the SPCA or Animal Control and ask about local information for fixing ferals.
I feed a number of ferals and sometimes I don't see certain ones, then they show up again, usually when they have been bred. I have been doing the TNR (trap/neuter/return-release) and it has helped a lot of the wandering.
Tabbi
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Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
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* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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