If the cat gets used to the area, feels safe, and has a food supply, she will stay there. They will remain if they have been there for a while and have not encountered any predators or dangers.
During the day, many stray cats seek out quiet, hidden places like under bushes or in abandoned structures to rest and avoid human activity.
Most stray cats have a territory where they can find food and shelter. They will constantly circle and mark that territory to alert other cats to their presence. Some felines may form shaky alliances, and occasionally territorial conflicts result.
Stray cats may form a colony to share a single territory if food is abundant. This happens a lot around people, especially those who leave a lot of food out on their porches or in open dumpsters.
Interestingly, stray cats have been observed to be more active during dawn and dusk, leveraging the low light to hunt and explore.
Cat colonies, on the other hand, are typically closed networks. Outsider cats are known to be aggressively hunted and killed in established cat colonies, especially when food is scarce. They may even attack your own kitten if you let it outside.
If you’ve ever wondered where stray cats go during the day, you’ll often find them sunning themselves on high spots like roofs or tree branches, where they can keep a keen eye on their territory below.
An older cat’s experience with the limited food supply, fighting with other cats over hard-to-catch prey in the area, and pushing other cats to move into other territories can make the cat more territorial.
Do Stray Cats Ever Leave Their Territory?
Stray cats will not leave unless forced to. They may depart in search of better, unoccupied territory nearby, which is more common in crowded areas, such as feral cat colonies in cities. They usually stay in their region unless they become lost or are chased away by other cats.
Stray cats can survive weeks without food and will not leave their territory easily. As they explore their territory, outdoor cats can have large ranges, sometimes measured in miles. If they find free food somewhere, they will return more frequently as part of their natural behavior.
The density and territories of other cats in the area and whether they have formed a colony will determine whether stray cats move or stay.
On the other hand, most cats are accustomed to their territory and know where the food sources are, so they stay put.
Do Stray Cats Leave and Come Back?
Yes, cats can return home after being lost or wandering for days, weeks, months, or even years. Strays will frequently feed at various houses and circle around. They will go to every home in their territory that provides them with a safe place to stay.
They may occasionally have territorial issues with another cat trespassing in their territory, so they must deal with this new threat that disrupts their routine. You may notice that a cat frequently leaves or does not appear.
Is It Normal for Stray Cats to Go Away Permanently?
It can happen if the stray cat does not know how to return to its territory or if something has prevented them from doing so. And this is extremely dangerous for the cat because of cars, dogs, and other humans that can injure or kill them.
When an aggressive stray cat chases a cat away, the cat may never come back. If the cat had a strong bond with you or you fed them well, it may still try and get to you at the cost of their lives.
And sometimes, unfortunately, they are killed by various means. Most stray cats die before they reach the age of one due to poisoning, car accidents, dog attacks, and a variety of other causes. So, if you see a possible stray cat, please assist them. Call a rescue, bring them in, and fix them.
This prevents future strays, does not harm them, helps them improve their lives, and allows them to live far longer than most of their stray brothers and sisters.
How Long Do Stray Cats Stay in the Same Place?
The cat may remain in the same location forever if it knows where the food is and where it is comfortable and warm. Strays will prefer to stay in familiar areas for as long as possible if they are safer and can establish a routine there. Even without food, they will remain until starvation.
If the stray found a plentiful supply of small animals to hunt and shelter, he would usually stay in the exact location for as long as possible. Cats are, after all, creatures of habit, and if they are forced to move around too much, it will be difficult for them to develop a routine.
Should You Move a Stray Cat to Another Urban Area?
Stray cats don’t usually go to another cat’s territory, and if you force them to go there and let them go, they might get killed before they can find their way back to safety. While they may linger because you will leave them food, it is still dangerous.
The main reason cats move is because of other stray cats. Hungry cats can be very territorial over their territory. They don’t want strangers stealing their food or even their own offspring after a few months. It’s much better to fully take care of the cat rather than moving and leaving them to fight for their lives.
FAQs
Should you ignore stray cats?
Try not to ignore them, but take them to the vet to check them for a microchip. They may still have owners if they are friendly. If this kitty is truly homeless, I’d recommend finding a foster or rescue home for the cat, as the cat will require vaccines and other medical care before moving into its new home.
Should you feed stray cats?
It’s not a good idea to only feed stray cats because it makes them dependent without solving the problem directly and makes things worse. The best thing you can do for the neighborhood and the stray cats is to try to feed, spay/neuter, vaccinate, and house as many stray cats as possible.
Do stray cats trust humans?
Truly wild, feral cats do not trust us and usually cannot be socialized. Stray cats, though, can be friendly. Some will be trustful straightaway, while others will require time and patience to establish trust. Because stray cats are frequently hungry, the best first step is to feed the kitty and provide plenty of water and food.
Alex, a passionate animal lover, has experience in training and understanding animal behavior. As a proud pet parent to two dogs and three cats, he founded AnimalReport.net to share insights from animal experts and expand his knowledge of the animal kingdom.
