Stray Cat Meowing at My Door Meaning and What to Do

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As a cat lover, I believe kittens can sense who’s a cat person, and that’s how they know whose door to knock on. However, I can’t prove this theory, so I can only assume kitties have a sixth sense.

The truth could be that stray kittens meow at your door because they’re hungry, hurt, or want inside. Usually, stray cats that meow at people’s doors have been someone’s pets, and they’re either lost or abandoned by their original owners.

Another possibility is that a stray kitten meows at your door because they’re in heat, and you have male cats inside. Whatever the reason, if it’s a friendly kitty, I suggest calling a rescue organization and helping find the cat’s past owners.

Meanwhile, providing water and food can make the homeless cat feel comfortable.

Remember that stray kitties lead miserable lives, especially if they were someone’s pets and don’t have the survival skills of feral cats and other wild animals.

Below, you will find possible reasons why a stray cat’s meowing at your door, along with the spiritual meaning of a cat meowing at your door, so take a look.

A Cat Keeps Coming to My House and Meowing: 7 Possible Reasons

I’ve read somewhere that we don’t choose cats, but cats choose us, and I believe that’s true.

However, I also believe stray cats show up at our doors for logical reasons, like hunger, thirst, pain, pregnancy, confusion, etc. Whatever the reason, you should determine if the cat’s stray or feral before you open up your heart and home for adoption.

Here’s a breakdown of both types of outdoor cats before I discuss the possible reasons a cat’s meowing at your door.

Stray Cat

A stray cat likely has a past owner who lives near. So, stray cats might have gotten lost in the area or abandoned by their owners.

Check for identifying tags if you suspect you have a stray cat at your hands. Call a local animal shelter and scan the cat’s microchip if you can’t find any.

If there’s no microchip, you can adopt the kitty and get a new best friend or help find the poor soul a home.

Feral Cat

A feral cat rarely meows at people’s doors, begs for food, or makes eye contact. So, it’s very unlikely that you’re dealing with a wild cat.

These cats get born in the wild and survive on their own. They’re non-domesticated strange cats that lack socialization, so they don’t make good pets.

In fact, they don’t like living indoors with cat owners because they’re wild animals.

Typically, feral cats have ear tips because animal organizations trap, neuter, mark, and return the feral cats into nature.

So, you can easily identify a wild cat by the ear tip, if any.

Now, let’s learn why stray cats meow at people’s doors.

1. The Stray Cat’s Really Hungry

As you can already assume, stray cats lead uncertain and tough lives. One of their daily struggles is finding food. Sometimes, they can’t fend for themselves and ask for help by meowing at people’s doors.

Therefore, if a stray cat’s meowing at your door, they probably haven’t eaten for days or picked up the smell of your delicious cooking.

When a cat’s at your door crying for food, you can give the cat some cat food or human foods such as scrambled eggs, cooked meat (chicken or beef), canned fish, etc.

Avoid giving stray cats milk because cats can’t process milk properly.

Extra tip: Some states have laws against feeding stray or feral cats. So, check the local laws before feeding homeless animals.

2. Baby, it’s Cold Outside!

Stray cats don’t have a problem sleeping outside, except during the winter period. When it’s too cold out, stray kittens can’t find a dry and warm sleeping place.

Most stray cats have long, thick coats. Still, they can’t endure extreme coldness and die as a result. Therefore, if a stray cat’s meowing at your door during winter, maybe they’re freezing and looking for warmth and cuddles.

3. The Stray Cat’s Pregnant or Lost Her Kittens

As I already established, stray cats have a very difficult life, especially stray female cats. If not spayed, stray female cats must deal with the pregnancy cycle.

So, a stray cat may cry at your door because she’s pregnant and looking for a safe spot for delivery or has lost her kittens. Maybe someone took her kittens. Or she’s extremely hungry and can’t feed her babies.

If the stray cat’s pregnant, you can help by giving the homeless kitten food and water or calling a local humane society and asking for advice.

4. They’re in Extreme Pain and Looking for Help

Like homeless people, most stray felines experience life-threatening and unpredictable situations.

Homeless kittens can get run over by speeding cars, fight with other cats, get sick, etc.

Therefore, if a sick cat cries loudly at your door, perhaps they’re in extreme pain and need medical attention. If possible, take the feline to the vet or call a humane society for assistance.

