2 feral siblings

5 weeks ago I adopted 2 feral siblings, one of each sex.  The male is friendly, lets us pet and hold him, plays and is a joy to be around.  The girl will let us come within a foot of her but will not let us touch her and Hisses all the time, every time we enter the room.  They are both about 7-8 months old.  Any suggestions on how to help her not be as afraid. We both go into their room and play with them and I lay on the floor for about 1/2 hr. each day to let them get used to me.

Thanks

jan2424 said:

 
5 weeks ago I adopted 2 feral siblings, one of each sex.  The male is friendly, lets us pet and hold him, plays and is a joy to be around.  The girl will let us come within a foot of her but will not let us touch her and Hisses all the time, every time we enter the room.  They are both about 7-8 months old.  Any suggestions on how to help her not be as afraid. We both go into their room and play with them and I lay on the floor for about 1/2 hr. each day to let them get used to me.

Thanks

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If you are going spending 1/2 hour a day with them, it is going to be difficult.  You need to spend as much time as possible so they are immersed with human presence.  Even if you only visit for 5-10 minutes that is better than one long visit. 

Is the room cat proofed so that the cats cannot hide from you?  You really want them out on the open as much as possible.  A hiding box is great, but under the bed or behind large furniture is not ideal. 

Does the female seem interested when you are interacting with the male?  You often can use that to your advantage.  Also do you use food rewards?  Many cats will love tuna, salmon, plain cooked chicken or even Gerber stage 2 chicken or turkey baby food.  You want to try to win her over with food. 

Are you keeping your gaze down or looking over the top of her head?  Feral kitties don't like direct eye contact.  It is very frightening and threatening to them.

I will post a link to a video that might help.  Even though your kitties are older, some of these techniques will work.  I used them on a 7-9 month old feral with success.  Remember when working with feral cats it can be one step forward and two steps back.  It requires lots and lots of patience and lots and lots of work.  The female may never be a cuddling lap kitty, but with some work she should adjust to living inside with humans.  She many just be very shy and skittish.

It would also be helpful to know what you have tried so far?  Also are they kitties spayed/neutered?

Here is the link.  It is a 3 part video series that begins with the rescue of feral kittens.  It then progresses to their socialization.

http://www.urbancatleague.org/TamingVideo

Also an artitcle

http://bestfriends.org/resources/socializing-cats-how-socialize-very-shy-or-fearful-cat