New feral need help

Day three w Reeses, her mom got killed, her two brothers got moved together and I got her,she is 8 months I been feeding her for 6 months, she is 3 days out of thehttp://www.thecatsite.com/f/9/caring-for-strays-and-ferals vet and living in my bathroom. I have 3 older cats about 8 years old, I bring Reeses out in the carrier every day but she wants free. Will she hurt my cats or will they hurt her?

I would wait a little while longer before introducing her.  Also, having her in the carrier out with the other cats may make her feel trapped and helpless.  That might result in her not liking the other cats - she will see them as potentially harmful.  This may be why she's anxious to get out of the carrier.

I always found that a screen door at the entrance to the foster room helped the cats see and smell one another without being able to get to one another.  As they get used to each other, the actual face-to-face goes a little smoother.

Try rubbing one end of a towel on her and the other end on the other cats.  Give her their end and feed treats.  Feed them on the other end.  This helps them associate the treats (good things) with the other cats' smells.

Thank you for helping her.  good luck and keep us posted!

I would give her time to adjust to indoor living.  Moving too soon to introduce her to your other cats will only backfire.  She needs to feel safe and secure first.  It would stop bringing her out to visit the other cats right now.  Just concentrate on getting her used to indoor living and being safe.

Here are some articles and a video on cat to cat intros.  If you move too soon, one of the cats may end of getting hurt.  Take things slowly.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/the-ultimate-yet-simplified-guide-to-introducing-cats

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/a-simple-little-trick-to-use-during-new-cat-introductions/

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-cat

http://jacksongalaxy.com/2010/10/01/cat-to-cat-introductions/

A baby gate is also a good way to introduce them, but with supervision, because cats can jump baby gates when left unsupervised. Let her watch you hold, pet, and play with the other cats. In a few days, use a wand toy to play with them, and see if she will play on her side of the gate. It will help her to see you interact with the other cats. You probably have at least one friend who has a baby gate to lend you for a few weeks? Talk to all of them in a soft voice. I made up songs for each one of my cats, and when I sing their song they know it's for them--so make up a little song for your feral.  Feral cats usually adjust to other cats much more readily and easily than they do to humans, but they need to see these are safe cats, and part of your "clan."

Can you move her into a larger room, like your bedroom? She is likely feeling cramped in the bathroom. Also, I don't know what your finances are like, but if you could afford to do so, order a 6 foot cat tree on ebay or amazon (one costs about 80 dollars), cats love those. She could hide inside the cubby holes and then the other cats would later play on it, too. Give your resident cats extra play time, treats, and attention so they associate the new cat with good things.

Also, is one of your resident cats friendlier and calmer than the other? Perhaps you could bring that cat into her room in your arms, talking or singing softly for a few minutes a few times a day, perhaps dancing around with her.

I know is sounds silly singing and dancing to cats, but it's how I've helped numerous news cats, including ferals, adjust to living in my multi-cat household. They really do understand the language of love, and they will think you silly and harmless.  

Thank you all, I live alone in a rental flat the only door is the bathroom. She is playing w me so far and she was out on bed w the cats last night no hissing from anyone

Wow that's great news! You've made incredible progress with her so quickly.

Very nice!  Thanks for the update.

Illl. Keep updatin. Today. A lot of hissing .Reeses in the bathroom today. Gonna buy a dog cage so she can come out n be safe..until she lets me touch her I can't let her alone..but we play a lot and I sing to her

Today I got the dog cage, and Reeses didn't hiss or bite me, she kinda song like a chirp sound then gave me her paw with no claws out which is a first..we play a lot and the dog cage is a wonderful idea.I know we have a long road but I think she's worth it.

It sounds like she feels safer.  The crate was a good idea.

Do you think she will ever come to me or not be scared? I know we make progress then the next day a few steps back ..she looks less stressed from when she was outside..oh we got 15 cats out if one yard non fixed, now all fixed..

It definitely sounds like she will get there! It's not unusual to take months for a feral cat to be fully comfortable around people.

This guide has lots of tips for helping the process go smoothly: http://bestfriends.org/resources/socializing-cats-how-socialize-very-shy-or-fearful-cat

Also with kittens, play is often a very quick way to their heart! Find a toy or game that she absolutely loves that involves you (like a wand toy) and save it for whenever you're spending time with her and she'll start to get excited and happy when she sees you rather than nervous.

Day 12 I don't know what I did right but Reesie let me pet her for 15 minute straight, like a heavy petting session. The things I've learned from bringing a semi feral in is that this has been easier then I was told, it wasn't always easy, but once the cat feels safe something changes in their head and they just give in..

So On Saturday I'm letting Reesie free in the house with the others.Maggie, Mini and Hailie are older and adjusting and Reesie lets me pet her.I still can't pick her up but thats our next trick. This hasn't been easy but way faster than I ever thought..

That is such wonderful news! Keep up the good work. Socializing a young feral cat is a lot of work, but so rewarding, and it only requires some time and patience.

Is there anything I need to prepare for socializing Reese with the older 3?

Definitely introduce them slowly and perhaps one at a time.  She may feel overwhelmed meeting all three at once.

If one of them is more laid back, try him or her first.  You can get a screen door for her room, so they can interact without being bale to get to one another, just in case.  If you've done that already, try feeding them treats together.

Just take it easy and don't try to rush this part.  Good luck!!

Thank you, I do bring her out in a dog cage so they have spent many hours on the bed all four watchin videos for cats.which they love and they all play under the door with her, my real concern is she won't let me pick her up yet so if she got scared I couldnt get her.that's what freaks me out.I can't believe she let me pet her on day 11. I thought that would take months.but I did see a huge change in her she sleeps infront of me and she really took the guard down.thank you all for helping at first she was so sad I thought I made a mistake now she thinks she is a princess so I know taking her in was the best choice for her.

Day 12 I think we went from not getting enough petting back to she is scared and no touching at all.I don't know what changes their minds so quickly but I'm prepared for more petting to come..as I sit typing on my bathroom floor my Reesie is slowly approaching me, today it seems the mire I ignore the more attention she wants..all good I have all the time in the world to give her love

Day 15; and we have gone backwards which I expect but I didn't realize how far we could go, she is hissing and somewhat hidden from me, she just seems like she isn't happy, but it's 20 degrees out and snowing so her being in a house with heat, food a bed , toys and scratching posts and her own liter doesn't seem so bad..