5. The Stray Cat Can Smell Your Cats or Dogs

Sometimes, stray cats meow at people’s doors because they can sense indoor cats and dogs on the property.

If you have a female cat in heat, she will attract every male cat in the neighborhood, resulting in male cats meowing at your door.

6. They’re Just Curious!

Cats love exploring their surroundings, especially outdoor felines, because they have all the freedom in the world.

So, if a kitty’s meowing at your door, they may have seen, heard, or smelled something interesting on your property, such as a toy, food, or indoor cat.

7. Good Fortune’s Knocking at Your Door

Some believe a stray cat’s meowing at your door symbolizes good fortune. So, if you’re superstitious or spiritual and love cats, make the stray kitten your pet.

The cat may bring good luck into your home.

What Do You Do When a Stray Cat is At Your Door?

If you love cats, you probably worry about the many homeless cats roaming the streets. Unfortunately, you can’t save every stray cat you see, but you can help the kitten crying at your door in the following ways.

Observe the Cat’s Behavior

You can encounter stray or free-range cats and feral cats outdoors.

You can’t adopt feral cats because they were born outdoors, so they’re considered wild animals. They have better survival skills than stray cats and don’t like living indoors.

The only way you can help a feral cat in your area is by “trapping” and neutering the cat with the help of TNR programs.

If you see a cat with a clipped ear, you don’t have to set a humane cat trap and neuter the animal because humane societies have already neutered them.

On the other hand, stray or free-roaming cats were likely abandoned by their owners or born outdoors. However, they’re still tame animals. So, they would make good pets.

If you believe the cat meowing at your door isn’t feral, you can adopt the feline.

Meet the Cat’s Immediate Needs

If a cat’s meowing at your door, they’re probably hungry and thirsty, so feed the cat with cat food or human food, such as boiled or scrambled eggs, cooked, unseasoned beef or chicken, oatmeal, canned fish, or other cat-safe human meals.

Approach the cat slowly and offer food and water, but don’t force a physical connection. Otherwise, you risk being bitten or scratched.

Suppose the stray kitten enters your home willingly. In that case, check for identification tags. Also, keep the stray cat away from your pets until you check their health.

Remember that stray kittens can carry diseases, fleas, or ticks because they live on the streets.

If you see identification tags, call the cat’s owner. If there’s no identification tag, you can take the kitten to the vet, where they can scan the animal for a microchip.

The microchip can help the vet or animal shelter workers identify the owner and help the kitten return home.

If there’s no microchip, consider adopting the kitten or helping the vet or animal shelter workers find a forever home for the poor soul.

Obtain a Humane Cat Trap

If you suspect a feral cat’s meowing at your door, you can give the wild cat food before you call the local animal shelter for assistance in capturing the animal.

The animal shelter will provide a humane cat trap so the cat can undergo a trap-neuter-release program.

In the past, cat lovers would trap and surrender stray and feral kitties to animal shelters, thinking they were helping the animals. However, euthanasia was the common outcome for feral cats in overcrowded animal shelters.

Nowadays, we can help feral cats by controlling their population with TNR programs, so don’t hesitate to call local animal societies and ask for assistance.

Once you get a humane cat trap, leave strong-smelling food inside and wait for the wild kitten to approach the crate. Once the cat enters the container, shut the door slowly.

Take the cat to the vet or local animal shelter, where they will examine the cat’s physical condition, check for diseases, and spay or neuter the animal.

Lastly, release the kitten as instructed by your local animal shelter.

Why Stray Cats Come to My House?

Stray cats might visit your house for many different reasons.

For instance, if you’re a pet owner, stray cats might sense your pets and their food and hang around your home, hoping they will get food or hang out with your pets.

However, food and company aren’t the only reasons stray cats might visit your home or meow at your door. If you have wild catnip or other types of herbs and mints, stray cats might stop by and enjoy these treats.

Stray cats also hang out near places they can hide. So, if you have a gardening shed or other structures suitable for hiding, that’s why cats frequent your house.

Cats also usually look for secluded and comfortable places to stay warm in winter. So, if you love animals, you can build a feeding station and shelter homeless cats.

Additionally, some people (including myself) believe cats bring good fortune. Therefore, if you’re superstitious, you should welcome stray kittens inside your home, hoping they attract luck.

What Does it Mean When Stray Cats Keep Coming to Your Door?

