Feral kitten What to do ??????? Feedback Needed !!!

Hi, I have been caring for feral cats for a number of years now and I have a dilemma. One of my feral moms left here kitten here in the late this summer. The kitten still lives outside in her shelter but has become extremely friendly over the course of taking care of it. The minute I come home the cat runs to me and wants to be played with purring like crazy, follows me like a dog, and comes when I call it. I was letting it come in the house from time to time to warm up and to give it some attention since it has no 1. Yes before you say stray domesticated cat, it is not. I know both the mom and dad both feral and some what tame at feeding time over the years. The come back time to time also and the kitten gets happy to see them Vs the other feral cats that don’t get along so well. Now hers my dilemma I have a dog that tolerates the cat some what, I keep them separated since the cat has not been to a vet. Yes I know you will all say bring to vet and spay and neuter, but I like having the ferals around and we live in the country and the cat population never gets that big, some stay some go. They always have food, water and shelter. I think ferals should be free to roam in the wild as long as it does not disturb anyone. Born wild stay wild.Now back to the problem, should I keep this one as an inside cat or let him stay feral? Since she has been around more ferals now I do not let her in the house any more, afraid of diseases from other cats might give her and transfer to me or my family. I have had many domesticated cats my life, but none this friendly. She contently tries to run in the house and does not want to go back out when it sneaks in; to the point she waits at the door. I really don’t want a litter box in the house again.  Does anyone have any feedback?

Thanks.

CT Feral

Thank you for taking care of the feral cats.

I do not know how the friendly cat would adjust to being inside; sometimes they act friendly outside but get really scared and hostile when brought inside. The hostility goes away after a while, sometimes.   If you have a garage or shed, you could try keeping him in there and seeing how he reacts.  (By the way:  does the cat have a name and do you know if it male or female?)  As you know, the cat should be tested for any diseases before being brought in to the house.

Another reason the cat may seem so friendly is because she is in heat.  Cats can fast-cycle in and out of heat (is the cat of normal weight?  Constantly going in/out of heat can cause markedly weight loss.)  If she/he is not spayed/neutered, the cat will constantly be seeking a way outside to mate.

There are more reasons why cats should be s/n than controlling the population; they include improved health of the cat (female diseases, delivering kittens can kill the mother, less fighting/injury/FIV/FeLV) and where applicable, not so disturbing to the neighbors (yowling, horrible screams when the female is being impregnated by the male).

The cat is a female and i guess around 5 to 6 months old, born late this summer. I think 2 young to be in heat? let me know if incorrect. The cat is as friendly inside as out,  to the point she waits at the door to come in. The cat has no fear inside the house comes when you call it and behaves and i think she prefers the inside, when she was allowed in. likes its belly rubbed and likes to lick you. I am really on the fence with this one.


 

Actually a kitten can come into heat as early as four months, so she is plenty old enough to be in heat AND to get pregnant.  And at her young age, that is really dangerous medically. 

She sounds like a doll and she likes you, she likes you  and she trusts you   So I would definitely consider making her an indoor cat.  But she really needs to be spayed first; otherwise she'll try to escape and/or end up pregnant.  And unspayed females run a greater risk of pyometria, ovarian cancers, and breast cancers.

She should also be tested for diseases and probably dewormed.

Good luck and keep us posted.

PS:  what is her name and pictures :  We love pictures

I agree 100% with Ritz - she could easily be in heat or pregnant already. It is the season when toms are specially looking for females so I would get her inside asap.

Ritz and jennyranson gave some excellent advice about your situation.

are all of the other cats intact?

Spay her and bring her inside

I forgot to mention not to worry about catching any cat diseases from her. You are safe. You can get her checked at the vet and get any necessary shots to protect your other pets.

I hope she's your new indoor kitty soon.

Posted new pics
 

Found out she is a he and is off to be neutered today. Big decision on outside cat or inside cat now. At lease he will get all needed shots 2day.


 

Normally, a caretaker planning on whom in the feral colony to perhaps try and foster, and whom to just TNR, wouldnt not think twice and tried to foster this one, as you describe himher. A perfect candidate!

It cant be better, if a real ferale born.

So do try if it is feasible to you and OK with your plans and life.

If it doesnt go well, you can always let himher be your outside kitty. No harm done.

Good luck!

Glad to hear he is neutered and has shots.

He might of decided being alone as he is, that moving in with you might make his life better. 

If he gets to the point where he jumps on your lap.. hthen you got a cat for both your lives.

I have an outdoor feral kitten now, male, getting neutered, who loves his brushing.  i can get close enough to all my

outdoor kitties to gently brush them on backs and near tails.

Then i stop, and they come back for more.

Thats how i am able to turn them.

keep us posted

outtiescathaven said:

 i can get close enough to all my
outdoor kitties to gently brush them on backs and near tails.

Then i stop, and they come back for more.

Thats how i am able to turn them.

Click to expand...

Tx for this excellent tip for socializing semiferales!  Quite basic but still working!

Welcome to our Forums, Outtiescathaven!

Good luck in your quest and your personal life!

ps. This figurine on your little photo is very nice, clearly better artistic quality than most other cat figurines out there!

FYI Update..................

The cat hes been inside since being neutered. The cat is extremely intelligent. He was litter box trained as soon as i showed it to him and never went in the house so far. He has learned to fetch his toy like a dog and bring them back to you. He also enjoys sleeping on the bed . He has doubled in size, not fat just big.The vet thinks hes a Maine coon mix. Still working on getting the dog to like him. I will keep u posted on progress.


 

That is great that he is adjusting so well.

that is awesome! please keep updating the progress.


are you in Connecticut? or is the username unrelated to the abbreviation?

Hi, yes i am in Connecticut.


 

nice to have another "nutmeger" around!

if you ever need assistance with trapping/tnr let me know. depending what part of the state you are in i may be able to offer assistance - i have worked with a few of the tnr groups and my local animal control. my local aco is very active in tnr and she knows lots of the other acos in the area as well as many more tnr groups, so some support/assistance may be available.

once again, thank you for helping out the cats - advocates are needed now more than ever.

Start at the beginning by having a vet determine if she has any health issues.  If she does not, then why not let her into the house. 
She will want out after awhile or maybe not.  Whatever it is, begin with a visit to the vet.  Somehow I get the feeling that if she had good health everything else would fall into place and you would have a cler mind as to what to do.  Stay Well, "Teddy J"  Please read some of my posts, I am new to this and I can't get Squeaky's picture up.  But I too am caring for 2 feral cats  -  read on and drop me a note. 

New question !!

Yes the cat has been to a vet, everything is OK. The cat went from being afraid of the dog to now wanting to attack and chase the dog the dog (pit bull mix). Maybe just kitten behavior?  Cat is about 7 to 8 months old. Does any one have any suggestions about the new behavior?

Thanks.