Just Adopted a Feral Kitten, looking for support and advice

A friend of mine recently discovered a colony of feral cats living behind her apartment, and she has been working with a local group to trap, neuter/spay, vaccinate, and then either release or adopt them out.  After having wanted to adopt a cat for a while now and seeing all of the kittens she has been adopting out, I decided to adopt one.  I've never been a pet parent, and I didn't grow up around animals, so this is a really new experience for me.  

The kitten I've adopted is 12 weeks old.  I took him in on Friday evening, the same day he was neutered and vaccinated.  He was trapped and separated from his mom on Thurdsay.  He's all black and I've named him Binx.  He seems to be doing really well with the adjustment, from all of the things I've been reading online, but it's still definitely a huge learning process for the both of us.  

I've been trying to spend as much time sitting in his safe room (the bathroom) and just working on my laptop or reading or that kind of thing.  I've also been playing music and podcasts on a low volume to try and help him get used to hearing human voices.  I leave dry food and water in with him all the time, but I only give him wet food when I'm around.  Yesterday I was working with him with baby food and he licked the food off of my finger and allowed me to pet him (very gently) while he was eating.  

He's started to play with the toys I've brought in (a little fish with catnip) and a thing on a string toy, but will only do so by himself, not if I try to play with him.  I figure this is normal, because he's still incredibly afraid of me.  

It's hard, because he seems to flip back and forth between comfort and discomfort so easily.  One moment he's licking food off my finger and the next day he won't come out from behind the toilet for food even if I sit away from it.  Today was a harder day.  He seemed very afraid of me compared to last night, and I was worried we had taken some steps back.  But just now I thought to turn off the lights in the room, and all of the sudden he became much more comfortable.  He started walking around the room, didn't hide when I had to adjust how I was sitting, and even came up right alongside me to watch my type and swatted at the computer screen and the laptop keys.  He is currently batting at my toes with his paws

I'm planning on keeping the lights off from now on, maybe getting a very low nightlight so that I don't step in his water dish or anything  If I keep him in the dark now while he is adjusting to me, and living indoors, will he have trouble adjusting to lights later, or will he do just fine when the time comes to transition?

Are there any other tips like turning the lights off that might immediately make him more comfortable?

And do you have any tips for teeth and claws?  I'm trying to not be scared by the fact that they're around (and look sharp).  So far he's not gotten rough with me.  His teeth rubbed against my finger while he was licking the food off, but he didn't bite down, and I can feel his claws when he bats his paw against my foot but they haven't dug in or broken my skin or anything, just caught on my sock.  It's really unnerving for me, but I'm trying to keep calm so that I don't make a sudden move and startle him.  Should I be taking any precautions against him scratching or biting me for the time being, or since he hasn't tried to scratch/bite me yet should I not be concerned about this?  

Anyway... I'm really excited about the whole process of getting comfortable with each other, and I'm just looking for advice from others who have experience working with feral kittens.

Ceruleiasaurus,

Welcome to TCS and thank you for adopting this feral kitten.

Since he is new to you and you are new to him, best way is not to make loud noises and sudden moves when you are around or near him. It's good that you are playing soft music and letting him hear human voices on low volume. But best is your own soft caring voice. Speak softly and lovingly to him and if not just sit near him and read a book to him. Let him get use to your presence and your voice so that he won't find you as a threat to him.
It's also good that he is playing the toys you bought him even though he's playing by himself, it means that he has some confidence in the surroundings. Spend more time playing with him and if he dosen't come out to play with you, it's ok. Just try again later.
I would at least have the night light on so that it won't startle him if you suddenly turn on the main light and he'll feel more comfortable and secure with some lights on rather than in darkness. You don't him to loose confidence and always hide in darkness.
It's good to hear that now he's at your laptop swatting at the screen and biting your toes this shows that he has gain much more confidence in you. Let him wander in the house and let him own the place but make sure your house is cat safe.
Kittens have sharp teeth and claws. Keep your hands away from him while playing with him and do not use your hands as a toy. Always have a toy nearby to distract him if he starts biting your hands and just say no firmly and remove your hands.
It takes awhile to get use to each other as long as you love him and be patience. Never shout at him or beat him.
Do post photos of him for us to see

