My first bigger ferals

gapeach

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I went to pick up what was supposed to be two feral babies just weaned. What I got was about a 3-4 month old kitten and a quite older possibly half grown cat. My only other experience was with a group of feral kittens that were only around 2 weeks old. We had them calmed within 30 minutes and could handle them with minimum hissing.

I need help/advice with these. If I didn't take them they would have been put down. But they climb on, over and under everything to try to get away from me. And hiss. To be honest, they scare me. Earlier today the smaller one let me pet him/her on the butt. But this tonight it was right back to hissing.
I need tips on making nice please?
 

ritz

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Thank you for taking in these kittens  Ritz (and her litter mates) were rescued the day after Christmas when they were about four months old, they were abandoned when the (in)humane owner moved out.  Feed milk and scraps by neighbors and dumpster dived.

Ritz is a lap cat, likes her belly rubbed, though is still a bit skittish about sudden movement, noises.

So a 3-4 month old kitten can be socialized.  They're hissing cause they are scared, but part of them wants to trust.

I would socialize these older cats as you would do with younger cats, only slooowwwwweeerrrr.

I'd put them in a room all of their own, with litter boxes, etc.  Play calming music.  Feliway plugs in.  Spend as much time with them as realistic (wrap presents, maybe--they might be drawn to the crinkly sounds).

Feed them only when  you are present, so they get use to humans = good things.   You can place food far from you, watch them eat, then move the food bowl towards you gradually.   (I helped the rescuer socialize the cats, never having been around cats before.  The cats stayed/hid in her large medicine cabinet.  We literally threw lightly seared beef and chicken up to them.  Then gradually threw the meat around the sink, forcing them to come down out of the medicine cabinet if they wanted food.  Then, on to the ground.)

Touching:  brush with a wand/feather.  Then with a real pet brush.

Ritz:  best Christmas present ever.

Good luck, and keep us posted with updates/progress.
 
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gapeach

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Thank you, so far the older one has let me pet her while she was eating. The younger one I laid one piece of food out at a time and he slowly came out of the crate. Will try your suggestion of only feeding when I'm in with them.
 

di and bob

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I believe they are both young enough to be socialized, it will just take longer. Just remember, no sudden movements, and you might just sit quietly in the same room and let them get used to you. Once they know YOU are the food provider, they will learn to look forward to you coming! I've had totally feral cats older then yours and was able to stroke them after a few months of patience. Bless you for giving these two a chance.
 
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gapeach

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Thank you for giving us hope. The little one continues to stay in the carrier but patted my hand with no claws this last time, maybe I should try a toy?
 

ondine

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Oh thank you for helping them!  One trick a lot of us use is Gerber chicken baby food.  Get the kind with just chicken and water (no onions).  A little bit on the end of a spoon and you will have some new best friends.

Wand toys are great too.  They allow the kittens to play and they become focused on the toy, not you.
 
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gapeach

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Thank you. They are now named Sophie (calico) and Dusty (white with gray tabby marked spots) Both of them are being able to be held now. But are not using the litter box. They do all their business in the crate and then lay on it. I removed the crate to see what happens.
 
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