I’ve fed a feral for a year twice a day on my porch. He has a warm mat and a cat house on porch wall. He’s been aggressive towards me recently - hissing and posturing when I come out the door in to the porch. This is scaring me - should I take away the mat or stop feeding him?
Hello Janice
Thank you for seeking advice and caring for him for one year. I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling scared.
Cats don't usually attack without reason. A cat suddenly hissing and showing aggressive behavior could be a sign of pain or illness.
If possible, try to take the cat to a vet. Alternatively, see if any mobile vets in your area can visit you. You can also check for any no-kill rescue organizations in your area that can help check the cat's health.
Sometimes, feral cats can become more demanding if they expect to be fed and you suddenly stop feeding them. In other cases, they will hunt more or migrate to different locations when food is scarce.
I recommend checking out Alley Cat Allies for more information on how to help feral cats.
I hope this advice is helpful to you.
Melina