hello I am new here and am seeking advice .. I found a couple of kittens in a bush living wild. 1 is about 12 weeks Loki and the other is about 8 to 10 weeks Jatt. I cat trapped them and Jatt climbed out my bathroom window and is now living in my garden I am feeding him regularly and he is used to me to a point and will come within about a foot of me whilst feeding. Should I trap him and bring him inside with Loki or leave him out the front and hope he eventually becomes part of our family in the real sense of the word like coming inside for shelter and having cuddles from us I am worried about him living outside its either really hot here at the moment or really cold.. I can tell by his scratching he has fleas.. My father in law says leave him out and eventually he will come in but I am torn as I think if he was handled he would come along quicker and be safer and I could get him to a vet. Please your opinion .. The other kitten Loki is a little older and progress with him is slower but he is eating from my hand now .. I keep him in the bathroom as he is still to feral to be let out and his temperament is a lot more wary and reserved than Jatt. Any advice appreciated
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Feral kittens 1 in my bathroom 1 outside my home
- Thread starter timtam
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Its better you get him inside. A young kitten alone outside is also practically defenceless if there is any trouble. So let the idea of having him as your outside kitty be your last line of defence, and try to coach him inside as soon you can. Have him at first somewhere where its easy to clean, as he is flea infested..
Im glad you found out how to start a tread!
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I agree he should be trapped sooner! It's dangerous out there, and kittens as young as 4 months can get pregnant. A vet visit is a very good idea, even if they don't trust you completely yet. I think it's much better for them to get the vet visit over with as soon as possible so any parasites or medical issues can be dealt with sooner rather than later, and also they may not like the vet or the medicine, but they will notice that they start to feel better and associate that with being inside and cared for. And then, you've gotten the dreaded vet visit over with and can really work on getting them used to people without any interruptions.
Good for you for doing this! They will be very grateful!
Good for you for doing this! They will be very grateful!
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- #5
Hi guys I caught Jatt last night .. So have 1 kitty in each bathroom we are off to the vet this morning. Once Jatt has been checked and any issues he/she has resolved should I put Jatt with the older kitten Loki. They were in the same bush together were I rescued them from. Loki is coming around slowly and last night I put some cat food on my finger and he did the strangest thing and reached out with his paw and claws out onto my finger he then held it for a moment and retracted his claws and then left his paw on my finger then after about a minute or two he pulled his paw away and licked the food off his paw .. Very soon I kept doing it and then he was licking the cat foot from my fingers. I have fed him quite often chicken from my hand but in some way this connection with the paw felt different .. I think Jatt will come around quickly but Loki is taking more time.. I have tried to get him interested in playing with a little mouse toy but so far he isn't interested any suggestions on any bonding games this little cutie that may help him lighten up a little more.
Wonderful! It sounds like Loki is curious and trying to figure you out, which is great! The cat food was smart, because he has to lick that off your finger rather than just take it from your hand, and that helps him bond with you a bit. You can keep doing that to get him really familiar with human hands. He might get more playful when he's dewormed and feeling better. You can try using toys that create a bit of distance between you and the toy to make him feel more comfortable, like a wand toy or a long ribbon. One game that became a big hit with my former feral kitten was to place a towel or sheet over something and wiggle the object around. Seeing the little bump moving underneath the fabric would make him go nuts!
If you haven't tried petting him already, when you do start with gently stroking him with the end of a wand toy or something similar, and then you can graduate to using one finger. You can pet him in small strokes with your finger starting at the tip of his nose backwards, which is similar to how a mother kitten grooms her kittens and makes them feel calm and safe. I do this with my 5 year old cat sometimes to calm her down, and it works like a charm.
It makes sense that Loki is more reserved because he is older and closer to the end of the optimal socializing age, but it still sounds like he's doing great. Don't be worried if it feels like things are progressing slowly. Cats typically take their time when learning to trust someone.
If you haven't tried petting him already, when you do start with gently stroking him with the end of a wand toy or something similar, and then you can graduate to using one finger. You can pet him in small strokes with your finger starting at the tip of his nose backwards, which is similar to how a mother kitten grooms her kittens and makes them feel calm and safe. I do this with my 5 year old cat sometimes to calm her down, and it works like a charm.
It makes sense that Loki is more reserved because he is older and closer to the end of the optimal socializing age, but it still sounds like he's doing great. Don't be worried if it feels like things are progressing slowly. Cats typically take their time when learning to trust someone.
