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Original poster

Half wild cat attacked me.

55 replies

rainbowvalley17 · 20/11/2019 16:35

There’s a cat that’s been sleeping in my outbuilding. He seemed hungry so I’ve been taking food out every day for him. I think he’s feral because he hisses every time he sees me, not really used to humans I don’t think.

However yesterday after I’d fed him he pounced on the back of my leg and scratched me quite hard. It was scary because it was so unexpected. Luckily I had joggers on but even so he still managed to make my leg bleed. Now I’m frightened to go in there. My dh says stop feeding him and he’ll go away, but I feel sorry for him. Would I be unreasonable to stop feeding him, or carry on and risk being attacked again? What would you all do?

OP posts:
CSIblonde · 20/11/2019 16:44

Hmm. That's unusual, we're you were walking away or stood over him & v close ? . I've fed many semi feral strays. The food builds trust & I've never been attacked with no contact (usually don't even go there for months, depending on how wild, then just offer the back of my hand for a sniff & see how it goes ). Did you stand over him or move quickly or make a noise with stuff you'd bought etc? I usually talk very quietly, crouch down so I'm not so big & scary & towering over them, then back away slowly & go. Going in over or above them they see as a threat. Me being me I'd give it one more go.

lumity · 20/11/2019 16:45

I would keep feeding him, but just leave the food some distance away and go. Poor thing. He / she has probably been very mistreated and is terrified. Also it’s winter coming, You are lovely to bother doing this.

MunchMunch · 20/11/2019 16:48

I'm a glutton for punishment and I'd keep feeding him but I wouldn't enter the building as he probably felt trapped. Feed him outside of the door and stand back. Don't try and touch him but I wouldn't just feed him and leave. I'd hang about close enough that he isn't threatened but he might start associating you with nice things I.e food. I think if he is truly feral or been abandoned long enough that he's turned feral he might never let you do anything other than feed him.

Cats have trouble keeping warm and in January I took in a stray cat from my garden but I made him a warm bed using a plastic storage tub and straw to try and keep him warm in the snow.

I realised a few month later that another cat was also living in my garden (pregnant female) and she was much more wild than my cat but after a few weeks of feeding her at a distance she eventually let us stroke her and walk into the house but was still very skittish. I think she was looking for somewhere to give birth. Sadly I had to hand her over to a local animal rescue.

And just because most people love a cat photo I'll add my cat's before and after Grin

Half wild cat attacked me.
Half wild cat attacked me.
Half wild cat attacked me.
PettyContractor · 20/11/2019 16:49

That's really odd. I thought feral cats were afraid of people and wouldn't go anywhere near them. Was it cornered?

DisplayPurposesOnly · 20/11/2019 16:50

It's kind of you to feed him (or her). I couldn't let him starve either.

I'd go for wearing thicker trousers (and wellies if he's aiming low!) and make a noise on the approach so he's not surprised. Don't block his exit. Use a stick to push food bowl into place.

It's pretty cold too so if you have any old towels etc that could go into a cardboard box, I'm sure he'd like that. (In my shed, I have a box with extra cardboard in the bottom, then a smaller box inside the bigger box. I've stuffed newspapers in the gap between the bigger box and the smaller one. Then old towels in the smaller box.)

I'd ring the RSPCA and or local cat rescue to see if they can collect him.

SarahLovesMarmite · 20/11/2019 16:51

I wonder if he is injured or in pain? This can make animals lash out.
Can you get a cat charity to come and trap him to get him to a vet?

Original poster
rainbowvalley17 · 20/11/2019 16:51

It’s weird because I thought he was used to me. I was actually walking away when he pounced. He actually stopped eating to do it.

OP posts:
CaptainCabinets · 20/11/2019 16:51

Probably felt cornered (although I don’t for a second think that was the case!), never know what he might’ve been through Sad

If you don’t feel comfortable keeping up feeding him, can you contact a local shelter to collect him so he doesn’t freeze Sad

WombleishOfTheThighs · 20/11/2019 16:52

Munch, aw, that's lovely about your cat. He's a very lucky boy and so handsome too.

WombleishOfTheThighs · 20/11/2019 16:54

Rainbow, maybe something else spooked him prior to you feeding him? Please don't give up on him.

