Feral Kitten

Where I work there are a few cats out in the back. Some of the workers feed them and people come to trap them and get them fixed. There was a feral kitten I believe she is 2 months old. My heart melted for her. For a couple of weeks we tried to catch her. Finally success. I took her to the vet and the vet said she is a month old because she weighed 1lb. Ive had her almost a week now. I keep her in a room to herself and go and visit for a few minutes at a time. The very first day I was able to pick her up and pet her. The next day she wouldnt let me, she hid. after 5 days she is finally out and about in the room. I dont approach her to pick her up or try to pet her. I leave her treats when its not feeding time and I talk to her. Im just wondering if Im doing the right thing, is there anything else I should be doing?

You need to stay in long enough that she gets used to your presence.  Talk to her, but don't stare at her.
 

Welcome to TCS!!!! A big thank you for rescuing this little kitten. The first day, the kitten was probably in shock. :lol3: So common for them to have a set back like that. Believe me, this little kitten will be putty in your hands very soon and will become very loving quickly. Especially since she already let you pet her. Here is a great article filled with wonderful advice and suggestions to help you along in this process. http://www.catnipchronicles.com/may2012/laurie.htm If you have any other questions, please ASK Good luck with this baby! Does she have a name??

Thank you everyone... Her name is Sally. Today I bought some tuna in water and fed her a couple of pieces. She really loved it... So Im going to try giving her a little bit everyday and see how that works...I guess Im just inpatient.. Feel like Im failing. What keeps me going is, she looks much healthier.. So when it hits the 3 or 4 week mark and nothing really happens, should I start to worry?
 

I have a feeling if she is only 1 month old that it won't take too long for you to tame her. It does take patience though. It also depends on her personality. I rescued a litter of 4 feral kittens at the age of 3 months old, 1 of them became tame almost instantly, 2 of them allow me to pick them but don't seem to really enjoy it, and the last one I found is still skittish after 2 months with me (only allows me to pet her when she is really tired). It's not that you're failing it's just the nature of a feral cat. I bet you'll have good luck though!

Thank you... I just wish these little guys will realize the good life there going to have
 

I would rap her in a towel like a burrito and carry her around your house talking very sweet to her. This method can make even the most ferrell cats turn tame.

I'm not saying what you're doing is wrong, but if you want to speed up the process I'd give it a go.

bigperm20 said:

I would rap her in a towel like a burrito and carry her around your house talking very sweet to her. This method can make even the most ferrell cats turn tame.
I'm not saying what you're doing is wrong, but if you want to speed up the process I'd give it a go.

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Yes, a good tip working especially nicely with kittens. for example young kittens but a trifle too old to be these almost automatic socialized... Say 8-10 weeks.

Although I wouldnt carry her around the house as yet, as her comfort room is her own room, rest of the house feels surely unsafe - and unknown.   Later on perhaps, but not the first you do.

Good luck!

thank you.. I thought of that too.. I think of when my daughter was a baby, what would relax her.. She still growls and hisses. That is my concern, I know she is small but I know her little teeth and nails could do some damage
 

We brought two ferals into our home just over a year ago. They were only 4-5 weeks. Especially since they had one another, they had no interest in socializing.  Some people advocated separating them, but with one, LuLu, so tiny we thought it would be cruel. We spent a lot of time lying and talking on the bathroom floor on pillow with both the kits there. We also used the video series that I am posting here.  Here are the links:

Video 1 - 



 Video 2

 

Video 3 



Using this video and having lots of patience worked really well for us. It was a pretty stress free experience for all.  

Good luck!!! Your kitty is so lucky to have you!

Thank you for the videos.. The problem I have is the hissing if i get to close or growling. But after watching the video, I can see some progress is happening being she will eat from my hand.
 

Molina Mary said:

 The problem I have is the hissing if i get to close or growling.

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Ah, I guess you havent tried the wrap up as yet?

They get submissive when wrapped up.

Works nicely also with home cats who hate to have their nails clipped.  

Another trick you can use is to take her by the scruff (behind the neck), like her mama would do.

It is no punishment, just a trick to handle them.

Ie take by the scruff and wrap in.  If you cant manage to just wrap in at once.

Do it two together if necessary.

I would agree with Stefan and absolutely start to "wrap" the kitten right away. I did this with feral kittens I brought in over a year ago. You are able to pet gently on the head and under the chin. Only do this for about ten minutes at a time and a few times a day. As soon as you get some purring, you are on your way. Don't be hard on yourself as socializing any feral kitten or cat takes much patience and understanding from their point of view. Things will improve!!! :cross:

Thank you very much for your advice... My fear is getting attacked by a little kitten.. She hisses and growls. I know that means stay away when she does that. I felt like I had a tiny break through ( I hope I did) today when I got home from work I went to check on her. usually she runs right away, but I had a good 6 seconds where she just looked at me. She ran, not as fast as usual. Also I read somewhere to put potting soil in with the cat litter, and it worked!.. I appreciate everyones response and support... Gives me hope and patience  

Molina Mary said:

 My fear is getting attacked by a little kitten..

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Ah, so do have gloves and thick clothes on you when you are going in for the scruff take and or the wrapping up.    Have also glasses / protective googles on if you want to be 110% safe.  

Her hissing is probably more defensive warning than actual real threat.   But if you are afraid, of course, do take your precautions, esp as it is easy when you know how to.

When wrapped up, you take off the gloves, so she feels your hands.

Feralv wrote 10 minute sessions. May be the safest.

Although I know others used longer sessions, even one hour.  If she feels comfortable, is comfortable.  wrapped up and up your chest.

If your kitty would be an older one, your access would be OK. But this young kitty is best to take and foster as soon as conventient possibly. Every week goes more difficult...

I mean, you will surely manage sooner or later, but it is better to manage sooner. As you can use the factum she is still quite young, barely outside the magical 7-8 weeks of easy, automatic socialization..

After a couple of wrapping sessions you will see it comes strides forward.

Good luck!

Our kittens were fearful when we wrapped them. We stopped. People also told us to separate them. We did not. We followed the videos I uploaded, never pushing, always using chicken and gravy baby food as reward. Larry and LuLu are 13 months old. They sleep with us, I clip their nails, and they are very interactive.  

StefanZ said:

I mean, you will surely manage sooner or later, but it is better to manage sooner. As you can use the factum she is still quite young, barely outside the magical 7-8 weeks of easy, automatic socialization..

After a couple of wrapping sessions you will see it comes strides forward.

Good luck!

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Absolutely, the sooner you make these advances with the kitten the better. If you are fearful, the kitten will know this and that will not help the situation. :slant: You have to try to be strong and gentle all at the same time. Quite an accomplishment for sure :lol3: I would also wear gloves at this point if you really think she will scratch and bite. I tell you, though, sometimes they put up such a hissy fit, spitting too, and when you scruff them, they suddenly go limp and quiet. :nod: But use the gloves at first since that will give you more confidence

LucysKits said:

Our kittens were fearful when we wrapped them. We stopped.

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Of course, if a method doesnt work for you, but you do have some other alternative which works for you, do use that alternative which works for you.   

So it is always, both with cats and humans.