Adopted 2 Stray Kittens

joyv

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I adopted two kittens from a rescue home that had 7 kittens and other cats not in the same room, only the kittens were. 

These two that I adopted were 11 weeks old, they had been treated for worms, eye infections and neutered, so you can 

only imagine how they do not like human contact. It has been almost 3 weeks and they still run and hide. They will

come right out when I am sitting at my desk about 2 feet away although if I flinch, they run. I talk to them all day long

I try to catch them once and a while to hold them, they are hard to catch. i have a small one bedroom apartment.

Someone told me to cage them, to not let them be so independent, I feel that would freak them out because I have 

let them go into where ever they want to hide, they come out when they want to. Tonight, I bought these calm drops

to put in their water and food. They ingested a bit, went into my closet and for the first time, Mason the little one with

the white nose, actually let me pet him without freaking out, he actually purred. The other one Lucas with the brown nose

was very sleepy, so he did not care either way, lol. They come out and play at night all over my apartment when my boyfriend

and I are sleeping then sleep all day. I was getting very upset and was thinking about taking them back because I felt that

they were never going to come around. Now, I think that it is best to let them trust me on their own. Let's face it, they are now

almost 14 weeks now. to train them in a cage I feel is too late. So, I am going to let them come to me eventually on their own.

I might be wrong, although I think it is best. Think of having your freedom then being locked up. I want them to trust me not 

scare them more. 

If anyone disagrees, please feel free to give your opinion.

I had 4 cats, that lived 15, 17, 20 and 21 years. I know about cats. When they were kittens I had them 

when they were babies, so I never went through this before.

Thank you
 

shadowsrescue

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Take a look at this video.  It has some awesome tips.  It starts with the rescue of the feral kittens and moves onto their socialization.  I used many of the tips when socializing a 7 month old feral.  The Gerber baby food as well as the petter on a stick are awesome tools.  I made a pet petter by using an old wand toy.  I wrapped an old clean sock around one end and then covered the end with soft flannel.  I just used duct tape to secure it.  The longer the wand the better.  I would start by using it to play.  Once the kitten was interested I could start to touch the kitten with it.  He learned to enjoy touch with the petter.  I would gradually shorten the length of the petter by drawing the end closer to my body.  You also can add a bit of catnip to the end.  Here is the video link and I will pictures of the petter below.

The link to their site is not working right now, but here are the videos from youtube.


 
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joyv

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Wow, thank you very much for taking the time to post this information for me. My kitty's are coming around, although they are still touch shy. Mason will actually rub against my legs when it is feeding time, oh he will not eat wet cat food at call. Lucas will eat anything. They hang out in the same room, sleep on the bed with me while I am sleeping only, as soon as I wake up to get up, there they go, they jump right off the bed.

It is taking a really long time. I will watch the video. Thank you so much again. Now, any advice on feeding Mason now ..He loves fresh chicken, tilapia and shrimp. The fish is only a treat far an few.

I will check back. 

Happy Holidays
 

shadowsrescue

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As for feeding Mason, have you tried many different types of cat food?  There are pate, chunky, cutlets, etc..  He may prefer the type that has chunks of meat in it.  I would keep trying to see if you can find one he likes.  You also could try adding a bit of fresh chicken on top of the wet food as a topper to see if he will eat it then.  
 
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