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I agree and think that if they are handled they will come around quicker and indoor is much safer. Get them to the vet for any heath issues asap and get them fixed. The older cat will be slower to accept as its basically became wilder. Since you are already hand feeding it wont be long until they accept their safe warm dry home. Cats aren't dumb and once they understand and accept your help they will repay you many times over. Good luck.
ADDED: I almost forgot catnip might help them relax and warm up to you more. Are they using litter box? If not try using dirt or pine chips. The cats might not have seen litter before. you can add a top layer of dirt to the litter also. Out door cats bury there waste in dirt so they might feel more comfortable with the familiar smell.
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Oh thanks so much everyone for your advice it really means a lot to know I am on the right path.. Update on little Jatt who is so little he was brilliant at the vets and had all his worming, vaccinations and advantage flea medication administered .. Very proud of him .. Yes Jatt is a boy 
I go back in a month for his sterilisation and micro chip. I am about to put the advantage onto Loki and deworm him .. The vet is happy for me to do that at home and bring him I for his shots and sterilisation and micro chip once he has settled a little more. Wow what a little journey we are all on
I go back in a month for his sterilisation and micro chip. I am about to put the advantage onto Loki and deworm him .. The vet is happy for me to do that at home and bring him I for his shots and sterilisation and micro chip once he has settled a little more. Wow what a little journey we are all onAw, what a good boy! (Loki might get more nervous around you again because you're giving him medicine, but he will bounce back just fine.) Yes, you're going to have a lot of fun seeing how these kittens grow and learn in the next few weeks!Oh thanks so much everyone for your advice it really means a lot to know I am on the right path.. Update on little Jatt who is so little he was brilliant at the vets and had all his worming, vaccinations and advantage flea medication administered .. Very proud of him .. Yes Jatt is a boyI go back in a month for his sterilisation and micro chip. I am about to put the advantage onto Loki and deworm him .. The vet is happy for me to do that at home and bring him I for his shots and sterilisation and micro chip once he has settled a little more. Wow what a little journey we are all on
Interestingly, young kittens don't start responding to catnip until they're about 3-6 months, so if they don't like it now, you can try it again when they're older. And yes, sprinkling some dirt in the litter is a good trick!
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- #10
Hi Molly and Dr Rizk. Wow I just googled catnip I had no idea what it was .. Sounds potent and could be a good aid to use for Loki , I will try and track some down and see how it goes. Would you recommend he eats it or should I find a toy with catnip in it ? Maybe put some in his food? Jatt hasn't eaten all day . The vet said he may feel unwell after his shots so I suspect this is what is happening.. Poor little man , vet said he only weighed 800 grams and is about 4 or 5 months old .. I was shocked as he looks about 8 to 10 weeks old. I have put some dirt and mulch etc in his kitty litter as instead of snuggling in his comfy shoebox he is snuggling down in the cat litter! My husband laughed and said I think Jatt is a little confused about his sleeping arrangements. I had also just read your post at the time so great advice at exactly the right time. Loki has been dewormed now and had Advantage put on him .. I mixed the worm paste in his food as I didn't want to stress him and he ate it all up.. With the advantage I gently covered his head with a towel and applied the dose between his shoulder blades he was a little stressed after but nothing major, I am going to try the game with the mouse wand under the towel and see how he goes .. Let the games begin hehe
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Poor little guy! You can try offering some smelly canned tuna or baby food if he's still not eating. Gerber or Beechnut brands in the turkey or chicken flavor that come in the little jars are perfect for this. It's just chicken, water, and some cornstarch, so it's very mild on their stomachs, easy to lap up, and it smells very enticing. It's not nutritionally complete for everyday feeding, but it's great for getting some calories in sick kitties. I also use it to disguise medicine. If he doesn't eat for more than a day, I'd call the vet and see if he needs to be syringe fed, but hopefully he'll perk up before that.
Aw, he's not the first cat to sleep in the litter box! I guess it does seem pretty cozy when it's clean.
You can get catnip loose and spread it around on their bedding. If they like it, they'll roll around in it and just generally have a good time. Occasionally they'll chomp down on some too, which is fine. If that's a hit, then you can spend a little more for some catnip toys if you want to. There are all sorts in pet stores. (My cat's absolute favorite are anything by the Yeowwww! Catnip brand.) Or you can make your own by stuffing a sock or something similar full of catnip.
What a wonderful patient Loki is! You're taking care of him very well. He's probably underweight too, but once those parasites are gone he'll be able to gain weight quickly. You can give him as much food as he wants.
