Taming the Feral Kitten in My Bathroom

coneja

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Hello everyone; last Tuesday I brought home a feral three month old kitten/young cat who had been living by a river in my old hometown. A friend who works for a no-kill adoption organization was the one who trapped him and some of his siblings, and she had him for a couple weeks before I became his foster parent. Right now, he's in a large (approx 2" by 3") cage that takes up half of my bathroom. He mainly hangs out inside a small, open cat carrier placed inside the crate/cage. The crate is on a stand so he can at least be higher than the floor.

He's doing quite well: purring and rubbing against my hands when I scratch his face, and he's even given me what I think was a "soft blink" back when I did the same thing to him. He will come out of the carrier (not the cage/crate) when I lure him out with canned cat food, which he eats out of my hand. He's uncertain about me petting him while he's eating though, and otherwise doesn't come out of the carrier when I'm there; he just sits toward the front. My friend suggested removing the lid of the carrier so that he'll have a semi-secure place with high sides to sleep in but not be able to be unreachable/hide. As it stands now, I can't really do full body petting. But I'm nervous that removing the lid will make him backslide or become more scared. Has anyone else had a similar set-up with a carrier inside a crate? I've been reading a lot on the forum about others' experiences, and it seems most people have the cat loose in their bathrooms... perhaps because they don't have a cage/crate or perhaps because it's better? Any opinions on that?

The kitty (I named him Theo) is making improvements everyday, so I don't know how hard I should push him or if he'll naturally "push" himself. I've gotten a lot of great advice on this site just by reading, and I'm trying to implement as many taming strategies as I can in the time I'm not at work. I was afraid he was too old when I first took him, but after reading others' experiences and seeing how he's improved, I'm pretty hopeful. Thanks for any further tips you can give a first-time feral cat care-giver. :)
 

shadowsrescue

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Thank you so much for rescuing this sweet feral.  Socializing a feral is very rewarding, but also hard work.  Ferals work at their own pace.  Yet this one has been fostered and also had human contact so he should be progressing nicely.  Here is a series of 3 videos on socializing feral kittens.  It starts with the rescue of the kittens and progresses.  There are some really really great tips. 

http://www.urbancatleague.org/TamingVideo

When you are ready to move the cat to a bedroom or other space, be sure to cat proof.  Block access under furniture especially under the bed.  You can put the mattress/box springs directly on the floor or block all around the bed.  Also look out for under and behind book cases and dresser and under couches and chairs.  They can hide quickly and easily. 

Spend a lot of time with him.  You can gradually move to putting up a tall baby gate ( or stacking 2 on top of each other) so that he can be out and about in the bathroom and can also see you in your home. 

Ask lots of questions.  We are all here to help!
 
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coneja

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Thanks for your reply and the links to the videos. It was nice to see the transition process step by step. It makes me wonder if I should transfer him from the cage to free roaming my bathroom (cat proofed, of course) so I could get down more on his level, which the videos emphasize a lot. As it is now, I have to reach into the carrier a lot to initiate contact. However, he came all the way out of the carrier tonight to let me pet him for a few moments before heading back in... Made me super happy! I think I will try removing the top of the carrier and seeing how that goes first before going "free range."

One question that came to mind tonight: I bought him a peacock feather and once he started playing, he got a bit aggressive with it. He didn't act out toward me, but the play seemed to be much more intense than it is with my own cat. He was holding it pretty tightly in his mouth and paws and pulling it into the carrier to "kill" it. I put it away and he calmed down quickly enough. Again, he didn't try to bite, hiss at, or scratch me, but is there any concern that playing with him with this is going to bring any of that out? It might be a silly question but I was wondering if there were "good" toys and "bad" toys in this situation. (For example, I will definitely stay away from the gloves with toys dangling from them, lest he starts to think it's okay to attack hands...)
 

shadowsrescue

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Good idea to open the top of the carrier as a first step.  Just be sure that when you first allow him free roam of the bathroom, you leave the carrier there with the door tied open.  This will allow him to still have a safe hiding spot if he needs it. 

