Adopting Abandoned Kittens

Hi!

I was just approved to adopt 2 Ragdoll kittens from a local rescue. They are almost 5 months old, and the shelter has had them for about a month and a half. They were found outside  with the rest of their litter in a storage container, where they had been living all winter (in Iowa, where it's been below freezing.) They were dumped there by someone. Ugh, breaks my heart.

Anyway, the other littermates were quickly adopted, but one girl & boy kitten were kind of shy. So they were kept for awhile to try and socialize them. The shelter lady said the boy is pretty friendly, but the girl is still a little shy. They are bonded, so I wanted to keep them together for comfort. I was wondering what I can do for them to help them get socialized and warm up to people? I just work 8-5 every day, so I'm home a lot on evenings and weekends, and have tons of time to work with them. There are no other cats or children in the house. Just me.

I figured I'd keep them in a small room with their food and litter box for a few days till they feel comfortable, and let them slowly come out and explore.

Any other suggestions? I get them next Saturday and would like to have everything set up for their arrival. All my other cats were kittens when I got them. I haven't had to deal with cats that might have issues from being alone as babies. 

Thanks!

Hi there,

Well basically what you will have will be semi-feral or semi-tame teenagers.

We've actually had a few threads recently on this very same topic. Breeders who do not take the part of socializing kittens starting at an early age, or spend very limited time with them, resulting in very socially shy kitties.

It's always the females who hold out the most btw, not sure why.......

You will be taking things slowly with them of course, both in adapting to their new surroundings and their new human mom.

I would def. start out as you said, in a small room of their own. Spending as much time as possible in there with them.

Laying on the floor is less intimidating, using a soft sweet consistent voice, giving them time to come to you rather than trying to go to them.

You will need to assess just how shy they are after a few days and let us know here.

One person with the same problem, kitty was so shy and scared I ended up convincing her to cage him and start from scratch, using food techniques, etc.

He has come around beautifully since.

So give an update once you have them and we will go from there.

It's really impossible to know how they will be with you, as a total stranger. The boy has come around more yet that surely took some time too.

In the end, at some point they WILL be fine with you, likely never with strangers but not a big deal there really. It's about adapting to you and gaining trust and security.

try to play with them all you can or until they get tired. don't force attention on them, let them to learn to trust you by holding out your hand and offering treats. sit on the floor, let them explore you while offering treats.

In the end, at some point they WILL be fine with you, likely never with strangers but not a big deal there really. 

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I know it's impossible to tell, but will they ever get to that super friendly Ragdoll-like temperament? I just have friends over occasionally, and would love if they would come and be social with us.

I don't want them to be hide under the bed, scaredy cats. Is there a way I could work on this with them?

probably not, but just take things slowly, don't rush, keep their schedule the same each day. they will warm up to you, it may take a few months or more but they will warm up to you

Paiger816 said:

 
I know it's impossible to tell, but will they ever get to that super friendly Ragdoll-like temperament? I just have friends over occasionally, and would love if they would come and be social with us.

I don't want them to be hide under the bed, scaredy cats. Is there a way I could work on this with them?

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Hard to know for sure, but likely not.

With strangers I mean. With you they will eventually be normal-ish kitties.

They may always startle easily, that part is impossible to know just how comfortable and relaxed they will be but in time will not hide, etc from you.

A good start is to spend time in their room with them, talk to them, hiding or not.

Allow them to get used to you, laying on the floor really is helpful, you can hold your hand out with a treat in it and eventually they will take it from you.

Treats/food is your best bet. Then once they are comfortable taking treats from your hand, pet them. They may not like it but will grasp the idea that with a treat they will get pets. 

It takes time and patience for sure

I know this sounds crazy but while you're gone could you leave either the radio or tv on for them?  It does help to get them accustomed to "voices" or assorted noises in the house.

keyes said:

 
I know this sounds crazy but while you're gone could you leave either the radio or tv on for them?  It does help to get them accustomed to "voices" or assorted noises in the house.

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Yes! I forgot to mention this, very true.

Yep, I can do that. I don't have a TV in the room I am keeping them for awhile, but there's one in the room next to it. Hopefully they can hear it through the door and get used to it.

I also have to make their spay/neuter appointments ASAP after I get them so hopefully they won't hate me too much. I can imagine coming into a strange house with a new person, and then getting your bits removed right away is probably a little scary. The rescue I am adopting them from doesn't spay/neuter until 6 months and I want to get it done a little earlier. 

Paiger816 said:

 
Yep, I can do that. I don't have a TV in the room I am keeping them for awhile, but there's one in the room next to it. Hopefully they can hear it through the door and get used to it.

I also have to make their spay/neuter appointments ASAP after I get them so hopefully they won't hate me too much. I can imagine coming into a strange house with a new person, and then getting your bits removed right away is probably a little scary. The rescue I am adopting them from doesn't spay/neuter until 6 months and I want to get it done a little earlier. 

