Stray cat :
A stray is an animal that once had a home with humans but no longer does. They may have got lost or been abandoned by their previous owner. Usually more friendly and approachable than a feral cat, they might allow you to touch them. Their coat will probably be dirty, as the stress of having to fend for themselves can cause them to neglect their hygiene. Strays are more likely to make eye contact and exhibit friendly body language, such as a raised tail. They are usually found in areas close to where humans are, and tend to roam alone as opposed to feral cats, which live in colonies. A stray may be able to live with humans again.
Despite this, they aren’t necessarily going to be approachable or friendly to begin with. They might have had bad experiences with humans, either before or after they became a stray, which could make them less likely to trust you. In this case, try to gain their confidence by befriending them.
Feral cat :
Feral animals are born in the wild and have never had a home with humans. As such, they are able to look after themselves. It can be extremely difficult to socialise a feral cat once they have matured, but kittens can be rehomed as long as this is done so early enough in their lives. They are less likely to have been spayed or neutered than a stray, so a pregnant cat is probably feral. One way of recognising a feral cat is if they have a V-shaped split at the top of their ear or if the tip appears to have been sliced off, as this indicates they have been trapped, neutered and released. Also, their coat will be clean compared to a stray’s.
Typical body language and behaviour from a feral cat would include avoiding eye contact and crouching close to the ground, whilst protecting their body with their tail. Feral cats usually live in colonies and tend to stay away from areas where humans are prevalent, so they may appear frightened or aggressive when approached. Something as simple as reaching your arm out to them could be perceived as a threat, so expect a feral cat to run away when confronted by a human. They tend to live in areas where food and shelter are readily available, near bins, barns or in abandoned buildings.
