How To Trap A Difficult Cat As a professional cat trapper, I know the challenges of catching a difficult feral cat. Whether you’re dealing with a stubborn outdoor cat or a frightened, lost indoor pet, trapping can require a lot of patience, planning, and persistence. In this guide, I’ll discuss trapping tips, tools, and techniques for how to trap a difficult cat. Key Takeaways: Understanding Cat Behavior As an experienced cat trapper, I’ve learned that understanding feline and feral behavior is crucial to successfully trapping community cats. Stray cats are independent animals with a strong sense of autonomy, and they can display a range of behaviors when faced with a trapping situation. By observing their body language and instinctive behavior, you can anticipate their reactions and adjust your approach accordingly. Body Language and Instinctive Behavior When approaching a feral cat, it’s important to be aware of their body language. Cats can display a range of signals that can indicate their level of comfort and willingness to engage with humans. Body Language Meaning Relaxed body, tail held high The cat is comfortable and interested Ears flattened, tail twitching The cat is agitated and may be preparing to attack Arched back, fur standing on end The cat is scared or threatened and may be preparing to flee Understanding feline instincts is helpful when trying to trap shy cats. Domestic cats are descendants of wild cats, and they retain the same predatory instincts as their ancestors. When placed in a trapping situation, cats will often rely on these instincts to protect themselves, making it necessary to anticipate their behavior and adjust your approach accordingly. Adjusting Your Approach To effectively trap a difficult cat, it may be necessary to adjust your approach based on their behavior. If a cat is displaying signs of aggression or agitation, it may be necessary to move slowly and approach them calmly. If a cat is scared or attempting to flee, it may be necessary to use food or other lures to entice them into a trap when you are not there. Additionally, it’s important to avoid chasing or cornering a cat, as this can further agitate them and make it difficult to trap them successfully. Instead, it’s best to approach a cat calmly and patiently and allow them to come to the trap on their own. Many trappers prefer to use a drop trap for feral cats. However, if your presence makes the cat nervous, you can use a regular humane trap like a gravity trap or spring-loaded trap to catch the target cat. Preparing Your Trapping Space Creating a suitable trapping space is crucial for capturing a difficult cat. To prepare your trapping space, you’ll need to select the right tools, set up the necessary equipment, and ensure the environment is safe and open for setting your trap. Selecting the Right Tools When it comes to selecting the right tools for cat trapping, there are various factors to consider, including the size and strength of the cat, the trap’s durability, and the type of trigger mechanism. For example, if you’re trapping a larger, stronger cat, a heavy-duty trap like the Tru Catch Fat Cat trap might be required. Make sure the trap is rated for the weight and size of the cat you’re trying to catch. It’s possible for an extremely wild cat to break through the trap door or destroy the trip plate, ruining your trap. Setting Up Necessary Equipment Before setting up your traps, ensure that the area is clear of any potential hazards, such as sharp objects or dangerous chemicals. If you’re using cat food bait to lure the cat into the box trap, ensure that it is placed properly behind the trip plate and doesn’t prevent the trigger from pulling. It is also helpful to set up a camera to monitor the trap’s activity and observe the cat’s behavior when in the trapping space. Here’s our list of the best trail cameras for TNR and cat trapping. Ensuring Safe and Secure Environment A skittish cat can be easily stressed in unfamiliar environments, so it’s important to create a trapping space that is safe and secure. The area should be free of loud noises and excessive movement to avoid scaring the cat. Pro Tip: Place a blanket over the trap to create a more inviting and secure space for the cat to enter. Be sure not to cover the trap door opening or prevent the trap door closing. Baiting and Luring Techniques When it comes to trapping a difficult cat, baiting and luring techniques can significantly increase your chances of success. However, it’s important to remember that cats are naturally suspicious and curious creatures, so selecting the right bait and lures is crucial. If you are feeding stray cats, it’s ideal to withhold food for a day or two before trying to trap them. Pro Tip: Place the trap in an area where the cat is likely to roam, such as near a food source or a comfortable resting spot. Scent-Based Lures Cats have a keen sense of smell, making scent-based lures a highly effective trapping technique. Consider using canned cat food, tuna, sardines, cooked chicken, jarred baby food (for cats), or other strong-smelling cat treats to coax wary cats into the trap. You can also try placing a small amount of catnip inside or near the trap to pique their interest. Many trappers will leave a trail of tiny food scraps leading into the trap door and even on the trap floor. Pro Tip: Avoid using overly pungent or fragrant lures, as these can be off-putting to the cat and may deter them from entering the trap. Use regular food that cats eat. Visual Lures Cats are naturally drawn to movement and visual stimuli, making visual lures a great addition to your cat-trapping strategy. If your target cat isn’t food-motivated, try using a laser pointer or attaching a feather toy to a string and dangling it above or inside the trap to
