I have been fostering two feral kittens - at least I think they're feral - for about ten days. The vet says they are about 3 months old (brother and sister). Is it a very bad sign if they don't play and don't respond to food? They do eat but they do it at night so I have been unable to use food as an incentive for socialization. Babyfood on spoon or finger does not work thus far. Play therapy (using fishing toy) does not work either. I don't think they know how to play. They hide all the time when I am in their room. Sometimes they leave the food and litter untouched all day. I've done the swaddling thing on the girl kitten and she got so scared she peed on the towel.
Some background: last summer, I took in two strays, 7 week old brothers, who lived with me for a few months before being adopted last month. These guys played, ate ravenously, were curious about their surroundings and I was able to socialize them through food and play. One of them was very shy and wouldn't let me touch him for six weeks but he wasn't hiding all the time like these new kittens are doing. I guess if there is a spectrum of socialized/stray/feral, these new kittens would be much more on the feral side.
I know it's early days, but I'm a bit lost because they don't respond to food or play. Should I be doing more of the forced cuddling? Should I put them in a cage? I toyed with the idea of putting them in a cage in the main cat room (my computer room where I spend a lot of time and where my two big cats hang out) but somehow I'm thinking that wouldn't be such a good idea at this point. These poor little kittens are so stressed out. Should I just leave them alone and sit in the room with them from time to time? I am committed to socializing them and getting them adopted but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Or maybe I should say underwhelmed at the lack of response from the kittens. What do you do when kittens simply won't engage?
Some background: last summer, I took in two strays, 7 week old brothers, who lived with me for a few months before being adopted last month. These guys played, ate ravenously, were curious about their surroundings and I was able to socialize them through food and play. One of them was very shy and wouldn't let me touch him for six weeks but he wasn't hiding all the time like these new kittens are doing. I guess if there is a spectrum of socialized/stray/feral, these new kittens would be much more on the feral side.
I know it's early days, but I'm a bit lost because they don't respond to food or play. Should I be doing more of the forced cuddling? Should I put them in a cage? I toyed with the idea of putting them in a cage in the main cat room (my computer room where I spend a lot of time and where my two big cats hang out) but somehow I'm thinking that wouldn't be such a good idea at this point. These poor little kittens are so stressed out. Should I just leave them alone and sit in the room with them from time to time? I am committed to socializing them and getting them adopted but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Or maybe I should say underwhelmed at the lack of response from the kittens. What do you do when kittens simply won't engage?