Feral 3.5 month foster

amanda barry

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Sep 21, 2015
Messages
1
Purraise
1
I am currently fostering a 3.5 month old kitten. He was fostered as a newborn with the rest of his siblings who have since been adopted. He spent all of his time at the Humane Society curled up in a cat condo (out of choice). It was difficult to get him in the carrier. He seemed to enjoy other cats, but bringing another cat home wasn't brought up when we discussed fostering him. I could see him doing better with another cat (he meows all night and seems lonely) but I don't want to risk it either. Ideas?

I brought him home, and he doesn't have any real desire to leave his carrier. He uses his litter box and gets food occasionally, usually when no one is home. I sit next to his cage and talk to him a lot. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to how to help him be more comfortable and how to socialize him.

I currently have a little set up for him in the corner of our dining room, with his bed in his carrier so that he has a safe place. He is able to go anywhere downstairs in the house. Should I give him a smaller area to  explore to begin with?

Thank you for your help!
 

shadowsrescue

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 27, 2011
Messages
7,023
Purraise
5,084
Location
Ohio
It would be best if he had a room of his own that is kitten proof.  If you use a spare room, but sure to put the bed flat on the floor or pick it up as he will run under and hide there making it so difficult to get him out.  Also block behind furniture.  Cats especially kittens can squeeze into very tiny places.  Even a bathroom might be a good place for him.  When you allow him to have run of your home so early, it will make him very anxious.  He needs to first get used to his new surroundings as well as work on socialization.  So if you have a spot, a space of his own would be best.

As for socializing, use yummy food to your advantage.  A favorite is Gerber stage 2 chicken or turkey baby food.  It is found in a small glass jar with a blue label.  The ingredients are turkey/chicken and water only.  No added sugar or spices.  You can start by offering a bit on a plate so that he knows how yummy it is.  Next move to having him eat it off a spoon and finally licking it off your fingers.  I will post a 3 part video series that shows some tips on socializing feral kittens.  It start with their rescue, but has it has a lot of food tips.  I have used many of these tips on much older ferals.  Just be sure to use the baby food as a tool only, not as a meal replacement.

Try to engage him in some easy play.  A shoe string is partially hidden under a blanket is often a good first start.  Small fuzzy mice are often enjoyed too. 

http://www.urbancatleague.org/TamingVideo
 

kittychick

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jul 2, 2013
Messages
1,611
Purraise
1,960
Location
Ohio
Definitely a smaller space to start with should help, as ShadowsRescue laid out. He's probably even more anxious with the larger available space (I know it seems odd). But start him out in a smaller area - VERY kitten proofed (even block under dressers, behind stereos etc). The more you "force" contact (to a certain extent) the better. You've definitely got the right idea with the talking, etc. It helps to leave something to "talk" (either talk radio or a tv on low) on all the time when you're not there to talk to him.

Be patient and good luck!
 
Top