What Is the Meaning of a Cat at My Door?
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Many people are surprised when they get home and find a beautiful cat on their doorstep. In general, this is a stray cat begging for something. Due to a lack of resources they are most likely seeking food, heat and safety. As life on the street presents many dangers and challenges for its survival, they may need to take a chance n you. There are also some theories that interpret this phenomenon as a having a spiritual meaning. They claim it is a sign of good luck and fortune for members of this household. However, practical concerns are the most important to consider.
If you are experiencing this situation you have definitely come to the right page. In this article at AnimalWised we will explain to you what is the meaning of a cat at my door? We explain how we can interpret this and what we should do.
What is the spiritual meaning of cats around your house?
If cats are found around your house, it can be an odd experience for some. In fact, some people may even get a little spooked. However, domestic cats are part of our ecosystems, especially if we live in urban or suburban areas.
Many superstitious beliefs affirm that cats could be able to perceive good energy and would always be oriented towards homes where they feel peace, serenity and positive vibrations. When a cat wants to enter your home, it is popularly said that your home is free of bad energy and transmits to this cat the optimal conditions it needs to feel safe and develop tranquility and good health. They also used to believe that felines brought good luck and fortune to the houses where they chose to live.
Some esoteric theories claim cats are mystical animals, owners of a sharp sixth sense that allows them to develop certain supernatural abilities. Among them, one can find this ability to absorb and ward off bad energies from environments. According to mysticism, the spiritual meaning behind a cat near your house is that it has a mission to fulfill in your life. This mission would be to remove negativity from your environment and protect you from bad spirits. In many countries, cats are still worshiped as a kind of spiritual talisman.
There is no scientific basis to support these superstitions. What we can say is that cats bring joy to many people around the world and any visit can at the very least add some positivity to your day. This is shown in the many benefits of adopting a cat as a faithful companion. Although we can not verify whether or not felines are magnets of good fortune, we know that our kittens are capable of filling our home and our lives with joy, affection and positive feelings.
We also need to be careful when we apply spiritual meanings to cats. For example, some superstitions claim that black cats are bad omens, although other cultures see them as signs of good luck. This has led to black cats being adopted less than other breeds simply due to their color. Learn about the true characteristics of black cats with our related guide.
What does it mean when a cat hangs round your house?
If a cat tries to enter your house or meows at the door, it is very likely that it is looking for a safe refuge. A stray cat can find it difficult to find food, warmth and optimal conditions for its development. If this cat was abandoned or was born in the streets, it could be that he is cold, hungry, thirsty or very frightened. There are many dangers on the street which threaten their security.
A begging cat may see you as a first choice, but their circumstances might lead them to your house. For example, if there has been bad weather, they may come to your house for shelter. If they have been chased by predators they may come to you for security. A sick cat might also come to you as they do not have any other option. For this latter reason, we need to be careful when a stray cat come to your house in terms of hygiene.
Therefore, if a cat wants to enter your home, it most likely just needs a safe and quiet shelter, as well as some general care to feel better and regain its well-being. Another reason they may hang around your home is whether or not they see other cats. If you leave out food for other animals or cats, they might see you as a suitable resource. This is not a new behavior. In fact, it is now believed to be likely that cats domesticated themselves for similar reasons[1].
If you need to determine whether a cat at your door is in need, look out for the symptoms of stress in cats they might display.
How to tell if a cat is a stray
Before you know what to do when a stray cat comes to your house, you need to know if it is indeed a stray cat. First, look to see if they have any collar, tags or other obvious signs they belong to someone. While it is possible, cats do not tend to stray too far from the home where they feed and sleep. For this reason, it is possible a neighbor's cat has simply come to your house.
The first thing you need to do is to take the cat to a veterinarian. They will be able to check to see if they have a microchip embedded in their skin. If they have, the cat's owner's details should appear and you can get in touch with them. If the cat does not have a microchip, this does not mean they do not have an owner. You should put up posters and canvas your local area to see if the cat is indeed missing. You may take a shine to the cat, but put yourself in the shoes of a missing cat owner. They will be heartbroken and you have the chance to mend it if you return their feline family member to them.
Another aspect you need to consider is if the cat is actually a stray. A stray or abandoned cat is a domestic cat which has either gone missing or has suffered neglect. They at one stage had a home and adapted to this kind of living. A feral cat is one which never lived in a domestic setting and it is unlikely they will adapt easily to living with you. More likely, they will still live outside and hang round your home to be fed.
What to do when a stray cat comes to your house
When sure the cat is stray and when you can't locate their owner, there are different things you should do when they come to your house. In principle, the best thing to do to help this cat is to let them in, offer a blanket or a dry towel and a space where they can feel warm and safe. If you notice that the cat is wet and you feel safe to get close, you can dry them gently using a dry towel.
If the cat is nervous, aggressive or fearful, it is best to avoid touching it until it adapts to its environment and is calm. You will need to approach the scared cat carefully and not frighten them further.
It will also be essential to offer this cat a plate of food to satisfy its hunger and giving it some strength. If you do not have dry feed or cat pats, you can prepare a nutritious homemade meal. However, if it is a kitten, the food will be different to adult cats.
If you have the time and conditions to offer a decent and happy life to this cat and decide to adopt it, it will be essential to update its vaccination and deworming calendar. Since you will need to take them to the veterinarian to check if they have a microchip, you should ask them to perform an examination. In a veterinary clinic, a professional will also request the necessary tests to diagnose possible pathologies and establish an adequate treatment for the feline.
You will also need to condition your home to offer optimal conditions to your new cat. If you already have another cat, each animal must have its own toys, food bowls, drinking fountain, litter tray and resting areas. In addition, it will be essential to correctly present your cat to their new partner. Over time, your cats can learn to share their environments and enjoy each others company, but initially we must avoid them fighting over territory.
It is also important to consult the veterinarian about sterilization or castration of your new cat. Unsterilized cats can escape from home to look for females in the streets and they can become more vulnerable to various diseases. In addition, sterilization is crucial to combat street overcrowding and prevent more babies from being born in inhospitable street conditions.
Adopting a cat is a big responsibility and it may be that you simply do not have the resources to meet it. Although this may be unfortunate, it is perfectly understandable. In these cases, you will need to take the cat to your nearest animal shelter (if you are sure they are indeed a stray or abandoned cat). The veterinarian should be able to provide some practical assistance in these instances.
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1. Ottoni, C., et al. (2017). The Palaeogenetics of Cat Dispersal in the Ancient World. Nature: Ecology & Evolution, 1:0139.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-017-0139