Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Molly DeVoss and by How.com.vn staff writer, Devin McSween. Molly DeVoss is a Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist (CFTBS), a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant (CCBC), a Fear Free Certified Trainer (FFCT), and the Founder of Cat Behavior Solutions. Molly specializes in using positive reinforcement to modify and prevent unwanted behaviors in cats and reduce cat shelter surrender. Molly has sat on the Dallas Animal Advisory committee since 2013 and was voted one of the Top 12 Extraordinary Cat Behaviorists of 2020 by Catpetclub.com. She is certified by both the Animal Behavior Institute and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She is also the host of the weekly podcast Cat Talk Radio.
There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Having a stray cat come up to you and follow you home is a super sweet gesture that might hold powerful spiritual meanings. A stray cat choosing you might mean they’re your spirit guide, that a spiritual transformation is near, or that you have a good heart. Keep reading to learn all about the spiritual meanings of getting chosen by a stray cat, as well as what to do when they choose you. We've also included tips from certified cat behavior consultants on how to befriend a stray kitty.
What Does It Mean If a Stray Cat Chooses You?
A stray cat choosing you could mean they’re your spirit guide. They might guide you on your journey, protect you from negativity, or give you wisdom. A stray cat following you might be a sign that you’re undergoing a spiritual transformation that will help you grow and heal. It can also be a signal to trust your intuition.
Steps
What to Do When a Stray Cat Follows You
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Ensure that the stray cat doesn’t belong to someone. Look for a collar on the cat, as this can be a sign they have an owner and might be lost. If they don’t have a collar, post that you found the cat online or tape fliers around your neighborhood. Then, call local shelters in your area to make a lost cat report.[12]- Ask your neighbors if they know anything about the cat, too.
- If the cat does have a collar, contact the person on the tag to let them know you found their cat.
Gain the stray cat’s trust by giving them food and water. If the cat is skittish, give them some cat food or tuna and a clean bowl of water.[13] Certified cat behavior consultant Molly DeVoss agrees, saying, “The fastest way to a cat’s heart is through [their] stomach. Providing regular meals and allowing the cat to approach you on [their] own timeframe and comfort level are foundations for relationship success.”- It’s important to treat the stray cat with kindness and ensure they’re safe to show your thanks for the universe’s guidance. Some believe that this brings you more luck and positive karma.
Approach the cat calmly and with respect. It can take time to gain the stray cat’s trust. Along with providing them food and water each day, feline behavior consultant Carrie Seay recommends making, “calm, quiet movements [and] not rushing towards them, not making scary eye contact, becoming as small as possible, and not letting them think that you're kind of this big, scary monster” so they get used to you.- Understand the cat’s body language so you know when they’re threatened and need space. According to Molly DeVoss, certified cat behavior consultant, scared cats usually “hold their body close to the ground…The ears might be out to the side or flattened. The whiskers will be held back against the face and they may be growling, yowling, or hissing.”
Take the cat to the vet to check that they’re healthy. Lure the cat into a cage by filling a humane trap with wet food or treats and covering it with a towel. Then, bring the cat to your local veterinarian. They will make sure the cat is spayed or neutered and protected against common diseases.[14]- Many vets provide these health services (i.e., spaying, neutering, common vaccinations) for free.
- Ask the vet to scan the cat for a microchip to ensure they don’t belong to anyone, too.
Take the cat to your local shelter. Contact a cat rescue organization or no-kill shelter in your area to see if they can take in the cat. They have the resources to care for the cat and find someone to foster or adopt them.[15]- If the shelter has no room, foster the kitty as you find them a new home. Ask your friends, family, and trusted acquaintances if they want to take in the cat. Or, post about them on sites like Facebook or Craigslist.
Keep the cat. If you have the time and resources to take in the cat, do it—it might have chosen you for a reason, after all. To care for your cat, give them a warm, cozy bed, a scratch post, and fun toys to enrich them. Then, put their litter box in a quiet space and their food and water dishes in a different room.[16]- Put a collar on your cat so people can identify them if they get lost. Make sure the tag has your cat’s name, your name, and a way to reach you on it.
- Or, get your cat microchipped at your veterinarian’s office.
Expert Q&A
Tips
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cat behavior, check out our in-depth interview with Molly DeVoss.
References
- ↑ https://spiritualinsights.info/when-a-stray-cat-chooses-you-spiritual-meaning/
- ↑ https://witchcraftandwitches.com/witchcraft/terms-familiar/
- ↑ https://themissingpieceinlife.com/when-a-stray-cat-chooses-you-the-spiritual-meaning/
- ↑ https://themissingpieceinlife.com/when-a-stray-cat-chooses-you-the-spiritual-meaning/
- ↑ https://themissingpieceinlife.com/when-a-stray-cat-chooses-you-the-spiritual-meaning/
- ↑ https://themissingpieceinlife.com/when-a-stray-cat-chooses-you-the-spiritual-meaning/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/mindfulness-exercises/art-20046356
- ↑ https://www.fromtheangels.com/spirituality/when-a-stray-cat-chooses-you-spiritual-meaning/
- ↑ https://spiritualinsights.info/when-a-stray-cat-chooses-you-spiritual-meaning/
- ↑ https://themissingpieceinlife.com/when-a-stray-cat-chooses-you-the-spiritual-meaning/
- ↑ https://themissingpieceinlife.com/when-a-stray-cat-chooses-you-the-spiritual-meaning/
- ↑ https://spcanova.org/resources/found-a-cat-or-dog/what-to-do-if-youve-found-a-stray-cat/
- ↑ https://spcanova.org/resources/found-a-cat-or-dog/what-to-do-if-youve-found-a-stray-cat/
- ↑ https://spcanova.org/resources/found-a-cat-or-dog/what-to-do-if-youve-found-a-stray-cat/
- ↑ https://spcanova.org/resources/found-a-cat-or-dog/what-to-do-if-youve-found-a-stray-cat/
- ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/general-cat-care
- ↑ https://www.thehappycatsite.com/what-does-it-mean-if-a-cat-follows-you-home/
- ↑ https://www.thehappycatsite.com/what-does-it-mean-if-a-cat-follows-you-home/
- ↑ https://thepetrescue.com/stray-kittens-follow-you/
- ↑ https://www.thehappycatsite.com/what-does-it-mean-if-a-cat-follows-you-home/
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