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6 months is so risky, not sure why any rescue would choose this late of an age frankly.

I'd bet they have unnecessary abortions too, since females can go into heat as early as 4 months. Siblings most definitely mate too, once they start growing into their sexual maturity, they no longer see each other as the siblings they once did.

Moms are the same.

Also add in that males, if not neutered before they are capable of spraying risks this as future behavior, which nobody wants or likes of course.

Normally shelters and rescues always will s/n prior to adopting them out, which is the correct way to do things really.

The tv doesn't need to be loud, they will hear it fine through the door

catwoman707 said:

 
6 months is so risky, not sure why any rescue would choose this late of an age frankly.

I'd bet they have unnecessary abortions too, since females can go into heat as early as 4 months. Siblings most definitely mate too, once they start growing into their sexual maturity, they no longer see each other as the siblings they once did.

Moms are the same.

Also add in that males, if not neutered before they are capable of spraying risks this as future behavior, which nobody wants or likes of course.

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Yep, that's why I'm getting them fixed ASAP. They're a very "granola" shelter, so they recommend holistic vet care, and no vaccines if they're indoor only. I'm guessing that has something to do with the late spay age?

They had all their kitten vaccines I'm told, but I'm going to take them in for a wellness check as soon as I get them just to make sure everything is okay. And schedule their surgery at that time.

My vet wouldn't spay or neuter until the kittens were six months old and then she charged me extra because the female was in heat!  And yes, her brother was trying to mate with her the few weeks before.

Reba said:

 
My vet wouldn't spay or neuter until the kittens were six months old and then she charged me extra because the female was in heat!  And yes, her brother was trying to mate with her the few weeks before.

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That's rediculous...............it doesn't even make sense!

catwoman707 said:

 
That's rediculous...............it doesn't even make sense!

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most vets around here also don't spay or neuter until 5 to 6 months of age. 

This is new to me, and it really doesn't make sense.

The smaller the kitten, the easier it is on their bodies, they come back from the s/n surgery and are ready to play, where-as bigger cats come back drowsy and clumsy, obviously get more anesthesia and a longer recovery time.

Plus, why wait until they are or about to be sexually mature?! Crazy in my opinion.

But anyway, good for another thread, we don't want to get off the topic too much!

catwoman707 said:

 
This is new to me, and it really doesn't make sense.

The smaller the kitten, the easier it is on their bodies, they come back from the s/n surgery and are ready to play, where-as bigger cats come back drowsy and clumsy, obviously get more anesthesia and a longer recovery time.

Plus, why wait until they are or about to be sexually mature?! Crazy in my opinion.

But anyway, good for another thread, we don't want to get off the topic too much!

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the low cost one here required to be 4 month. it just some vets policy to wait, i will email one asking why. 

Many regular vets want to wait until 4 months here too, but it's the 6 months of age that gets me!

Our low cost s/n clinics are 2 lbs minimum, which is about 9+ weeks old.

catwoman707 said:

 
Many regular vets want to wait until 4 months here too, but it's the 6 months of age that gets me!

Our low cost s/n clinics are 2 lbs minimum, which is about 9+ weeks old.

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here some trends that talked  about it http://www.thecatsite.com/t/64589/is-6-months-a-normal-age http://www.thecatsite.com/t/284584/best-to-spay-at-5-or-6-months

Hi Paiger816,

If you want to put the effort in and you have good friends, this usually works.  I say usually because there are always exceptions. 

"I know it's impossible to tell, but will they ever get to that super friendly Ragdoll-like temperament? I just have friends over occasionally, and would love if they would come and be social with us.

I don't want them to be hide under the bed, scaredy cats. Is there a way I could work on this with them?"

After they have become "ok" with you coming in and out of their room, crawling all over you on the floor and not running to their safe zone every time something startles them, (safe zone = small cat cave within the room they stay in, a necessity).  Only then is when you may want to try the following practice.  It's usually a win win ...win. 

Gives you a better chance of not having "scaredy cats," gives your friends a better understanding of you and your new family members as well as teaching them how to interact with cats in general, and of course it gives your cats the experience of "strangers" in a controlled environment thus allowing them to build the trust and self esteem needed to deal with strangers as equals.   

The key to the whole thing is keeping all movements slow, talking in a relaxed tone, no sudden excitement and NO EYE CONTACT with the cats at all.

Basically, everyone acts as if there are no cats in the room and they themselves are Ninjas, walking talking moving smoothly to blend in with surroundings. lol

Start with a friend that understands this could be a make or break moment and can handle not "reaching out to kitty" even if kitty is licking his/her nose.

