Feral addition update!

So I had caught a feral and had her checked up and had some questions that ya'll helped me with, so I figured I'd give an update.

I've moved Pepper into our guest bedroom, which she has by herself.  She's still in hiding mode right now, but she now meows/howls when something she wants done needs to get done (clean my litter! bring me food!).  Tonight was the first time I was able to go into her room and feed her without her hiding her face from me.  She allows me to place treats in front of her without backing away or getting defensive, but still won't eat with me in the room.  She's been hanging out in the window sill; we saw her watching us when we went to the grocery store.

So far I'm just trying to be patient and slowly test her trust level with me in non-threatening ways.  Any more tips and tricks ya'll might have are of course appreciated!

It sounds like the socialization is going well. Other things you can try are to play soft classical music, especially harp music. You can also just spend some time with her just reading aloud so she gets used to your voice. When she seems ready, you can try some interactive toys like Da Bird or Cat Dancer.

Yea, I always try to talk to her when I'm in there.  I havent tried the music yet, but thats because I have no easy way to get it into that room

Gerber stage one baby food in chicken or turkey works so well in socializing cats.  They just love it.  You can give them a little taste from a small dish or see if he will lick it off a spoon.  You can then place some on your fingers to see if he will lick it off. 

Interactive toys are great too.  Da bird, feather wand toys, cat dancer and string to name a few are great choices.

I also second the music.  I downloaded some harp music that is just for cats off Amazon and play it from my ipod dock.  When I brought my stray inside, I played the music 24/7 for him.  It really helps to calm him down.

Sounds like you are making really good progress.  It just takes lots of time and patience.

Yea, I've tried playing with her with a feather toy, but she just sits there and watches it.  Doesn't seem like shes ready for that part yet.

I found a product that works with cats who aren't sure what to do with feather toys. It is a wand with a length of fleece on it. The fleece is cut into about an inch wide by three feet long. When you wriggle it, cats go nuts and it doesn't seem to frighten/confuse them as much.

It's called the Cat Dancer and I got mine on Amazon

Sounds a lot like a toy I already have from Petsmart.  I'll try that one with her.

Ondine said:

I found a product that works with cats who aren't sure what to do with feather toys. It is a wand with a length of fleece on it. The fleece is cut into about an inch wide by three feet long. When you wriggle it, cats go nuts and it doesn't seem to frighten/confuse them as much.

It's called the Cat Dancer and I got mine on Amazon

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I have the Cat Dancer and my kitties just love it.  For the stray I brought inside, he loves a thick piece of string.  I took it off an old hoodie and tied the ends so they wouldn't fray.  I don't leave it in the room unattended, but it is just his favorite.

The best is the baby food.  Cats and kittens go crazy for it.  My 3 year old feral will do anything for the Gerber Stage 1 Turkey. 

So I got her a CD player and a playlist off of iTunes (this cat has already got it made) playing in her room.  I also went and got some Gerber Chicken and Chicken Gravy and shes starting to eat it off my spoon.

I know this is probably normal, but are ferals typically noisy?  She howls all the time

Some are, some aren't. She's stressed and wants everyone to know it. She will calm down once she realizes how good she has it!

TheJawa said:

 
So I got her a CD player and a playlist off of iTunes (this cat has already got it made) playing in her room.  I also went and got some Gerber Chicken and Chicken Gravy and shes starting to eat it off my spoon.

I know this is probably normal, but are ferals typically noisy?  She howls all the time

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To help my cats calm down, I have had really good luck with Composure.  It is sold in small treat as well as liquid.  I used the treats on Marvin when I first brought him into the house.  He was crying and howling for hours off and on during the night.  I would give him 3 composure treats before bed and it really worked well.  Right now I am using the Composure liquid.  It appears to get into their system quicker.  I can just mix it into the wet food.  The treats are much cheaper though.  They sell them on Amazon under Feline composure.  You can also find them at most pet stores.  My vet also sells them.

I feel your pain! We just finishing socializing 9and adopting out!!!!) three beautiful feral kittens (they came in at 7ish weeks - so there were on the verge of "aw they'll tame easily!). My tricks I picked up you've probably see everywhere. And I've got to rush - but can check back in if you have questions ---but my main tips were....

1. Food food food....never underestimate the power of Kitty Crack "Gerbers (no garlic!!!) stage 1 chicken or ham purees. A little on a spoon and their world focuses only on you and the spoon. Perfect tie to pet, tickle under then chin, etc. As they got more used to it, I'd load up a spoon and actually pick them up a little while they were intent on the "kitty Crack".

2. Always enter the room they're in with the same soft voice. Dopey as it is - I came in the room every time with "oooooh kittens.....it's time for kittttttens"...and eventually they loved hearing that (probably knowing food wasn't far behind ) that it saved us in an escaped (as in outside!) situation later down the road.

3. You can't underestimate time. I spent 2-4 hours with them every day. I did my design work down in their basement kitten/bedroom (once I could get them to leave the screen alone). 

4. Keep a radio on softly 24/7 or tv to something with voices. I tried music - but voices really seemed to make the difference.

5. Play play play - and then reward with eat eat eat!!!!

As I think of more and have more time - maybe I'll shoot another note or two. You're an angel for doing what you're doing -it's tough -= little buggers get in your heart! (we went last night to see one of my favorite ever foster cares - "Buffer the orange & what " from the group of 3 that their mom abounded them after being attached by coons - he's absolutely wonderful (and remembered me!). 

So it can work - and it's worth it. Keep trying - and keep using the forum. It kept me sane!

Kittychick

Have you had any more luck with your feral , Pepper? Did you say how old she was? That'll factor into the process quite a bit! Keep us all posted-this is a great site for tips AND commiserating when you feel at the end of your rope! And it's all worth it when (like I mentioned earlier) something happens like it did for us a few days ago-----visiting a feral/foster kitten we'd worked with for weeks to socialize in his new "forever" home!!! He was "living large" with his new "daddy" & 2 new fur buddies. And we were thrilled that (despite everyone telling us not to get our hopes up) he remembered us immediately!!!! Came gallopping up to us, Purred, rubbed-definitely happy to see us. Times like that make all the long hours of socialization worthwhile!! So don't give up-we're all with you!