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Hello Molly I took your advice and bought catnip! I bought a spray and applied it to his mouse that is on the string .. Loki refused to acknowledge the mouse prior to any attempts at game play and would just hiss... After the application of the catnip well damn he acknowledged it alright beat the bejesus out of it .. Brutal it was! Very clear he had no idea what this toy was or what to do with it so beat it up he did! After I gave him some fresh roast chicken from my hand and left him for the night. Tonight when play time started it took about 5 to 10 minutes of him aggressing the mouse and then the play started and it was amazing Loki realised this was a toy and we were playing a game .. He rolled with it on his below, slapped it playfully, chased it , kicked it ( I think he loves the catnip) and before I knew it Loki had came out of feeling safe with just playing with it inside his cave and was leaping and rolling around right in front of my face , occasionally stopping to look at me to see what I was doing .. I just gave him cat kisses.. Great experience and thank you so much .. I know to most this wouldn't mean a lot but to me it was everything .. Just love and play and trust all rolled into one.afterwards I treated him with his favourite chicken from my hand and he came straight out and ate it up. Beautiful end to the night .. Can't wait for tomorrow night. little Jatt is doing fantastic I can hold , pet him and lay on our bed snuggling whilst he gently purrs.. My husband was tickling his tummy .. Everyone falls in love with Jatt he is just adorable. Jatt is still a little wary tho so am still treating him with kid gloves but very happy with his progress.. Eating is better but I feel he really loves being loved and loves the physical contact .. Days are so busy my time with them is limited to cleaning and shorter visits so really look forward to the longer times at night. It's wonderful to share there progress with you and get your advice .. Hope you and your pets are well and enjoy the weekend
little Jatt is doing fantastic I can hold , pet him and lay on our bed snuggling whilst he gently purrs.. My husband was tickling his tummy .. Everyone falls in love with Jatt he is just adorable. Jatt is still a little wary tho so am still treating him with kid gloves but very happy with his progress.. Eating is better but I feel he really loves being loved and loves the physical contact .. Days are so busy my time with them is limited to cleaning and shorter visits so really look forward to the longer times at night. It's wonderful to share there progress with you and get your advice .. Hope you and your pets are well and enjoy the weekend Oh my goodness how wonderful! Got to give @Dr Rizk the credit for thinking of the catnip! Loki sounds so happy, it melts my heart! And Jatt, too! These guys are getting the life they deserve now.Hello Molly I took your advice and bought catnip! I bought a spray and applied it to his mouse that is on the string .. Loki refused to acknowledge the mouse prior to any attempts at game play and would just hiss... After the application of the catnip well damn he acknowledged it alright beat the bejesus out of it .. Brutal it was! Very clear he had no idea what this toy was or what to do with it so beat it up he did! After I gave him some fresh roast chicken from my hand and left him for the night. Tonight when play time started it took about 5 to 10 minutes of him aggressing the mouse and then the play started and it was amazing Loki realised this was a toy and we were playing a game .. He rolled with it on his below, slapped it playfully, chased it , kicked it ( I think he loves the catnip) and before I knew it Loki had came out of feeling safe with just playing with it inside his cave and was leaping and rolling around right in front of my face , occasionally stopping to look at me to see what I was doing .. I just gave him cat kisses.. Great experience and thank you so much .. I know to most this wouldn't mean a lot but to me it was everything .. Just love and play and trust all rolled into one.afterwards I treated him with his favourite chicken from my hand and he came straight out and ate it up. Beautiful end to the night .. Can't wait for tomorrow night.little Jatt is doing fantastic I can hold , pet him and lay on our bed snuggling whilst he gently purrs.. My husband was tickling his tummy .. Everyone falls in love with Jatt he is just adorable. Jatt is still a little wary tho so am still treating him with kid gloves but very happy with his progress.. Eating is better but I feel he really loves being loved and loves the physical contact .. Days are so busy my time with them is limited to cleaning and shorter visits so really look forward to the longer times at night. It's wonderful to share there progress with you and get your advice .. Hope you and your pets are well and enjoy the weekend
When Loki and Jatt get more settled and have access to the whole house during the day, they'll have each other to keep them company and play with, so they'll be just fine during the day. Thank you for updating us!
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- #14
Yes a big thank you to Dr Rizk and much love to you both for your support .. We still have a ways to go but on the right track
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- #15
Just asking for some more advice .. I rescued Jatt and Loki from the same place .. I have 1 in each bathroom should I take Jatt in to see Loki .. Do you think this will help Loki adjust easier as Jatt is very loving .. Or could there be complications
I would not because they are not fixed yet. You can never be sure they are both boys, and you don't want any babies or competitive male spraying.
Post their pictures!
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- #18
thank you bone picker .. I got it this is Jatt .. He is really lovely and sweet and coming along in leaps and bounds
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