1- Open the door a bit, friend out of view.  Be in quiet conversation while opening door.  Look to see cats reaction.  Terrified= close door, try again in 15 min.  move conversation away from door.  Shy or Oblivious = continue a few min.  give treats if possible.  close door.  continue conversation away from door.  repeat x 3

When cats become "only scared" not terrified or if they are coming to the door for you and treats, then:

2-Bring a friend into the room slowly behind you, settle down on the floor as if you are going to play chess, put yourself between cats and friend but situated so friend is not facing cats or blocking cave.

Have friend do nothing but keep the arms still and the hands and fingers lightly closed.  Remember, your hands and fingers are MASSIVE  paws and claws to a cat.

Have 6 or so soft cat toys as chess pieces with you, put them out while talking softly, wait a bit then reach out and randomly move one.  Have friend do the same,

slowly, with fingers still closed.  Keep at this slo mo chess game for 20 min. 

One of two things will happen, cats will remain in their safe zone OR they will get curious and venture out.  Maybe only 5 steps and run back in, but 5 steps is HUGE.

3- Slowly gather up and move out.     Wait a few and go in solo for "you time" and treats.   If all is good, do it again in an hour.

That's it,  everything else is building upon that foundation.

Cat's crawling all over you and scared of friend,  roll a toy so cat has to be near friend to get it, friend is a statue at this point.  put treats near friend, on friends leg, arm etc.

Cats will eventually get curious enough to smell, tap maybe claw (buck up friend it's for a common good, wear that scar proud. lol) climb on and test.  Friend remains oblivious to cats, no reactions no eye contact.  I should add: Friend should wear long pants and sleeves.

When cats don't run every time friend makes a move,  friend starts giving treats = open hand palm up, flat on ground fingers together, let cats come get it, don't move hand

Take a flying feather toy and fly around friend,  cat will be jumping on "stranger" before you can say ouch!  That stranger makes for some good traction.

Friend might give a gentle flick to get a ball rolling without watching the action that follows.

Brushing your hair with your closed hand, a long scratch on a fake itch, a yawn and a long hmmmm. 

Nothing says "I'm Not A Threat" to a cat better than another "cat" that's busy cleaning, scratching, sleeping or ignoring them. 

When cats are staying out more than in....bring in two friends, new one stays mellow at first. bla bla bla.

You want to be able to play a calm game of cards with  2 friends with cats watching or messing up cards, not hiding.   When that can happen, bring in two more. 

Treats are everything.  Any time they come around, treat.  A new action, treat.  Sniff, look at, jump on friend, treat. etc.

Don't rush anything.  If you are wondering if it's time for the next step.....it's not.  You will know when they're ready.

Extra tips: 

A little cream cheese placed on a knee, elbow, wrist etc makes a scaredy cat want to say hi.

Kong brand "naturals" balls and or fish, with feathers or not, with a hint of catnip and nothing dangerous attached.  Simple, safe and they love em.

Ping pong balls work well as do the fabric covered kind, no sparklies or crap that can be torn off and eaten.   Anything that rolls will pull the attention off the "stranger."

If you can afford one, get the stationary toy that is round, about 18 inches across x 3 inches tall. The inside section is a round cardboard scratching area

about 12 inches across and surrounding that is a U shape track that a ball rolls round and round.  

9 out of 10 cats demand this toy.  If yours like it, it's a great tool for interacting with with friends.  Caution: you may hear the ball spinning around at 3am or ?

If you have a relaxed couple of friends that "get" what you are trying to do and are totally on board with the game.  Take both in instead of just one and follow same plan.

Friends aren't there to have fun with cats,  friends are there so cats can learn that strangers in your house don't reach out to grab, scratch and eat them.

All the posts above are right on, it's going to take some time for these two to get comfortable with you.  When you see that happening, you'll know if it's time for this.

Thank you for taking these two and especially for keeping the siblings together.  If you have time in the future to drop a note, I'd really like to hear how they are doing.

dad2many

p.s.

I'm sure you're aware but I'll post just in case:  Being raised in a container, they will probably be very jumpy about pots and pans, metal trash cans, loud crashes, trucks...

and last, have a friend start the vacuum in a distant room, starting with a few seconds at a time and building up.  You'll be with your cats calming them and giving treats every time the vacuum starts.  Over a couple days with the vacuum getting closer and closer and running longer, getting treats each time and letting it sit unplugged in a comfortable area they can explore will all help them understand it's not a threat.     Just my threefiddies worth, good luck.

Thank you so much for your response Dad2Many. I'm going to print it so I can have it handy the first time I have friends over.

I get the kittens Saturday. I'm going a little stir crazy waiting. They're getting fixed ASAP (hoping the girl isn't in heat or pregnant yet... ick.) I'm hoping the spay & neutering will help with their temperament as well. I have read that a lot of cats get better after being fixed.