Feral kitten

I found a kitten in my bushes and brought him in. Pretty sure he is feral and is 4-8? weeks old. I have since read online that it can be difficult or impossible to tame a feral cat past 8 weeks old.

What does this mean? What will it be like if he stays feral?

He's still plenty young - you should not have trouble taming him. Keep him in a quiet room with a litter box, wet food and water. You may have to use "kitten attract" litter to help him learn where he needs to go. Handle him as much as you can. He may be shy at first, but bribing him with food usually works wonders.

You will need to get him to a vet to assess his health and start shots. The vet can also tell you how old he is. Thank you for helping him!

BTW "feral" just means a cat has not had contact with humans and are therefore afraid of them. He won't remain feral once he begins to understand you mean him no harm.

Ah ok. Was just worried. I thought it meant he will never let a human touch him. He has fleas and I can see them on him so I will bring him to the vet tomorrow.

I've had him three day. He has lived under the dresser and only comes out for food. But on the second day he started. to let me pet him by reaching in there.

ander35 said:

I've had him three day. He has lived under the dresser and only comes out for food. But on the second day he started. to let me pet him by reaching in there.

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Better you let him come out to you.  Say, YOU are coming in with the food, are there in the room talking sweeatly in low voice, and take away the food when you go...  After a while you pet him a little while he eats...

I mean here, better to let him be in his own safe place.

You can also make him a legal safe place, say a cat igloo, or sideturned cardboard box with something nice to lie on.  You CAN reach him there if need be, but normally, you leave him there alone.

When he begins to warm up little, there is a fantastic tric for kittens, recommended by Catwoman707:

You wrap him up in a soft towel, or a little thin blanket, all four legs, up to the neck. And carry him at your chest, where he feels your warmth and feels your heart beating. You talking sweetly and friendly, and singing softly... half an hour, an hour....  Several such sessions. Done.

A little like as a breaking in a horse, but here in the very friendly and soft version.

"I have since read online that it can be difficult or impossible to tame a feral cat past 8 weeks old."

It may be more difficult than with younger kittens, true,  but "impossible" is a myth. Why they do say so, even from The Animal Friends Society?  They dont want false friends.  It takes effort, patience and love.   And they dont want half hearted tryies. "giving him a chance"  without really trying.

Or somebody who read too many books about this splendid person who just looks understanding on a wild horse or ferale cat, and voilá! the wild horse is immediately friendly and obedient.

No, sir.  It can be done, sometimes surprisingly easy, even with fully adult semi-ferales, but it takes time, effort and love.... It does.

Yours is still about 8 weeks, so it should still go fairly easy.

Good luck!

It is true what Stefan says above - "impossible IS a myth" when it comes to socialization. Each kitten/cat is an individual and they don't read the rule books (although I wish they could. ) Each one will come around differently than the next. Most feral kittens regardless of the age, IMO, WILL socialize. BUT, some take much longer than others - weeks or even months. The following article will help you with ideas and suggestions. Don't give up on this little one and surely you will be rewarded for your efforts.

http://www.catnipchronicles.com/may2012/laurie.htm

We trapped a "feral" 2 years ago next month and she was 2+ years old and she was terrified of my wife and I. When we fed her outside I could not get close to her as she would take off. We got her fixed and micro chipped and she traveled across country with us as we moved and she is now a domesticated puss even though she does not want us to touch her. If we do she just moves a few feet with her tail in the air meowing at us. Sox as we call her is very content and happy. She has 4 other furry one's to play with and they all get along well.  If you are patient and give a lot of love and spend a lot of time talking to her she will come around. A vet tech where we take our cats took in a feral when it was a kitten and is now about 3 years old and it will only let her touch the cat on the cats terms. She will like rub against her legs but she just can't reach down and touch it. It all depends on the individual feline.