As for the toy, just use your own judgement.  If you think it is too aggressive, stop the play.  You can offer him some toy mice or a few balls to bat around for less aggressive play.  Yet, he does need to play and he is practicing his hunting skills.  I have read that when you play with your cat and they work on their hunting skills, you should always offer a yummy treat reward.  When cats in the wild hunt, they then eat their prey. 

Keep up the food work and keep us posted.
 

ondine

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You are doing a great job.  Keep in mind that having been born feral doesn't mean he's going to grow up wild.  In many ways, he's a regular housecat now - having become used to living inside and being fed regularly.

His behavior with the toys sounds normal - kittens are like children; they have no experience to hold themselves back when they get excited.  That's your job, so if he gets too wound up, stop the play and help him calm down (good luck with that too 
)

But it can be done and you will soon learn his triggers.  Thank you for taking this on.  He's a lucky kitty!
 
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coneja

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Thanks guys! Tonight, I think we had another breakthrough... Over the past couple of days, he's been getting used to me petting him while he's eating kibble, and eating wet food off my hands. At each wet food session, he's been gradually getting closer and closer to me until he's at the edge of the cage's open door. After tonight's session, he kept coming over to me if I started petting him, so I gave him little pieces of treat. He was being super lovey and  letting me pet his whole body, not just his head and shoulders. (Normally at that point he gets skittish, although he leans into my hand and purrs like a fiend when I pet him on the head.) He even laid down in front of me for a couple seconds which he NEVER does outside his carrier when I'm in the room. Then he went to eat some kibble and turned his back/side to me... the only time he's been right next to me and focused his eyes elsewhere... It was short-lived, but I'm still happy it happened.

He's doing so good, I'm just thrilled. I feel I got very lucky having him be so responsive to humans (his sister was not, and had to be TNR'ed) and he's been acting like such a love-bug lately. Still quite skittish at times, even hissing at me occasionally if I surprise him when walking into the bathroom, but overall he's responding wonderfully. :)
 

shadowsrescue

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It sounds like Theo is making great progress!!  Keep up the good work.  Visit him as often as you can.  Even short 2-5 minute sessions are better than nothing.  You also could get a baby gate and attach it to the doorway of your bathroom.  That way you could keep the door open and he could start to hear more of your daily life.  You would only want to do this while you are home.  You can get pretty cheap gates at Target/Walmart or more elaborate online.  I have an extra talk walk through gate that is attached to my door way, but has a lever you pull up to get in and out.  That way I don't have to take it down each time I want to enter the room or climb over it!!  I found it on Amazon. 

Keep us posted.
 
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coneja

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He's still in the large crate right now, but I'm probably going to turn him loose in the bathroom, perhaps tomorrow in which case I would like to get a baby gate... Right now the door's always open when I'm home but that's because he's confined to the cage... If I let him out, I'll also need to further velcro my bathroom cupboard doors shut! My own cat figured how to open cupboards (with and without a bit of velcro) pretty quickly after we moved to this new apartment, and I don't want to take the chance of either of them getting into any household chemicals. Maybe that will be a project for tonight...

I took a picture of him the other day, and this was the best photo... He's got his "scared eyes" on, but in all the others the pupils aren't nearly so large and he didn't seem disturbed at all with me clicking away. Theo's ear got tipped after a mix up between him and what I presume was his sister at the vet clinic. Interestingly, his front foot is either slightly deformed or had been damaged at some point, something the vet didn't notice while he was being neutered; he doesn't walk on his toes like most cats on that paw. He's very flat-footed so it makes his paw look too long since the joint seems  further back... He stands, walks, and plays with it just fine though.

Lately he's been sitting outside the carrier more, though still not when I'm in the room. I'll keep posting new developments; it's nice to talk about it with people who've had experience with this sort of thing. I appreciate all the advice. :)

 
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coneja

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I know last time I posted on this thread was over a month ago (and I'm not sure what the rules about reviving old threads) but I just wanted to update that my feral/stray kitten is doing great! He's free-ranging in my bathroom, and although he won't sit on my lap, he does enjoy being petted and will sit next to me when I'm in there with him. He still runs sometimes if I move the wrong way, or will bat/claw at me either out of rowdiness or when he doesn't like the way I'm petting him. But other than that, he's doing very well.

