Hi Everyone,
I am brand new to this site, and actually never thought I'd be joining a site like this since I never owned/cared for cats before. 2 weeks ago my boyfriend and I caught a four year old mom feral and 4 kittens. The mom had been living outside our home since we moved in (about two years now) and she has had a litter each summer, but most of them die getting eaten by other wildlife or ran over (we live on a very busy road). The mom has always been sweet to us and even has let us pet her while she was outside eating. Once she had this litter we were determined to trap them and get her neutered and get her the babies out of harms way and eventually find nice homes for them. Which brings us to my current situation-
All of the babies and the mom are living in a nice cozy room in the basement. I am assuming the babies are anywhere from 8 weeks-10 weeks old since they eat wet and dry food. We originally had the babies all in a very large cage, and the mom was loose in the room. Every single time we come in the babies hiss at us, either one or all in unison. And any time we go to pet them they hiss- but they do let us pet them and will let us pick them up for the most part, but their claws come out. The mommy cat could not be NICER! She is so affectionate, rubs up against us, loves to be pet, and purrs like theres no tomororw. She also is not protective AT ALL of her babies, we can pick them up right in front of her she could care less. So I am not understanding why her babies are so nasty. We both work full time jobs from 7-5 and try and handle them for atleast two hours a night (sacrificing our dinner and quiet time) and we play with them, pet them, hold them- everything. But they still hiss. I don't know if I need to separate them from their mom (which we tried and the mom gets very upset and depressed and wont eat) or if they just need extra attention. My other concern is that the babies were eating on their own while they were in the cage, and now that we let them free to give them playing room they are nursing from the mom again
she seems to not mind, but I don't know if that's healthy.
Sorry this post is so long, but I have 0 experience with cats and really need to know what to do to make them people-friendly or else no one will take these cute little babies. Any advice would be great
I am brand new to this site, and actually never thought I'd be joining a site like this since I never owned/cared for cats before. 2 weeks ago my boyfriend and I caught a four year old mom feral and 4 kittens. The mom had been living outside our home since we moved in (about two years now) and she has had a litter each summer, but most of them die getting eaten by other wildlife or ran over (we live on a very busy road). The mom has always been sweet to us and even has let us pet her while she was outside eating. Once she had this litter we were determined to trap them and get her neutered and get her the babies out of harms way and eventually find nice homes for them. Which brings us to my current situation-
All of the babies and the mom are living in a nice cozy room in the basement. I am assuming the babies are anywhere from 8 weeks-10 weeks old since they eat wet and dry food. We originally had the babies all in a very large cage, and the mom was loose in the room. Every single time we come in the babies hiss at us, either one or all in unison. And any time we go to pet them they hiss- but they do let us pet them and will let us pick them up for the most part, but their claws come out. The mommy cat could not be NICER! She is so affectionate, rubs up against us, loves to be pet, and purrs like theres no tomororw. She also is not protective AT ALL of her babies, we can pick them up right in front of her she could care less. So I am not understanding why her babies are so nasty. We both work full time jobs from 7-5 and try and handle them for atleast two hours a night (sacrificing our dinner and quiet time) and we play with them, pet them, hold them- everything. But they still hiss. I don't know if I need to separate them from their mom (which we tried and the mom gets very upset and depressed and wont eat) or if they just need extra attention. My other concern is that the babies were eating on their own while they were in the cage, and now that we let them free to give them playing room they are nursing from the mom again
she seems to not mind, but I don't know if that's healthy. Sorry this post is so long, but I have 0 experience with cats and really need to know what to do to make them people-friendly or else no one will take these cute little babies. Any advice would be great
. Mom cat is not a feral cat by any stretch. She must be an abandoned/stray. I am so happy to hear that you will get her spayed. She sounds to me like she would make a wonderful, loving pet kitty for someone. I hope you can find her a home. IF the kittens are 8 to 10 weeks old, they don't need to be nursing anymore, but mom cat sounds really sweet and if she lets them, then so be it until you take her away to get spayed. See if you can get the ball rolling to get her spayed in about one week. That way she will have some time to settle in and get to know you and know that her babies will be just fine. After her surgery, I would keep her separated from her kittens. For the moment, it is a good thing for the kittens to see her being so friendly with you, it will encourage them to trust you. KEEP holding those kittens regardless of the hissing/spitting or batting at you. Don't give up. You can even swaddle each one in a towel or baby blanket so that only their head is sticking out :lol3: The swaddling will make them feel safe and secure and they most likely will start to purr. That would be a great sign. Get some kitty toys - wand toys - but do not leave those toys with the strings in their room. OK!!! They will eat the string. Only bring in the wand toys when you go to visit with them. Start to offer them some wet kitten food - even Fancy Feast kitten food would be good. There are wonderful grain free options too is you can afford them. But if not, any wet kitten food will be good to start to gain their trust. They will look forward to the yummy wet meals. Are you going to contact a TNR organization in your area to help get them vet checked? Or your local humane society? If you can find a place to help you, they might assist you with costs if you foster them and get them all socialized and ready for adoption. I am lucky in that I have a few options like that near me and I always can count on their help. I hope you can find a rescue to help you that way. :cross: 
