in need of advice!

Hello all!

My husband and I live on a farm and have several tame barn cats. One of our favorites, Angel, had kittens, and one of them was born with only three legs. She is absolutely adorable. She was born up in the barn and came to the house, and she is absolutely feral. She runs from us, and we have to catch her to even touch her.

Because of her special nature (having only three legs, her two front kegs and only one back leg), my husband and I are wanting to bring the kitten, which we have named Tippy, indoors. She is currently wrapped in a blanket on my lap, but I need advice on ways to tame her. She is old enough that she will eat wet food or dry food, and her mom has already weaned her. She is just so skittish that I need help. It doesn't help that I have a two year old little boy who is loud and constantly gets in her face saying "KITTY! KITTY!"

My other problem is that I have two adult indoor cats already who have no desire to have another little one in the house. How do we integrate the kitten with our two females (once she's tamer of course) Our oldest Smokey is the main problem.

Any advice would be welcome. A vet visit is in the near future I should add.

Do you have a room that you could set up for the kitten with litter box and bed?  Somewhere not very large where she cannot get behind or under furniture?  She needs a place she can run to that is safe from your older cats and your son.  A powder room would be ideal if you can get by without using it for a few weeks.  Short of that, I just used a 4' x 4' dog play pen for some kittens that worked well.  You have to rig up a top for it.  Or a large dog crate big enough for a litter box could work.  The idea is to not give her enough space where you end up chasing her.  You want her to be able to come to you coaxing her with food.  But she really needs a safe place.

First step is a vet visit.  You want to get her shots and a clean bill of health before she has any contact with your other cats.  You also will want to schedule her spay surgery. 

A room of her own is a must to start with.  You can use any room that has a door as long as it is cat proofed.  You will need to remove mattresses or place them directly on the floor as you do not want her getting under the bed.  Also block behind and under other furniture.  When you visit her this will give her space to move around.  When she is alone, you will want a carrier or dog cage for her to be safe since she is so small and young. 

When working with her, sit on the floor at her level.  Do not loom over her.  Talk quietly and pet her if she allows.  Gerber stage 2 baby food is a great training tool.  Chicken or turkey with only water and no added spices.  It's in a small glass jar with a blue label.  You can give a bit on a plate then progress to her eating off a spoon and then off your fingers.  This way she will associate you with something good.  Get a few toys for her.  Toy mice, a laser pointer, wand toy or even a shoe string.  Engage her in some play time. 

As for intros, you will want to wait a bit.  Get the vets all clear first.  Then patience is your friend.  Slow and steady intros are the best.  Here are some articles as well as a video to help. The first link is a 3 part series on rescuing and socializing feral kittens.  It has some great tips.  It shows the baby food in action.

http://www.urbancatleague.org/TamingVideo

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat

http://jacksongalaxy.com/2010/10/01/cat-to-cat-introductions/

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/the-ultimate-yet-simplified-guide-to-introducing-cats

 

lboss90 said:

Hello all!

My husband and I live on a farm and have several tame barn cats. One of our favorites, Angel, had kittens, and one of them was born with only three legs. She is absolutely adorable. She was born up in the barn and came to the house, and she is absolutely feral. She runs from us, and we have to catch her to even touch her.

Because of her special nature (having only three legs, her two front kegs and only one back leg), my husband and I are wanting to bring the kitten, which we have named Tippy, indoors. She is currently wrapped in a blanket on my lap, but I need advice on ways to tame her. She is old enough that she will eat wet food or dry food, and her mom has already weaned her. She is just so skittish that I need help. It doesn't help that I have a two year old little boy who is loud and constantly gets in her face saying "KITTY! KITTY!"

My other problem is that I have two adult indoor cats already who have no desire to have another little one in the house. How do we integrate the kitten with our two females (once she's tamer of course) Our oldest Smokey is the main problem.

Any advice would be welcome. A vet visit is in the near future I should add.

Click to expand...

Swell you are taking in Tippy.   If she doesnt has any other faults, she should manage nicely on 3 legs...  There are even succesfull threelegged hunters...

Re the fostering.   Sadows Rescue gave some excellent advices. 

Another tip is essentially you continue exactly what you are already doing,

wrapping her up alike a burrito in a soft towel.  And carry her at your chest, so she hears your heart.  And you  talking friendly, making nice noises, singing softly if you can and wish...

Half an hour, perhaps even a full hour if she doesnt wriggle too much...

After a couple of such sessions its essentially done.    Its a little as the american routine of "breaking in" a horse, although much much milder - but practically as effective.

Btw, exactly how old is she?   This works best before they are 9 weeks, but can be tried also later, even with adults if they let you.

And, if its possible for you, please consider to spay as many of your barn cats you can.  Unless you DO want a litter of them now and then - it demands a little planning if such a case.

Thank you all for the wonderful advice! So far she has adjusted to life inside very well. We set her up in one of our bathrooms with an old pillow covered in an old towel, a small litter box, and a food and water bowl. She has magically litter trained herself (which is a huge plus for us!) and she will let us come up to her and pet her. She even purrs! She still is very skittish around loud noises but she has even warmed up to my son.

As per her age, I am honestly not sure. I will attempt to upload a photo on her so that way some more experienced cat owners can give me a good idea. She is old enough that she was weaned. My vet was out of town the past few days, and as we live in a small town (population 1500) I had to wait until he got back. I plan on calling first thing in the morning.

As for spaying the two barn cats, it has been discussed with my husband. We maybe get a litter of kittens a year and they all go to loving homes. I will look into finding a rescue that would spay them for less than my local hometown vet, as let's face it, it's expensive!

I have kept Tippy away from Smokey and Bandit (my two 'old ladies') and once Tippy has a clean bill of health we will slowly start the introduction process. I know itll be hard, as we have had both Smokey and Bandit since they were kittens as well and have grown up together. Its going to be a long process, but I know I'm up to it.

Here is our girl

What a little sweetie!  I would guess on 7-8 weeks, so this Burrito method should be succesfull.   Alike most other methods of socializing.

She may proceed to be little shy and vary, but iits no real problem.  My oldest resident is such a shy cat (although wonderful family cat) although properly home bred.   He is almost exactly like most of fostered ex-semiferales.   Which leds me to think,  these fostered ex-semiferales arent behaving shyly and vary because they are ex-semiferales, but essentially - because they are shy...   Which I dont see as a real problem, as said.