Fostering 4 month old Semi-Feral - need advice/reassurance!

I recently (2 weeks ago) decided to foster a kitten, who was described to me at the shelter as semi-feral. I knew it would take some work, and definitely some patience, and honestly thats why I chose this little guy. My best guess is that he's around 4 months of age by comparison, but I havent been able to get him to the vet yet (he did have his initial rounds of shots at the shelter).

Naturally he hid the first few days, crying behind a cabinet (I thought he was stuck and was worried sick) but eventually he made his appearance. Within the past few days I've been able to play with him using a fishing rod toy, I haven't gotten to pet him, havent even tried - he's still extremely skittish. I've been patient, I go about my usual business, dont make eye contact, move slowly, talk softly (can you tell I've been scouring the internet??) and he's progressed to the point where he doesnt sleep in hiding (usually out on the rug or on the laundry pile). but what's got me curious is his crying. He yowls, cries, meows, chirps (the strangest sounds I've ever heard) and will just sit at a safe distance (usually in the adjacent room) staring at me and doing this. It's almost like he's begging for attention, but wont let me give it to him - which is so frustrating and heart breaking. As soon as I get up, or acknowledge him, he bolts. Then he comes back 10 minutes later and does it again.

He's also recently (about 5 days ago) developed a sneeze, wheeze, and his throat sounds hoarse. I'm afraid he's caught a cold, but I also know trying to trap him at this point to get him to the vet would traumatize him. He is eating/drinking regularly and is using the litterbox with no issues, and he has shown no signs of any discharge from nose or eyes. He actually sounds alot better today so my hopes is that it's clearing up on its own.

I'm just looking for reassurance that I'm doing the right thing, and that I've made progress. I know I can't put any kind of expectation on our relationship, but I'm curious to know if this is a good place to be 2 weeks in. I'm more than appretiative of any advice, experience, comments you can give me! Especially when it comes to the crying, I'm just stumped. He's a really sweet guy, he's never hissed at me or shown any signs of aggression so I know I atleast have that going for us, I'm just wondering if I'm doing too much or not enough.

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to The Cat Site.

It sounds like you're doing everything right.  Patience is the key. 

Do you have Feliway?  Play soft music when you're not around?  Leave something that smells like you by/under his food bowl?

Regarding the crying, not real sure, except that he has gone from being in a place that he knows to a place he is still getting use to.  It could also be as simple as he is a vocal cat; some cats talk a lot, some don't.

I assume he's been neutered.

I think your are doing OK!  He must have began as closer to feral than semi-feral, but still: you are going forward in a good tempo, have no fear nor doubt about this!

His lotsa sounds.  It reminds me when my oldest resident, being a young stud, tried to court his first wife.  I had never known there could be so many different sounds in this little body!

So that is my guess he does too. He dont dare to let you come near, but he hopes he will make you more civilized, more friendly minded to him, by courting you.

This is my theory for this moment!

You can use a Feliway diffuser or spray, if you wish. Not necessary but may be handy.

There are also different flower essences to try out. the firm  Jackson Galaxy carries many of them.

Lets hope his cold proceeds to tone down and he is healthy again.

Proceed to write, proceed to tell and ask!

Good luck!

Welcome to our Forums!

Hi, we adopted a feral from our garden. You're doing very well! It took me over a month to be able to touch our kitten. And he also would complain and make the noises you describe! I also think it was a cry for attention. I used to indulge him when he did by playing with a ball of string, which would keep him happy for a while. But he did this crying for at least five months and finally grew out of it. 

Thank you for the welcome! and for the feedback! We've made a lot of progress in the past couple days. Two mornings ago I caught him jumping in bed with me when he thought I was sleeping. Of course when he found I was awake he ran to the doorway and started crying. I had slept in that day and so I'm wondering if he wasnt confused by my routine and was looking for food. Since he had already come to me for food I thought hm I'm going to see if I can get him to come closer. I was able to feed him a little food off a spoon, and he sniffed my hand for the first time.

