Wild
Cats
Wild cats such as tigers, lions, panthers and cheetahs
all bring to mind beautiful, strong animals that can kill in a flash.
While these not-so-cuddly creatures appear cute and adorable in
nature shows or in the zoo, in real life you wouldn't get very close
and affectionate with them unless you were a professional circus
trainer.
Remember what happened to illusionist Roy Horn of the famous tiger-training
duo Siegfried and Roy?
Wild cats that remain in the wild are best appreciated from afar,
through the television or a safe safari SUV.
But, what about urban cats that run amok on vicious city streets?
These creatures are far from domesticated and exhibit some behaviors
of their larger feline relatives. When you encounter a stray cat,
you may be meeting a kitty that was born on the streets, in some
dark alley in the dead of winter.
Like any creature that comes from a difficult upbringing, these
urban wild cats can be tough, mean and are most likely scared for
their lives. They have learned how to live the hard way and that
is all they know.
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Arrr, ye bucko! How about a big kiss
for the Pirate Cat?
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Because of their unwanted position in life, they have most likely
not been treated well by humans and will be wary of any interaction.
Wild cats will be on the defense, like any creature that has not
enjoyed the comforts of proper parenting or a warm fire to curl
up near.
If you meet a wild cat and you want to take it in as your own,
the best way to go about it is to have a lot of patience. The wild
cat will be hungry and often travel with its brothers and sisters
or other strays, always looking for its next meal in a garbage can.
If you want the wild cat to warm up to you, you'll have to take
it slowly. Leaving bowls of food and water on your front step or
porch will encourage the wild thing to come and visit for breakfast,
lunch or dinner. It may run away when your open the door to greet
it at first or try to bite you if you reach out to pet it.
A good idea is to allow the wild cat to get used to coming to your
door for food. Once it figures out that the food will be there every
day, it will not be able to resist your charms. Try feeding the
wild cat out of your hand after a time, once this is accomplished,
you can attempt to pet it while feeding.
Slowly move the food and water closer to your home and once you
get the wild cat to come inside to eat, find a good place for its
nourishment. Most likely, it will come to love you and appreciate
your attempts at affection. All creatures need love and wild cats
maybe more than other kinds of domesticated feline, since they have
been starved of it in their little lives.
Once you build up trust between you and the wild cat, it will realize
the benefits of your warm house, sofa, lap and yummy treats you
provide for it and you'll be on your way to having a good relationship
that can last the rest of its life.
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