PanicAndRun · 20/11/2019 16:55

I'd keep feeding him even if I had to stop getting close.

He could've felt cornered, had a bad experience earlier or more likely he's injured/in pain.

ThreeLittleDots · 20/11/2019 16:56

I'd suspect that the cat is very poorly - Cats Protection may come out and trap him / her and check them out with a vet - maybe chipped or rehomed?

ThreeLittleDots · 20/11/2019 16:58

To not contact anyone about the cat would be cruel in these temperatures

Original poster
rainbowvalley17 · 20/11/2019 16:59

The trouble is I have to go in the building to use the washing machine. I’m so nervous now going in there.

OP posts:
Original poster
rainbowvalley17 · 20/11/2019 17:01

He won’t be cold because I’ve made him a cosy bed, that’s if he wants to use it.

OP posts:
MitziK · 20/11/2019 17:03

I'm only half joking here - Wear wellingtons (and/or cricket pads if your DH plays). Stick food down as far away from the washing machine as possible - or outside.

It's probably your movement as he was eating that startled him.

ThreeLittleDots · 20/11/2019 17:04

The life of a feral cat is horrible and they often don't make it to 5 or 6yrs due to fights, infections, diseases etc. Please call an animal rescue charity OP and things could be turned around for them.

Or at least they could get neutered by them for free to reduce the feral population.

GroupCaptainChablis · 20/11/2019 17:05

Please don't stop feeding him. I agree with others that it might indicate that he isn't very well.

However, our 3 yr old domestic tabby cat does stuff like this. She is playing. She waits on the landing and then when you're coming upstairs she attacks your head through the banisters. Or waits until you're sitting at the table or on the sofa to suddenly decide to use your leg as a scratching post. Those claws really hurt! Or she indicates she wants a tummy rub, which you provide, and then you find all 4 paws and claws deployed plus teeth.

I hope he's OK op. Please don't stop feeding him though. Not in this cold weather.

Elieza · 20/11/2019 17:05

The cat would be much happier being rehomed with a forever family and that can’t happen unless he goes to a rehoming centre. They can give you a large trap to put down in the garage with your food and blankets and the door will shut behind him and he can get proper care.
I have cat and next door had this wild stray living in their garage that I didn’t know about. I noticed my cat was totally off her food and kept patrolling the fence line and the back patio doors if I kept her in. I had no idea why. Cost me a fortune in vet fees to see if something was wrong as she was losing weight through not eating. Turned out it was fear if this big male wildcat. I was glad when it left and she’s eating now but has lost a good percentage of weight and is thin, poor old girl. So although you are helping one cat and are doing great, there could be another side to this story that a neighbours cat is terrified!

RatherBeRiding · 20/11/2019 17:08

In your position I would contact Cats Protection to see if they can trap and remove him safely.

In the meantime I would definitely keep feeding but is there an option to make him a cosy den elsewhere and feed him there, that doesn't involve him taking over your outbuilding? A plastic dustbin on its side lined with cardboard and with a cosy bed or something similar? He possibly sees the outbuilding now as 'his' safe place and was defending it?

bodgeitandscarper · 20/11/2019 17:08

I'd suspect he's unwell too.He'll also probably be entire and have hormones running riot. You'd be doing him a favour trapping and neutering him, your local rescue should be able to help. It makes a big difference to being able to tame them.
I've got several ex feral cats who were terrifying to approach and handle, but they are all tame now and one is the soppiest cat. Patience, understanding and perseverance pays off, please don't stop feeding him, he will be relying on you and life is hard enough for them without going hungry.

RatherBeRiding · 20/11/2019 17:09

Just to add - a lot of farmers, livery yards etc welcome feral cats to keep down the rats and mice and can offer safe, dry outbuildings and food in return. The CPL should be able to advise further.

Aloe6 · 20/11/2019 17:10

Whenever I’ve been unexpectedly lashed out at it’s because the cat sick or injured. Usually an abscess which would be no surprise if he’s living wild. Please get him trapped so a vet can assess.

TildaKauskumholm · 20/11/2019 17:11

You have been kind OP but I agree best to get him to a rescue centre.

MadamHattie · 20/11/2019 17:14

Agree with others, you're a lovely person for looking after him. Just wanted to say keep an eye on the scratch as cat scratches can be very nasty and turn quite yucky

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