He is still very vocal, for reasons unknown - I'm beginning to think its just his personality, which I love. I just want to make sure he's not vocal due to stress or illness. He's still sneezing, but I'll only hear him a couple times a day - nothing compared to what it was. I'm still going to get him to the vet as soon as I can though.

In response to Ritz, I had left a blanket of mine near his hiding space entrance so that he would get his own scent on it and then I would place it in another room so that when he had the courage to explore, he'd find his scent elsewhere. And also with my clothes, towels, etc.

I don't have the diffuser, we'll see how the next week goes. I do think his smell might be a little off - could be do to congestion. He's not doing any mouth breathing, but he only seems to really respond to food if I heat up a little wet even if theres a full dish of dry. He'll still eat the dry as a last resort - but I don't want to get into spoiling him with wet if I can avoid it....

I do have another subject I need advice on - scratching. He claws at the carpet on the stairs while stretching. Granted its not doing any damage right now because he's too small, but last night I heard him on the back of the couch too. I'd like to break that habit before any damage is done. I bought him a scratch pad, but he's shown zero interest on it, I've even left treats/toys on top of it in hopes that he'd catch his claw just once! But nothing. Other tips I've read on the subject involve touching the cat, which unfortunately isnt a stage I'm at yet. Any ideas?

I'm so anxious to pet him! Last night he jumped up on the coffee table, whined, rubbed his face on my laptop and then sat and watched tv with me - he's so intrigued by the big screen, I think I may leave the tv on today while I'm out so he can get used to it while I'm not around.

I'll post pictures soon!

bica said:

Hi, we adopted a feral from our garden. You're doing very well! It took me over a month to be able to touch our kitten. And he also would complain and make the noises you describe! I also think it was a cry for attention. I used to indulge him when he did by playing with a ball of string, which would keep him happy for a while. But he did this crying for at least five months and finally grew out of it. 

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Thank you for your reassurance Bica! I think it's a cry for attention too, I've found that he'll stop if I just even lay on the ground close to him for awhile - even if we're not playing. How is your kitty now? I know there's a good chance ferals never become lap cats, but I'm hoping for one! At this rate I'll be very pleased if I'm able to touch him in a week.

Ferals can become lap cats

we(my kids and I ) have been working on a litter of ferals in my back yard all summer. Out of  the 5 born in the neighbor's woodpile, Midnight(little black beauty) is ready to come in. She sits on our lap, and cuddles up close. But this progress came quite suddenly, she went from being afraid to come close, to over the last 5 days looking for us in the mornings, and cuddling in our arms with a purr that defys her size. 

So what I'm trying to say is, stick to it your kitten once it comes out of it's shell, could very well be a lap cat too.

It took about 2 months to get her with a fully wild kitten, and we used much the same method you are.

I've got myself a lap cat without a doubt! Major progress in the past 48 hours. Not only was I able to pet her, but she went crazy with wanting and giving affection. I think we're now trying to make up for lost time over the past 2 weeks. Two days ago you wouldnt have even known I had a cat, and now I can't eat breakfast without her around my neck.

Today I took her to the vet - which I knew I was risking taking a huge step backwards, I was afraid I'd traumatize her all over again after just so recently gaining her trust. But she was a lovebug the whole time! Cooperated through all the pokes and prods and still came back and sat on my lap and purred while we were waiting for all the results. Negative for FELV/FIV, but unfortunatley positive for roundworm and coccidia - which I'm told isnt a huge deal, but eh, I still feel bad for the little thing. They also gave her some antibiotics for the URI which I was expecting. Overall I was so proud of her, especially since she really had only "bonded" with me and her surroundings here at home, I didn't know what to expect at the vets office.

I also found out she's a girl, approx 3 months old. So now its time to think of a name!

Her crying has lessened as well, as long as I don't leave her sight, she stays pretty quiet.

Thank you all for your comments and advice! Back to the vet in 3 weeks - so ready to get these nasty worms out of her!