Thank you for rescuing this sweet little one.  Here is a great video series on the capture and socialization of feral kittens.  There are a lot of great tips in this video.

http://www.urbancatleague.org/TamingVideo

You might want to consider moving him into a room that's larger than a bathroom, preferably your bedroom, where he can get used to being around you more, and where he can have more space to play. He might just cozy up to you on your bed. The feral kitten I took in 8 months ago feels the most comfortable with me when we're on the bed together--I can pet her and pick her up and kiss her--but she's still skittish around me in other parts of the house. When you're on the bed with kitty, you're on the same level.  Also, you might want to get a laser toy--kittens can't resist them. It will provide positive interactive play between you. Keep trying to encourage her to play with a wand toy. Once she catches on, she'll enjoy it. It's easy to bond with feral kittens by playing with them. The fact that she licks food from your hand after only a few days shows great progress!

Thanks for the advice!  I've moved Binx into my bedroom now.  I don't think he was very happy about the move - he's been hiding under my bed since I brought him in, and I'm sure he didn't like getting lured into his carrier and brought somewhere strange... I hope he warms up to me again though.

I've been reading a lot and seeing people in some threads suggesting taking a more active approach to socializing fearl kittens.  Grabbing/scruffing them and wrapping them up in a towel and holding them close to your chest.  Is this only for younger kittens?  Is it a bad idea?  Is it a good idea (if he ever lets me get close enough to grab him by the scruff any time soon)?  

Also he is still quite skinny from living on the street.  I worry about him not having enough flesh there or me hurting him if I try to pick him up by the scruff.  I've also not felt comfortable leaving him too long without food (to help get him hungry and pressure him to come closer to me/let me touch him if I have food) because I want him to gain a little weight first.  

Anyway... here's hoping he manages okay with the change of scenery.

I personally would never, and have never, scruffed or toweled a feral kitten burito style. I don't believe it's necessary to overpower a kitten in order to socialize, and you're right, it would scare him and set you back with trust. You've only had him less than a week--give him time. You will win him over with love and patience. It will be rewarding to you the first time he allows you to pet him because he wants you too. With regard to food, I recommend you leave out a bowl of kitten chow 24/7 so he can eat as much as he wants, abd also offer canned food mixed with a little water a few times a day. Has he been de-wormed? It takes time for a malnourished cat to gain weight, this is normal. He will adjust to your bedroom in a few days.

Ceruleiasaurus said:

 
Thanks for the advice!  I've moved Binx into my bedroom now.  I don't think he was very happy about the move - he's been hiding under my bed since I brought him in, and I'm sure he didn't like getting lured into his carrier and brought somewhere strange... I hope he warms up to me again though.

I've been reading a lot and seeing people in some threads suggesting taking a more active approach to socializing fearl kittens.  Grabbing/scruffing them and wrapping them up in a towel and holding them close to your chest.  Is this only for younger kittens?  Is it a bad idea?  Is it a good idea (if he ever lets me get close enough to grab him by the scruff any time soon)?  

Also he is still quite skinny from living on the street.  I worry about him not having enough flesh there or me hurting him if I try to pick him up by the scruff.  I've also not felt comfortable leaving him too long without food (to help get him hungry and pressure him to come closer to me/let me touch him if I have food) because I want him to gain a little weight first.  

Anyway... here's hoping he manages okay with the change of scenery.

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While I sometimes do suggest the burrito method, I dont believe in this letting them be hungry to force them into coming near.  They see anyway its you whom is coming with food, no?  So, instead give small portions but come more often, so there will be more occasions for interaaction.    If you wanna play dirty tricks, a better one is to have your leaving smell  and scent on some tissue, and have this tissue at the food place.  Connecting your smell and scent with food...   A yet better try may be to have your smell on some fleece.  Fleece is comfortable for them, feels alike mommas fur.   Do not deprieve them from a common towel or blanket to lay on, but if he wants some luxurey and takes the fleece - he must accept your smell too...