Stray cats can visit your home for many logical reasons, including hunger, thirst, shelter, extreme weather, sickness, pregnancy or lost kittens, pain, etc.

However, suppose you’re a superstitious or spiritual person. In that case, you associate stray cats visiting your home with a spiritual message.

So, let’s discuss the spiritual meaning and symbolism of stray cats.

Spiritual Meaning

Stray cats symbolize good fortune, new beginnings, curiosity, creativity, and survival. If a stray kitten shows up at your door, buckle up because good things will happen in your life.

The appearance of a stray kitten in your life also means that you should appreciate what you have and enjoy the simple things in life.

In many cultures, stray cats signify guardian angels. Therefore, if a feline frequents your home, they’re your spiritual guardian.

If you feel alone or lost, a stray kitty can appear in your life to remind you that you’re not alone. The universe is always watching your back, even when it feels like no one is.

Moreover, if you feel you’re missing something and get a stray cat at your door, let the animal into your life.

Cats can sense when someone needs help or companionship, so trust your gut and adopt the furry ball.

Lastly, stray cats represent change, so it’s time you make changes in your life or expect changes soon.

Native American Symbolism

In Native American symbolism, stray cats represent good fortune.

Therefore, if a stray kitty meows at your door, you should prepare for a positive life change. Good things will take place in your life very soon.

Stray cats also symbolize new beginnings. So, if you feel ready for a new relationship or job, now is the time to make the first step toward your new future.

Stray cats also serve as a reminder that the universe always looks after you, and everything always works out in the end, so don’t worry about trivial problems.

Lastly, Native Americans believe that when you care for helpless cats, the universe will take care of you. So, if you’re financially capable of adopting a pet, give the stray cat in your neighborhood a “furever” home.

Celtic Symbolism

In Celtic mythology, stray cats represent the goddess Bridgid. She’s the goddess of fire, fertility, and poetry. She’s also a patroness of felines.

On the other hand, Celtic symbolism describes cats as creative and magical.

So, if a stray cat shows up on your property, you should explore your creative ideas, let your imagination run wild, and take the wheel of your life.

In many cultures, stray cats symbolize good luck, simplicity, and self-care.

Therefore, if a stray kitty appears in your life, it’s time you take free time and remember what matters in life. Additionally, if a black feline crosses your path, don’t worry.

Black cats aren’t a symbol of death, misery, and misfortune. On the contrary, they stand for mystery, creativity, and good fortune.

You will get good news in real life if you dream about a stray cat. If you see a white kitty in your dream, you will soon meet a pure, wise person who will change your perspective on life.

Lastly, stray cats signify curiosity, so if you dream about a stray cat entering your house, you may explore new things and take more risks.

Christianity

In Christianity, cats symbolized evil because people associated cats, especially black cats, with witchcraft.

Unfortunately, cats were often killed in the Middle Ages because people saw all cats as devils in disguise, which sounds crazy. Luckily, cats aren’t longer perceived as symbols of evil but innocence and purity.

In fact, Christians believe that stray cats deliver messages from God. Therefore, when a stray kitty’s meowing at your door, God’s telling you that you’re not alone.

Far Eastern Symbolism

In China, stray cats symbolize good luck, especially black cats. If you see a white cat in your dream, you will experience pure love soon.

In Japan, stray cats signify prosperity, good fortune, and longevity. In fact, the Japanese believe that adopting a cat will attract luck and wealth in your life.

However, some cultures see stray cats, especially black cats, as a sign of misfortune or disease. So, a black cat hanging on your property means you will experience bad luck or get sick.

Each culture sees stray cats and cats, in general, in different ways. Remember that we don’t base our opinions on facts but assumptions and personal opinions, so you can view cats as you wish.

Summary

In short, stray cats meow at people’s doors for different reasons, including hunger, pain, extreme weather, pregnancy, etc.

Some believe stray cats attract good luck and remind us that we’re not alone. They also think stray cats act as our guardian angels.

I think cats have a sixth sense and know whose door to meow at, so if a stray cat meows at your door, you should feel good about yourself and adopt the kitten.

Helping a helpless and homeless animal always feels good and attracts good karma, so if you’re spiritual or superstitious, take the stray cat showing at your doorstep as a sign for improving your life by adopting a new cat.

If you’re not in the position of adopting the cat coming on your property, you can always call a humane society or shelter in your area and ask for help.

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