Feral & Pregnant

Hi, My husband & I fostered a pregnant cat from a local resuce. She came into our home six days ago around 6pm. Since then she's been living under our bed. In the beginning we slide her food to her, now I leave it just under the bed. She will not come near it if either of us are in the room but as soon as we leave she's on it. About 5 mintes after lights out at night she will venture out to drink, eat dry food we leave out for her & to use the litter box. She seems to be quite relaxed if we keep our distance. She stretches out & gives me long slow blinks when I talk to her. I was told she'll probably have her kittens in the next weeks or two, she is very close. We thought it best to let her come to us, not be agressive with her but it doesn't seem to be working too well. Should we be trying a little harder or should we leave her be until after her kiittens arrive? Will she be more trusting once she's given birth? Will she let us near her kittens? Any insight or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Sandra

I think it sounds good!  You are on the way, although you perhaps dont realise it yet.   The stretching and slow blinking is  VERY promising!   I bet she also yawns a lot when she sees you?   You see!   all this are token of friendship.

So, yes, be a little more active, but you are essentially doing it already well.  You let her land. You let her get the sure knowledge you are OK people, respecting her needs and her persona... You are reliable folks.

Go slowly forward, precisely  as you do, it will be better and better.  But yes, its time for next step(s).

Sit down on the floor in her room, and be there. work on the computer, read aloud, sing sotto voice if you can sing. make friedly noises.  Dont sit  too near her place.  If she wants come forward, she will, otherwise she will simply have your friendly company and be surely happy with that...

Use also the food as your contact creating.   Be sure you come to her several time a day (and night if you can), with small portions.  and talk friendly and pleasantly when you come with the food.   small portions, so you can do it several times a day - if you do have the time, that is.

Observe, Im not saying you shall  do dressage on her withoulding the food unless she comes and ates from your hand - although it is effective and often used by these dressaging animals!    Its more than enough she connects you and your friendly noises with the food, coming regularly.

Friendly noises and sweet talk are very potent with cats, not least with females.  Its sort of a natural language with them  A friendly tom courts patiently, using lotsa of soft noises and mounts her firstly when she is perfectly ready.   A dominant, territorial tom just takes what he wants, even beating her up if necessary to get what he wants...

So cats, especially females, knows very well who is friendly, and who isnt...

Yes, she will allow you to handle her kittens, etc, as long as you do it respectfully, so she can see and hear them.  

You dont even need to be THAT  succesfull with fostering.

But your aim is higher than this, you want to socialize and foster her too.   I think you will succeed here. At the time the kittens are ready to adopt out, she too will be more or less socialized.

Tx a lot for caring!

Good luck!