Looking for socializing tips

theyremine

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Messages
348
Purraise
439
Location
MA
One week ago I decided to foster 4  8 week old feral kittens.  They were brought to me from an area an hour and a half away in the back of a truck.  (That area has no TNR programs and the state "humane" society there is a kill shelter).  A man had been feeding the mom and then the kittens and needed help.   The shelter I volunteer for said they would help but all fostering homes were filled.  (We're all volunteer, home based.)  Although I failed at my last attempt at fostering;( I kept them), I agreed to help.

My first attempt was two ferals,  trapped at 41/2 months old and very sickly.  Unsocialized still at 6 months, I decided to foster them. One was scared to death and her brother (her protector) was quite aggressive, attacking if you came too close to either of them.   A year and a half later they are very loving cats BUT bonded only to me.

I have never had kittens as young as these new fosters.  They seemed to accept me pretty fast.  No one was  aggressive, just some hissing.  At this point they are still caged and all will eat baby food from my fingers.  They hiss when I try to pet them, but will play and eat when I'm with them.  I know the next step is to pet/touch them and then start to pick them up but ... I seem to have hit a roadblock.  Ideas?   I feel I am under pressure because I know they are more adoptable the younger they are.   And yes, they are scheduled to be neutered/spayed. 
 

ondine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
5,312
Purraise
780
Location
Burlington, North Carolina
They are actually the perfect age for socializing.  Old enough to be aware and young enough to learn.  I would spend as much time as I could with them.  You can sit and read out loud to them or sing to them.  Whatever you do, talk to them in an ordinary voice - a little sing-song maybe.  Describe what you're doing or just tell them silly stories.

Getting used to your voice and your presence will help them recognize you aren't going to hurt them, although being the bringer of food does that, too. 


If there is one who is a little friendlier or curious, you can start by working with him or her.  Don't rush anything - no matter how hurried the schedule may seem, nothing will set them back faster than being hurried.

Good for you for stepping up here.  I'm a failed fosterer, too, and am sometimes afraid to try again!
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,995
Purraise
10,640
Location
Sweden
 
One week ago I decided to foster 4  8 week old feral kittens.  They were brought to me from an area an hour and a half away in the back of a truck.  (That area has no TNR programs and the state "humane" society there is a kill shelter).  A man had been feeding the mom and then the kittens and needed help.   The shelter I volunteer for said they would help but all fostering homes were filled.  (We're all volunteer, home based.)  Although I failed at my last attempt at fostering;( I kept them), I agreed to help.

My first attempt was two ferals,  trapped at 41/2 months old and very sickly.  Unsocialized still at 6 months, I decided to foster them. One was scared to death and her brother (her protector) was quite aggressive, attacking if you came too close to either of them.   A year and a half later they are very loving cats BUT bonded only to me.

I have never had kittens as young as these new fosters.  They seemed to accept me pretty fast.  No one was  aggressive, just some hissing.  At this point they are still caged and all will eat baby food from my fingers.  They hiss when I try to pet them, but will play and eat when I'm with them.  I know the next step is to pet/touch them and then start to pick them up but ... I seem to have hit a roadblock.  Ideas?   I feel I am under pressure because I know they are more adoptable the younger they are.   And yes, they are scheduled to be neutered/spayed. 
A tip is not to touch them yourself, but with something of wood, a  spoon made of wood is idealic.  Wood? Because it feels warm and almost soft  to touch.

Using a tooth brush to brush them with is also good, it feels like moms washing.    Or even, a bigger brush, cloth brush type, and brush off them the whole body, in soft but yet decisive strokes over the whole body, neck to tail... You may keep on with it several minutes.

Playing with a Da Bird or similiar with them, is popular.  You can engage everyone at once. Or just some who wants to participate...

A radical but useful tip, is to wrap in the kitten alike a burrito in a soft towel.  so wrapped up they get immobilized, and tend to cease any resistance.

And you carry the kitten at your chest. Where it feels your warmth and heart beats.

You talk softly, sing softly if you can, make friendly crooning noises...   Half an hour, a whole hour...   As long as they dont start to fight vigorously, if they do, cease, and take it in smaller portions.

After a couple of such sessions the deed is done. They are socialized.

Its a little as the american way of "breaking in" a horse.   Although a thousand times more friendly and sympathetic.   Quite efficient.

Used preferably on young kittens, but may be tried with older cats too.

The idea from beginning suggested and used by Catwoman707, although I did buyed it wholeheartly.  :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

theyremine

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Messages
348
Purraise
439
Location
MA
Thank you Ondine and StefanZ for your tips.   I'm going to try some this afternoon.   It's nice just to have ideas to try.

Had a break thru this morning.  The largest (and bravest) of the kittens allowed me to pet her this morning without hissing and actually purred!  The smallest kitten (half the size but second bravest) has allowed me to pet him after a little hiss and then actually fallen asleep.  Today when he heard his sibling purring he actually came looking to be pet.  One other watched with interest and the other withdrew into the "tent" bed. I'm most interested in trying the wood or brush on those two.

Of course, after I cleaned the cage and tried to give goodbye pets, I got the old hiss! lol
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

theyremine

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Messages
348
Purraise
439
Location
MA
Thank you ShadowsRescue for your input. I have watched the video  and found it quite helpful.

Update: I now can pick up all four kittens and three purr as I pet them.  The fourth, the runt of the litter, just falls asleep.

Hopefully, the last kitten of the litter will be trapped soon before the window for socialization closes. 
 

sara hmdan

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Mar 26, 2015
Messages
14
Purraise
1
I failed in my several attempts to socialize. Whenever I try to pet the bravest one he would run or when I pick him up he attacks. It gets worse with each week. These days, as soon as he sees my hand he tries to escape knowing that I'll hold him. I gave up already..  
 
 

StefanZ

Advisor
Staff Member
Advisor
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
25,995
Purraise
10,640
Location
Sweden
 
I failed in my several attempts to socialize. Whenever I try to pet the bravest one he would run or when I pick him up he attacks. It gets worse with each week. These days, as soon as he sees my hand he tries to escape knowing that I'll hold him. I gave up already..  
 
Yeah, its not easy.  The ideal is they themselves come to you.

The only exception is when they are very young, as time is of importance...   And there is the tip of wrapping them up, etc...
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

theyremine

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Messages
348
Purraise
439
Location
MA
Sorry to hear of your problems Sara,   How old are your kittens?   My other feral kittens were older (trapped at 4 and a half months and came to me at 6 months) and it took a very long time.   To this day (2 years old+)  I can only pick up the female a short  height and I only pick up the male by scruffing for vet visits.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

theyremine

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Messages
348
Purraise
439
Location
MA
Thanks for all your support.  My kittens were vetted today and evaluated for socialization and were given high marks!  We still need to work on picking them up from the floor (3 still aren't comfortable with it). but they are almost there!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11

theyremine

TCS Member
Thread starter
Alpha Cat
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Messages
348
Purraise
439
Location
MA
Thanks for all your support.   Two kittens were adopted at 13 weeks and are living the dream with their "mom" and new" sister", a Golden Retriever whom they adore.  She keeps me updated weekly.

The last two kittens  (now 17 weeks) are going  to their new home this weekend. 

I miss them, but feel content knowing they all have good homes where they are loved and well cared for.  (Our shelter has a very stringent adoption process and foster moms also get last say on adoptions.   I refused 2 applicants)
 
Top