Scruffing works if you must handle them, but its no good way to socialize as such.

Do talk friendly a lot, and make friendly noises.  Its a good cat language.

But always leave dry food out, particularly kitten chow, for him to eat because he's only 12 weeks old and small.

I've been leaving out kitten chow all the time and feeding him small amounts of wet food throughout the day (2-4 times, depending on my schedule and whether he'll eat it).  SInce I've moved him into the bedroom he hasn't eaten any wet food I've brought in, but I heard him eating dry food last night while I was in bed, so i know he's still eaten.  He's probably just still scared from the move.  

One thing I'm concerned about is that I need to visit my family for several weeks in December/January, and I already have plane tickets for the trip.  I don't want to leave him with cat sitters so long right when he's started to trust me.  I can fly him with me, but I was hoping to get him comfortable enough with me holding him before the trip, because when flying with a kitten you need to carry them through a metal detector at security while they scan his carrier.  

Is it the wrong choice to bring him to a new place with me over leaving him in the same place with sitters and/or finding someone to board him?  Should I try to scruff him to accelerate him feelign comfortable beign handled?  Should I sedate him to keep him more comfortable?  

What's the right thing to do?  Does anyone have experience traveling with a feral kitten?

This kitten has been through quite a few changes in a small amount of time.  I have never adopted a feral kitten but I have a friend who has experience socializing feral kittens and she has someone come to the house to check on the kittens if she has to to travel.  I called and asked her about traveling with your kitten and she told me it would not be a good idea to try it.  She also said she would not board a feral kitten.  She mentioned that she would find a cat sitter who at least has experience with shy or scared kittens.  It would be even better if you could find a cat sitter who has experience with feral kittens if it is possible in your area.  

I would allow the kitten to get more comfortable with being in the bedroom and being around you first.  It would be a good idea to introduce the kitten to the cat-sitter in your presence.  Ideally you would want the kitten to already know he is safe with the cat-sitter just like he is you.   My friend does not do cat-sitting as a business but she cat-sits for my cats when I travel.  

Actually, I find it more effective if the kittens run out of food for awhile and then I show up with wet food.  After they eat the wet, they can have some crunchy dry, but that's dessert, and when I leave, I take all the dishes out with me.  They now associate me with food and all greet me at the door instead of running and hiding.  Two are allowing themselves to be handled, one even likes it and cuddles and purrs, and the others tolerate it but I do have to sneak up on them and scruff gently just while pinning them so they can't run, but they do relax when picked up.  I sit in a chair with one for a few minutes, rubbing ears, petting the top of the head like mama cat licking it.  Once kitten is calm and relaxed, I put it down again.  It runs, washes off the touch, but then gets right back into playing or eating (there are 4 here right now).  When they first arrived, trapped and terrified, the best medicine of all was the big black cat I ended up taking in the same day.  He loved the kittens and he loves people, and he acted like a bridge and showed them humans were OK.  Would you consider getting another totally tame domestic cat or kitten as company for him?

I would leave him home with a cat sitter. Making that trip and being around unfamiliar people and places would be too much for him, and if he got loose at the airport, you would have a tough time getting him back. He survived being outside before he was trapped, he'll survive in your house a few weeks.

I figured out a way to shorten my trip, so I can leave him home with a cat sitter, but only for a few days, so I feel more comfortable with that.  Thanks for the advice.  I was definitely reaching too far hoping I could fly with him, especially so soon.  

I've thought about the concept of getting another (totally tame) cat, but that doesn't really seem like a responsible choice right now.  I already just jumped in adopting one cat and i feel like it wouldn't be very responsible to adopt another.  I thought about fostering but I'm not sure that's a good idea eaither... I wouldn't want him to bond with another cat and then separate them again.  Also I'm not sure a shelter would even want me fostering since, until I took in Binx, I had no experience taking care of cats...

