taming a kitten

I take care of a colony with at least 7 cats.

Tuna, the most friendly of the adults had a litter of 4 kittens. They are half tame. They will let you pet them while they eat and sometimes come up to you if you call them. One of the least friendly kittens ended up having to go to the vet after what I thought was a simple eye infection got worse. turned out she had warbles. apparently these nasty fat maggots eat under their skin and mature there. She had one under her eye and one above her anus.


she went to the vet on the 8th and would hiss at your for so much as looking at her. now she likes to cuddle and she even gives face rubs, but she's still very scared. I've been keeping her in a dog crate but last night and today I allowed her to explore my room. she's just camping out in a bin of my winter clothes. I put a bunch of toys out for her... any suggestions on how to get her to warm up to indoor life faster? I'm hoping to get her dewormed and shots next weekend (she was too sick her first visit), so until then she can't be around my other cats. She won't be staying with me, but I'm hoping either my sister or my boyfriend can keep her until we get a place of our own so I need her to get used to being inside.

It won't hurt to keep her in the crate most of the time.  Spending time in the room, reading to her, holding her when she allows and just chilling with her will help get her used to you.  I have a feeling she probably won't be too worried about being an inside kitty.  She's been through a lot and obviously know you are her friend.  Just follow her lead, never swoop toward her or speak loudly around her and she'll come around quickly.

Thank you so much for helping her.  Poor little mite would surely have died miserably without you!

kylieanne said:

. any suggestions on how to get her to warm up to indoor life faster?

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I see its already going well. But of course, being so young you will accelerate the process, so its done NOW when its relatively easy.

Ondine says some good remarks.   A couple of tricks:   If she is hesitant to let you touch her, use a tooth comb, and comb her with it.  It feels like moms tongue...   Speak much friendly noises, sing softly if you can...

Wrap her up in a soft towel  like a burrito.   And carry her around at your chest...  A good while.  Make crooning, friendly noises...

Make sure she understands YOU come with food and treats, and clean her litter.  Ie,  YOU as fosterer are essential to her.

A little later on make the caretaker circle broader, so she learns other persons are also friendly...

When you are sure she is healthy, let her see you play with your residents, and let her play with them.   Cats do learn from each other.

One last think.   You are caretaker of this colony, and adopting when possible.  Good and swell..    Are you also doing TNR, - or spaying / neutering in other forms?   If not, please look closely into this -   this is the big prizewinner...

Good luck!

Yes I am trying to TNR. I don't work so I'm trying to raise money through Kenhorst Cats, a page I made for them. I'm only $30 short of getting two of them fixed next weekend

She lets me hold her and pet her and she meows to come out of her crate when I am in the room. All my cats are good with other cats so when she gets a clean bill of health I'll be letting them interact, one of my cats is dying to see her

StefanZ said:

 
I see its already going well. But of course, being so young you will accelerate the process, so its done NOW when its relatively easy.

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Oops!   I see I was perhaps a little unclear here.   Im not adressing your age KylieAnne, but the age of this kitten.   They are easier to socialize completely before they turn 8+.  

Later on they are still fully possible to socialize into loving pets, but they tend to be shy of visitors.

kylieanne said:

Yes I am trying to TNR. I don't work so I'm trying to raise money through Kenhorst Cats, a page I made for them. I'm only $30 short of getting two of them fixed next weekend

 

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Do you have access to a cheap spaying clinic?

Here some tips, you perhaps will find use of them:

cheap  spaying:
If you are in the U.S. ,  the ASPCA has an online database.  http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter

 Or here is a hotline number that will find you a low cost clinic in your area  1-800-248-7729   

www.spayusa.org

I presume most of these places can also do some other vet treatment cheaper than  an average, fashionable vet clinic.

Good luck!

Yes, fairchild foundation near me is doing one next week, shots, worming, and fixing for $35

oh my gosh I'm so excited, if any of you know who Jackson Galaxy is, he retweeted a tweet I posted about my stray cats! just thought I'd share because I think he is really neat

Wow! Good for you - your hard work will pay off!