Taming a feral kitten

I have been feeding a feral kitten for about 1.5 months now and I think she is about 3 or 4 months old.I will get her spayed once she's old enough.At first she didnt get close to me and didnt even eat near me but now when I call her she runs to me and meows for food. She even eats from my hand and jumps to my lap for food but doesnt let me pet her.When I extend my hand with no food she smells and tries to claw at my hand also if i try to touch her she runs away but if i have food she eats and licks my hand and I havent got any scratches so far.Can you give me some advice on how I can get her used to petting or should I wait untill she rubs me and not try to pet her?

Let her set the pace.  Even though it doesn't seem like it, she has come a long way.  Is there any chance you can bring her in and give her a room?  That will make it a lot easier to socialize her and it will definitely make it eaier to get her to the vet when the time comes,  She's actually old enough to be spayed now, so the sooner the better!

One trick is to extend your fist to her.  It will look like a cat wanting a head bump.  Once she bumps you, you can slowly scritch her cheek or ear and gradually work you way up to petting her.

She may be batting at your hand hoping to dislodge the food she thinks is in there.

Thank you for helping her.

ladybella said:

 
I have been feeding a feral kitten for about 1.5 months now and I think she is about 3 or 4 months old.I will get her spayed once she's old enough.At first she didnt get close to me and didnt even eat near me but now when I call her she runs to me and meows for food. She even eats from my hand and jumps to my lap for food but doesnt let me pet her.When I extend my hand with no food she smells and tries to claw at my hand also if i try to touch her she runs away but if i have food she eats and licks my hand and I havent got any scratches so far.Can you give me some advice on how I can get her used to petting or should I wait untill she rubs me and not try to pet her?

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what country are you in? in the usa, she is old enough to be spayed. 

My Suzie started out as a feral cat as well. How I got her used to me was I would sit out on the porch while she ate, letting her get used to me being around. For some reason, she would let me pet her when I would put the bowl down on the porch for a few minutes while she ate. After she ate, I would extend my hand towards her, of course she would have nothing to do with my physically touching her now. Eventually your cat will start coming to you. I would just sit on the ground, allowing her to come to me and rub against me. In time I could extend my hand towards her and she would allow me to pet her, then pick her up and place her on my lap. This all was at her pace, therefore I received hardly any scratches from her. How I got her used to coming into the house, I would sit on my sofa leaving the door wide open. At first she would come and peek inside, then she would step inside, look around and then walk back out the door. Everything I mentioned above is a process, that needs to proceed at their pace, we cannot speed this process along. Don't worry, you already have a good start. She will be cuddling next to you on your sofa before you know it as well. I had no idea that feral cats can be sooooo affectionate! The aloofness your hear about feral cats could not be more wrong for many of these cats. Believe me, this process, when finished, will be well worth it!!! I have another male Siamese that I feed as well. Now Simon, on the other hand is scared of me, will not allow me to get close to him at all. The two could not be any more different, as night is from day. Oh well, one out of two....

Ondine said:

 
Let her set the pace.  Even though it doesn't seem like it, she has come a long way.  Is there any chance you can bring her in and give her a room?  That will make it a lot easier to socialize her and it will definitely make it eaier to get her to the vet when the time comes,  She's actually old enough to be spayed now, so the sooner the better!

One trick is to extend your fist to her.  It will look like a cat wanting a head bump.  Once she bumps you, you can slowly scritch her cheek or ear and gradually work you way up to petting her.

She may be batting at your hand hoping to dislodge the food she thinks is in there.

Thank you for helping her.

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Unfortunately I can't bring her in because my family doesn't want pets at home also we're at a high floor so there is the risk of the cat's jumping from the windows.So I want to keep feeding her outside and I do that everyday.Thank you so much for responding and advice!

detmut said:

 
what country are you in? in the usa, she is old enough to be spayed. 

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I live in Turkey and I don't know but she still seems so small to have an operation.Also I'm waiting for her to get more used to me cause I might have to take her in home for a few days for recovery after the spaying.But I will do it as soon as I can.

ladybella said:

 
I live in Turkey and I don't know but she still seems so small to have an operation.Also I'm waiting for her to get more used to me cause I might have to take her in home for a few days for recovery after the spaying.But I will do it as soon as I can.

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If the vet in Turkey agree to spay her already now, try and do so.   First, because many homeless looks younger than they are - its because they usually dont have enough with food.  So she may even be enough old to get pregnant already now.   Quite young girls can, so  young cats too.   A tom wouldnt hesitate.

Best is if you use a trap of some sort.  So she doesnt connect YOU with cathing her and taking to the unpleasant vet.   Perhaps rig up a carrier, or so.

But YOU will be connecteed with the one who lets her out from the cage or carrier, back in your home...

Taking her in a trap means also, you arent forced to become her best friend, before you take her to the vet for spaying.

Good luck!