On a positive note, he ate wet food out of a spoon while I was holding it, so it seems like he's getting back into the groove of things  My bedroom is big enough for me to lie down on the floor (He's currently hiding under my bed) so I can get down on his level and probably seem a bit less scary.  

I will post pictures at some point, but now with him under the bed and me trying to keep the lights dim so he's comfortable, and of course him being an all black cat... those would be some pretty lousy pics

It sounds like you're taking great care of him and are making good progress. It took about 3 weeks for the last feral kitten I took in to eat with me sitting a few feet away from him, so the fact that your kitty is eating out of a spoon you're holding after less than a week is encouraging. Adopting an adult cat from a shelter might be something to consider. Feral cats are usually more comfortable with other cats than humans. Your kitty is also probably missing his siblings and might enjoy the company of another cat. It would be more for you to take on another cat now, but something you might consider if the opportunity arises, or the cat gods send another one your way lol.

Oh he sounds wonderful, and you for adopting him. I had good results using fish flakes for treats (they are bagged treats at pet stores), sitting in the room and putting some on the floor to have my kitty come near and nearer to me, and hand feeding some. Or some other kind of really good smelling treats- a few times a day, me sitting on the floor in the room. Yes need pictures!

Any tips on what to do when a kitten starts to treat your hand like a toy?  Binx has started to come up and gently bat at my hand or... nip at it? (i don't think nip is the right word, he puts his teeth around my finger without biting down), and I pull it out and he keeps batting at it with his paw (no claws out).  He seems to know not to do anything that could scratch me, but I've heard that it's a bad idea to let kittens play with your hand this way.  When I try to engage him with a toy instead he gets scared again.  Sometimes he plays with toys alone, but never with me.  Is there a way to encourage him to play with me that's not playing with my hand?  Or should I let him play just to get used to me?  

People have told me that some kittens are actually more driven by play and interaction than food.  I didn't think Binx was like this at first, but i think it's just because he was so scared of me.  I've started lying on the floor beside my bed (where he's been hiding) and turning my laptop screen towards him while I watch movies.  He'll come up and put his paws on the screen and play with the keys.  He seems very curious and mesmerized by the pictures.  He also seems to love playing on his own when he's comfortable.  Any ideas for other ways to entertain him that aren't threatening?  Also... can cats recognize images on a screen?  if I show him a video of cats will he react to it?

It sounds like he is testing out your hands to see if they are safe. Feral cats are very distrustful and fearful of hands. With my last feral kitten I socialized, she used to scratch and attack anyone who put their hand near her. She tore everyone up at the vet clinic she was at for 5 days. Eventually when I held my hand near her, she'd bat at it without the claws to see what would happen. I'd hold still and let her bat away. Sometime after that I could hold her tail when she was on the bed. Then I was able to pet the rest of her. Feral kittens are a little different than domesticated kittens and it takes them a while to realize hands are safe, so I would give it more time. And I don't think they recognize images on the TV but they sometimes respond to the sounds.

I think Binx is getting use to you and putting his trust in you as the days go by. Since he's batting your hands with just his paw with no claws out means there's a trust in you. Also when you face the laptop towards him and he comes right up next to you and touch the screen and keyboard is another sign that he is comfortable with you.
So best is let him get more use to you and let him be involved in the things you do and that will definitely bring up his confidence level. He must have total trust in you. Maybe you can include treats when he comes up to join you in the things you do.
Introduce toys slowly to him so that he knows when playing with toys, its interactive and you are involved, of course at times he will play by himself but it's the doing things together.
As for your trip, best is to have the cat sitter come a few times before you leave. This is to let Binx get use to the sitter with you around. Otherwise, same old thing again that he'll go into hiding and maybe when you are back, he might be afraid again.

I would have to say they can recognize images. My cat, whenever I have football on,  will sit on the couch for a long time just watching. He ignores most other TV.
Soon he'll want me to get him beer and buffalo wings. You could experiment and see what Binx likes.