Right now I'm working on introducing him to my resident cat, Luna. She hisses at him, though not as much as she used to. I feed her by his door and do a little bit of informal scent swapping (putting some of his toys/blankets on her side of the door). A couple times she's come a little ways into the bathroom, and he cries and rolls over on his tummy. In those instances, she'd hiss then slowly back away. Yesterday, though, she went nose to nose with him and didn't do anything. I've been rewarding her with treats each time she comes into the bathroom so that she associates him with food. :) Anyway, that's a work in progress but I think it's very possible that she will eventually tolerate, if not accept, him.

Thanks again, ShadowsRescue and Ondine for the support and advice (the Urban Cat League video was very helpful, and I'll be recommending it to anyone who works with ferals). You guys are awesome! :)
 

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Thanks so much for the update.  He has come along way!

When I brought a feral/stray into my home last year and introduced him to my resident cat, I first started with a tall baby gate.  Then I moved to a cheap wooden screen door that I attached with tension rods.  It was a bit of a pain to move, but so much better than defacing the door.  The cats could safely sniff each other and see each other.  I never left them unattended with the screen door and also kept a baby gate in the door way.  I used this set up for months.  I have pictures if you'd like to see how I used the screen door.  The screen door was $20 at Lowes and the tension rods were $4.  You just need a wall to attach the tension rods.

Hopefully soon he will be fully integrated into your home.
 

ondine

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Good job! Thanks for the update. Moving slowly is the absolute best approach, although I admit that I get impatient sometimes. But it really sounds like you are doing everything right!
 
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coneja

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Sure, I'd love to see the pictures. I used a pet gate, which I knew he could jump over but assumed he wouldn't because he was so skittish of anything new. I only used it while I was at home to supervise, and wouldn't you know, we didn't even make it one day before he was climbing over it. At that time I didn't know how Luna would react (she only hissed at him through the gate and I didn't want him to disappear into my apartment so I panicked a bit, which made him scared, and when I tried to pick him up he got me good on the webbing between my thumb and fingers. We were right by the door and I had the presence of mind to lift up the baby gate and he shot back under. I could jury rig it to make it taller but honestly haven't used it since then.

When I am feeding I can leave the door open partway, and Luna will come in, touch noses with him and/or sniff him before retreating. She sometimes hisses (usually when he lays down and tries to be submissive) but she is improving a lot. Theo, for his part, just really wants to be her friend. So I think we will get there slowly. (It's hard not to be a little impatient, but I tell myself the longer he's sequestered in the bathroom, then the less time he has to tear up the rest of my apartment, haha!) Then I've got to figure out if I really want to try and adopt him out or not. (He's a foster for an animal rescue group, and I'm leaning toward the latter...)
 

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You've made amazing progress with your newest baby! Socialization is a "fits and starts" process --- but I think you've made huge progress with Theo! He may never be a lap cat, but most of my very social, never feral cats aren't either ;)

My big advice is take the introduction with your other kitty very slowly. The feral we brought in over the summer (and she was over a year old at the time) we took weeks of working with her in our foster room & feeding our resident kitties on the other side (with varying degrees of hissing on our original guys side). We tried then going to a baby gate - but despite having cerebellar hypoplasia, she scaled it immediately & panicked once on the other side, like your guy :) What finally did it - I bought a cheap wooden Japanese screen type room divider that's 5 feet tall and put it in the doorway, feeding on both sides. We were VERY tempted to skip or shorten this step as Flick is really sweet, but so glad we didn't. We kept up that stage for weeks...and introductions were then a dream!!! Very minor "power posturing" (all on our resident guys' side only) for about 10 minutes. And happy to report it's still 99.9% kitty bliss!

So take this step slowly. And keep us posted on their progress!
 
