How to approach a feral kitten.

Hi, I just registered in this site because I need help with a feral kitten. I think the kitten is 2 to 3 months old and is living in our yard for about 10 days. So I started feeding this cat for a week. At first he was just running and hiding and was eating only when I was far from him. Now he is eating in front of me but I can't be very close to him. He also started meowing yesterday when I bring food for him. I don't know if this is a progress or not and should I continue feeding him. I can have this cat as a pet but at first I need to get him vaccinated and neutered but he is not coming close. Can you give me an advice on what to do next? Should I continue feeding him and wait till he comes close? Is there any hope he will become a normal pet?

Annna9 said:

 
Hi, I just registered in this site because I need help with a feral kitten. I think the kitten is 2 to 3 months old and is living in our yard for about 10 days. So I started feeding this cat for a week. At first he was just running and hiding and was eating only when I was far from him. Now he is eating in front of me but I can't be very close to him. He also started meowing yesterday when I bring food for him. I don't know if this is a progress or not and should I continue feeding him. I can have this cat as a pet but at first I need to get him vaccinated and neutered but he is not coming close. Can you give me an advice on what to do next? Should I continue feeding him and wait till he comes close? Is there any hope he will become a normal pet?

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Thank you for wanting to help this little kitten.  You will need to get a hold of a humane trap.  This will be the easiest and safest way to catch the kitten and transport him to the vet.  You can try contacting humane societies or even some vets allow you to borrow them.  Maybe a friend has one.  Since the kitten is hungry it should be pretty easy to catch him in the trap.  You lure the kitten inside with food in the back of the trap.

Some people have luck luring the kitten into a carrier, but you have to be nearby to quickly close the door.  Others have tied a very long rope to the carrier door and pulled the string to close the trap once the kitten is inside.  You lure the kitten inside with food. 

Since me may be feral, you want to maximize your time to bring him inside and get him socialized.  The more time he spends outside the harder it will be.  Do your best to get a trap or try the carrier method.

Hi @Annna9  Welcome to The Cat Site.

Thank you for helping this little guy. Yes, he will make an absolutely great pet. Nearly all of my cats started off as feral kittens. They tend to be a little skittish at first but with patience they become very loving and trusting. It's such a good feeling when you win them over.

As ShadowsRescue has said, trapping him in a humane trap is the easiest way to bring him in. The best thing to do is take him to the vets as soon as you trap him so he can be neutered and treated for fleas and worms before you bring him home. Call around and see if you can find a vet that has experience of dealing with semi-feral cats and explain what you want to do. Some vets have their own humane traps they will let you borrow.

You also need to set up a safe room for him to stay in while he adjusts to life indoors. It can take about a month for them to get used to it. You need to make sure he can't get out through any doors or windows and you'll need to block off any hiding spots so he doesn't disappear in the room. It's sometimes easier to keep a cat crated at first.

Let us know how you get on, we're here to help if we can.

Annna9 said:

 
Hi, I just registered in this site because I need help with a feral kitten. I think the kitten is 2 to 3 months old and is living in our yard for about 10 days. So I started feeding this cat for a week. At first he was just running and hiding and was eating only when I was far from him. Now he is eating in front of me but I can't be very close to him. He also started meowing yesterday when I bring food for him. I don't know if this is a progress or not and should I continue feeding him. I can have this cat as a pet but at first I need to get him vaccinated and neutered but he is not coming close. Can you give me an advice on what to do next? Should I continue feeding him and wait till he comes close? Is there any hope he will become a normal pet?

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Yes, if you work on it he will be an excellent pet.  The only question is if he will be a little shy of visitors or be completely socialized.  For for you and your nearest family he will be an excellent pet...

You had a good beginning, if you take him inside it will go even more sure.

Hi. Thank you very much for responding.  I tried to find a trap to catch her but couldn't . So during all these time since my first post I continued feeding this kitten which turned out to be a female. Now she is following me all the time and let me touch her. Soon I will take her to a vet to get all the vaccinations and sterilization. She is just too shy with my family members but I really hope this will also change.

I also want to add that sometimes she is hissing for no reason. She is not being aggressive, she is just making that strange sound for a second and then approaching me. She hasn't hissed for the last two days but do you think this is strange behavior? What can the hissing mean?

Hissing can be a warning - she wants to make sure you knows she's big and bad and will not tolerate bad behavior on your part.  

Many times, it simply means they're nervous and want everyone on their best behavior.  Approach her slowly, speak softly to her and she should come around.

We have a cat who has been in the house for ten years.  He hisses if he encounters us in the hallway or is startled in any way.  For him, it is his way of letting us know he's upset.  He is our gentlest cat and is the one who will mediate whenever any of the other cats fuss at one another.

Thank you for helping her!