New Kitten - Feral - need advice

sadie11313

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We just adopted Sadie on 1/13/13, 6 week old kitten who was found with her mom outside, feral, which was found the first week of January. She is very scared. I read articles on what to do, put in her a room with food, litter toys and a blanket with our scent on it. It took her a couple of days to even get out of the bed but she has been playing with me the past few days, still skittish though. She doesn't seem to want to venture away in the house, just stays in her room. She knows how to use the litter box and eats fine. I know it's only been a week and not to get my hopes up, but my boyfriend seems to have little patience for her and it upsets me. I sense he wants a kitten that will play and run around and I have never owned a feral kitten before. I would never give her away though, she is my baby. Any advice on the kitten and also on what can help my boyfriend through this? She has warmed up to me a lot because I play with her when I get home and sit with her until my boyfriend gets home from work at 11:30pm. She is a crazy kitten with me, jumping and pouncing, but all in the comfort of her safe zone, which is a barrier of blankets so she feels secure. She has met a few people and has let them pet her but when she can, she jumps and runs into her bed.
 

StefanZ

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At 6 weeks she is a little kitten, more than a feral cat.

So it is double, where her young age is really the predominant.  GOOD you are her Mom, and she is your baby.  She needs it.  She needs also the security of her safe room.   Like you would do with home raised kittens too...  Letting them out to explore rest of the flat perhaps first when they are 7-8 weeks, no?

Give her some stuffed animal as friend...   She does lacks both mom and siblings...

So work on, patience, love, time.  She should be a very nice home cat with time - soon - being taken so young.

(btw, we do usually recommend for kittens to stay with mom and siblings till they are at least 10 weeks, preferably 12. Absolute minimum 8 if someone wants to get rid of them quickest possible. But there are some few exceptions. One of them is, if they are homeless / ferales, and there is a good adoption family waiting for them.    As the easy fostering at such young age is an advantage.  And of course, if the mom is still outside, it is dangerous out there!)

One tip may be, does she lets you carry her?  Have her at your heart, go and sing softly... Croone different friendly noises, talk softly.  Your boyfriend too...

A tip sometimes used for little older semiferal kittens, is to wrap them up in a nice towel, and carry arount, singing etc...  Wrapped up they got submissive and accept what is happening.

I presume you can do it with her too.

And your boyfriend?  If he doesnt have patience with a little kitten, what says he will have patience with little children, when they begin to come?

But he is perhaps tired from work?  You say he comes home at 11.30 pm...

If he wants to come nearer, ie he wants the kitten will se him as Dad, it can not be helped, he must play the role actively. Dogs are obedient and love their master, but with cats you must EARN their love and trust.

He can give her food... Clean her litter now and then... Give her water (change water).  Sit down to her level - or even lie down, and talk friendly and soft...  Play with  Da Bird or similiar...
 She has met a few people and has let them pet her but when she can, she jumps and runs into her bed.
Wait, are you hinting peopel take her "by force" and carry her on against her will?  Dangerous!  This easyly destroys the good impression and trust of humans...

It may be good for socializing others try to pet her, but be careful!   Let her down immediately they notice she wants down... Immediately.

Welcome to our Forums!

Good luck!
 

ritz

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Agree with Stefan.

Six weeks is really young to be taken from the mother in an ideal world; on the other hand, Sadie hasn't had time or experience to distrust humans so she is a scared kitty more so than a scared feral.

Play music when you're not in the room.  Might want to put down a heating pad set on low, kind of like a mother's warm body.

And for the boyfriend--if you want a kitty that plays and runs around, then sit down with the kitty and play with it.  Kittens have crazy schedules; their most active time is late at night--just when your boyfriend gets home from work.  Instead of plopping down in front of the tv or computer or [fill in the blank], have him plop beside kitty and play with her.  A great stress reducer; he'll be amazed at the gymnastics and funny antics Sadie can do, trying to get that DaMouse or DaBird.  And he can give kitty a treat throughout play time, another way Sadie will soon become his BFF.  (In fact, maybe only your boyfriend should give him treats).

Finally if the cat goes to the person (rather than the person going to the cat), the time line for trust will be shortened appreciatively.  And, always let the cat see a way out, so he doesn't feel threatened.
 
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