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coneja

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ShadowsRescue: Okay, I see what you're saying now. Hmmm... Seems that might be easier than stacking two baby gates (my original plan.) KittyChick, where did you get your screen? Something like that might be simpler to take down and put up. Since he's in my bathroom, I'm in and out of there all the time when I'm here, mainly because I wash my hands so frequently (I've got a bit of OCD.) But either way, I suppose I should drop back to feeding at the screen before continuing down the path I'm on; right now, when I open the door to go in or out, if Luna's on one side, Theo will come out, grovel, sniff her and the area, etc. while Lu generally just sniffs him then backs away. Occasionally she hisses and when I call him back, he pretty much comes to me/retreats to the bathroom. This first started happening by accident when Luna got the courage to come into the bathroom a couple of times and I watched them, but perhaps it's rushing things to let them do it like this...

KittyChick: Thanks, I do love his spots. I'm pretty partial to black and white cats, ever since getting Luna who is a large tuxedo... which means I love the facial markings on the cat in your signature: very unique, very pretty. :)

I had to go through a bunch of blurry photos before I managed some good ones. These two show him off a bit more, and you can also see his odd left front foot. that I mentioned before. It looks longer than his right, and while he uses it fine, he does put slightly less weight on it when playing. I wonder if he broke it when he was younger, though it seems unlikely given where he came from...

      

I will try and figure something out for the door so we can do introductions in a bit more of a controlled manner, although that might have to wait until next weekend depending on how busy this one is...
 

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The black & white sweetie in my pic is Bowie-one of our brood :) He's a "failed foster" ---he came to us to foster as a very abused little boy who'd been left at the end of a driveway for days in a hamster cage. Nonfood, water or litterbox. We ended up not being able to let him go :)

Got our cheap screen at Big Lots. I've seen similar cheap ones at Walmart. You might need to block openings at the bottom, but I like that we can easily move it when done socializing. It's not as cheap as the screen door probably (or even 2 baby gates) but we use it so much for foster socialization it's worth it!

My personal advice is it's best to do at least a few weeks of feeding on opposite sides of something where they can see each other----and not letting them truly interact till they can eat like that without either one growling.

Keep us posted on progress!
 
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coneja

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Poor Bowie... I will never understand how a person can do something like that...

We'll see if this one ends up being a "failed foster" as well, haha. 

Set up my one baby gate this morning and they were sniffing each other through it with no hissing. Luna settled onto the chair I was using to prop it up -probably because I was on the other side but I'm pleased she can settle down so close to Theo, even if he's not right there...

I'll keep adding updates as they develop. Thanks again, guys.
 

kittychick

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Please just remember slow and steady. Speed has never satisfied -in the long wrong -anything other than my immediate desire. And then I've almost always come to regret pushing too fast.

So slow! And good luck!
 
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coneja

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Okay, time to update: I've been doing the baby gate feeding almost every day for about a week (only ended up needing to use the one I had; Theo hasn't tried to climb over it in earnest this time). Both of them are used to this and comfortable with it, it seems. During play time, Luna will often come up to the baby gate and sit nearby, or even lay down on the chair I'm using to prop the gate in the doorway. So she seems very chill with him in this scenario. However, sometimes she'll come into the bathroom on her own (when I have the baby gate down and the door just resting shut because I'm cleaning Theo's litterbox or just doing whatever in the bathroom) and he'll run up to try and play or rub against her and she hisses. I usually just hang back in this situation. She'll keep exploring, smelling the litterbox and cautiously roaming, but anytime he tries to get near her or touches her, she hisses and he'll grovel for a minute before trying again. Mind you, when the baby gate's up, Luna will watching try and touch her through the bars without any concern or hissing. She'll even act like she wants to play, coming over and crouching before racing away when she's in one of her playful moods. But she doesn't like being touched by him.

Should I just keep doing the feeding by the gate and try some scent swapping with blankets? There's already a bit of that because I have mats in there that I take out when I'm gone for the day (lest he shove them up under the heater) so those are sitting by the bathroom door...

Also, should I stop her when she tries to come into the bathroom? My thoughts are, if she's wanting to check him out, I should let her move at that pace. But that still might be too fast... (By the way, her coming into the bathroom has only happened two or three times in this last week and a half.)
 
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