Where Do Stray Cats Go During the Day?

We all encounter stray cats on a regular basis. According to an estimate, there are more than 60 million stray cats only in the United States of America. Cats are curious by nature. Even the domestic cats wander around from time to time.

So, it’s rational to ask, where do stray cats go during the day?

Well, there is no general answer to this question. You cannot read the mind of a cat, and no two felines are the same. So, we can only guess what kind of adventure your little furball is doing in the daytime.

This article will give you a more detailed insight into a stray cat’s behavior to help you understand how these felines survive and what they do during the day:

Difference Between Feral and Stray Cat

Before answering your question, it’s important to distinguish between a feral cat and a stray cat. Most people think both feral and stray cats are the same. However, this couldn’t be any far from the truth. There is quite a significant difference between a feral and a stray cat.

Feral cats have never ever lived with humans. They don’t know how to socialize like domestic cats and are very scared of humans. On the other hand, the strays are ones that used to have a family. This means stray cats used to live in a home and know how to socialize.

In other words, feral cats are not adoptable. Their behavior is not predictable. In contrast, stray cats are simply lost or missing cats.  

Where Does a Stray Cat Go During the Day?

If you have a stray cat in your neighborhood, you might get attached to it. Compared to feral, strays are more socialized and love to get the attention of humans. So, they might find your weak spot and get your affection and love. 

In case you are attached to a stray cat, you might wonder, where do stray cats go during the day? Stray cats are like domestic ones; they won’t go any far and will show predictable behavior. Here are some places where a stray cat can go during the day:

Food Sources

Cats are fierce predators. If your stray cat has seen a small rodent or a bird, he/she will start to hunt that animal as a food source. Cats usually follow their stomach. So, if a stray cat is hungry, it will wander around to find something to eat. 

If you have lost a stray cat, think where they could find something to eat. If it’s hungry, your stray cat will be around bins or neighbors who like to place food out for stray animals. Keep in mind that the sense of smell of a hungry cat is exceptional. So, you might have to spend your whole day finding a stray cat.

Abandoned Buildings

As mentioned earlier, cats are curious by nature. These felines love abandoned buildings. If you go to an abandoned building in your area, you will surely see several feral cats in there. Stray cats are the same. If a cat has access to abandoned buildings, outbuildings, or little-used buildings, he/she will spend most of its day there to get some privacy.

Wooded Area

Where do stray cats go during the summer? When the temperature is at its peak in summer, a stray cat will go to a wooded area to get protection from the sun. Stray cats like wooded areas, even overgrown weeds or dense bushes, because they offer all essential needs.

A wooded area is an ideal place for a stray cat. Through this approach, they can get access to plenty of food while avoiding humans. If your stray cat finds a comfortable wooded area, you might not even see her again.

Look Close to Home

So, you have looked for your stray cat in the wooded area and abandoned building, but everything is in vain – what should you do?

Well, you don’t have to give up. Stray cats don’t usually go far if they are getting all their requirements. The basic needs of stray cats include:

• A safe and secure place
• Warm and quality shelter
• Water and food

Furthermore, cats are most active at dusk or dawn. So, you should find a place that is comfortable and safe for a cat. Where do stray cats go during winter? In winter, it’s a possibility that your stray cat is sleeping on the roof to get some warmth. 

Just look for that certain cat near your home. Check your garage, gaps under your house, crawl spaces that are dry and warm.  

Where Do Stray Cats Go When It Rains?

Stray cats are not fond of rain. As these cats are usually domestic ones, they have experienced the comfort of warm and dry places. Therefore, a stray cat will look for a dry and comfortable hiding spot when it rains. 

If for some reason, a stray cat is unable to find a comfortable place, it will select the nearest option. These nearest options include beneath porches & decks, under overhangs or alcoves, inside garages, beneath houses, and underneath cats.

Additionally, some stray cats even pick junk piles, sheds and abandoned buildings to enjoy the rain while keeping them dry. 

What to Do with a Stray Cat That Won’t Leave?

Are you wondering, why does a stray cat want to come into my house? As mentioned earlier, stray cats are not like feral ones. These felines know the comfort and love of humans. So, they try to get into your house to find a safe and secure place.

Don’t be too harsh if you don’t like a stray cat. These felines are quite fragile; even a little spanking can lead to internal bleeding. So, just call the animal shelter, cat rescue group, or animal control and ask for their help.

Conclusion

We hope you have understood where stray cats go during the day. If you are fond of a stray cat, but cannot find it, just look near your home, in abandoned buildings, near wooded areas or inside the bins.