Stray cats live in harsh conditions, without shelter or regular care. Yet, despite the cold, hunger, and dangers, many manage to survive for several years on the streets. Their secret? An incredible capacity for adaptation, inherited from thousands of years of evolution.
1. A born hunter
Even though they sometimes depend on food offered by locals, stray cats retain a hunting instinct.
- An adult cat can capture up to 10 small prey items per day (mice, birds, insects) to meet its needs.
- Their hearing is 5 times more developed than that of a human, which allows them to detect the slightest sound of prey.
- Their night vision is exceptional: they see about 6 times better than us in the dark .
2. Their fur: a natural coat
A cat's fur thickens as winter approaches.
- On average, a cat develops a coat of fur 30% denser in winter than in summer.
- The undercoat acts as insulation, limiting the loss of body heat.
- Despite this, at temperatures below -5°C , a stray cat can suffer from hypothermia if it does not have a dry and insulated shelter.
3. The art of finding refuge
Stray cats know how to find unexpected hiding places: cellars, roofs, piles of wood, still-warm car engines.
But these solutions are often dangerous. Every year, thousands of cats die trapped in unsuitable places or crushed under cars. That's why secure shelters can truly save lives.
4. A high reproductive capacity
Nature has endowed cats with rapid reproduction to compensate for their high mortality rate.
- A female cat can have her first litter as early as 6 months old .
- She can give birth up to 3 times a year , with 3 to 6 kittens each time.
- But many kittens do not reach adulthood: only 1 in 2 survives its first year on the street.
5. Limitations nonetheless
Despite these adaptation mechanisms, living conditions remain extremely harsh:
- Life expectancy of a stray cat: 2 to 4 years , compared to 12 to 15 years for a domestic cat.
- High exposure to diseases (coryza, FIV, typhus).
- Increased risk of accidents and abuse.
The importance of taking action
Stray cats possess amazing abilities, but these are not always enough to withstand the harsh winter and the dangers posed by humans. Providing them with shelter, food, and a little attention remains essential to giving them a real chance of survival.
With Miawi, we want to complement their natural strengths with appropriate protection, by providing them with shelters designed specifically for them.
