Scared 6 month old kittens

Hello,

I just adopted two 6 month old kittens - brother and sister.  I got them from the rescue organization where I got my previous cat who recently died.  He was a total love - I got him at 10 months --- he had been fostered by the woman who runs the rescue.  He was adopted to us as an indoor/outdoor cat an unfortunately was hit and killed by a car at 3 yrs old.   We were devastated and I felt guilty but he truly loved going outside.  He would have never been happy inside all the time.

These two kittens will be inside cats.  They were fostered by the same woman and are very shy and timid.  She had them for about 4 months, so were probably feral but have been with people for most of their lives.  At the pet store I was able to pet them while in their cage - the boy, Link was very scared.  The girl, Navi, was more accepting.  I knew they would be a challenge but I was really drawn to them.  Anyway, at home I let them loose in a bedroom with litter and food.  They hid under the couch and dresser and I eventually realized that it would be too traumatic for them if I had to keep catching them to socialize them etc.  So a friend lent me her a big dog crate and I've purchased online a 25x36x44 cat cage that should arrive in a few days.  They've been with me two days and in the crate for one day.  They seem more comfortable there.  Last evening I was able to play with them through the bars.   Navi is more active.  Link is still very scared - they both are still wary of me  Link has started to hiss now, but not in an aggressive way.  I haven't tried to pick them up since they've been in the crate.

The foster mom says she was able to pet them and they would roll over for tummy rubs.  So I'm pretty sure they just need more time and patience to get used  to us and their new surroundings  But I would love any advice you may have.  I've had feral cats before but never this timid and usually younger so there was never really an issue of gaining their trust like these two.  My husband thinks its cruel to have them in the crate but from all I've read I think it's the best and is giving them some security.  I also think working with Navi first might be the best tactic since she's less timid and more amenable to playing.

Thank you!

These things take time. Two days is nothing. They have been through a lot I am sure. I have never crated cats so can't comment on that. My advice would be to leave them be. Most likely they will come out at night while you are sleeping. Luckily they are siblings so are used to each other & can comfort each other. Everything will work out but patience is needed. BTW, you need at least 2 litter boxes for them. I presume they are fixed already.

sarah430
2or 3 days isn't a lot of time for "scaredy cats". I would leave the crate door open now (tie it so it doesn't accidentenly close) but keep the bedroom door closed another day. If they go back under the bed, try luring them out with a toy.
Don't "jump" when they do come out. A kitten is naturally curious, and I think once the doors are opened, they will start exploring.
When they are out, try some wand toys or tempt them with treats to get them closer to you.
They will eventually get the idea that you are a source for food and fun. That could happen more quickly than you think it will. While they are getting comfortable, you probably need to leave the crate available to them as "their space"
Add some beds around the house so they have curl-up space, but under your bed might be their comfort zone when they are sleeping for quite some time.
As long as they are eating and using the litter box, watch and see. Make sure there is another litter box that is not in the crate so they get used to that location as well.
Every cat has their own purrsonality, and you just need to be patient with these two

Thank you for the advice! The boy is fixed but the girl isn't yet. I'm planning on getting that done in a few weeks. I want to limit her trauma as much as possible at the moment.

sarah430 said:

Thank you for the advice! The boy is fixed but the girl isn't yet. I'm planning on getting that done in a few weeks. I want to limit her trauma as much as possible at the moment.

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At 6 months old, Navi is overdue to be spayed. She can get pregnant at 4 months. She will start cycling into monthly heat & drive you nuts. Here in Connecticut no pet is released for adoption unless they are fixed. I really think this is the best way.

Thank you.  Yes, I'm aware she should be spayed asap.  But at least she can't get pregnant since Link is neutered.  I'm not sure why this particular rescue group hadn't already had her spayed.  I know the Humane Society and other bigger animal rescue groups would definitely do it before letting them get adopted out.

Another specific question --- what about handling them.  I've read mixed things about holding them.   Should I try to do that now or wait until I've gotten them to play around me more?

sarah430 said:

Thank you.  Yes, I'm aware she should be spayed asap.  But at least she can't get pregnant since Link is neutered.  I'm not sure why this particular rescue group hadn't already had her spayed.  I know the Humane Society and other bigger animal rescue groups would definitely do it before letting them get adopted out.

Another specific question --- what about handling them.  I've read mixed things about holding them.   Should I try to do that now or wait until I've gotten them to play around me more?

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She can get pregnant if she slips outside! In addition, every tom cat in the neighborhood will be in your backyard looking for her, believe it or not.

As I said in post #2 I would leave them be. You've had them only two days. My Looby Loo hid under our bed for a week before she would come out. Many others here have had similar experiences. The problem is if you rush them you can actually set things back. Try to put yourself in their paws to imagine what they have been through. They are six months old and have only just found their forever home with you.

Primula said:

As I said in post #2 I would leave them be. You've had them only two days. My Looby Loo hid under our bed for a week before she would come out. Many others here have had similar experiences. The problem is if you rush them you can actually set things back. Try to put yourself in their paws to imagine what they have been through. They are six months old and have only just found their forever home with you.

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Thank you!  I appreciate all your advice.  I'll let them lead the way.

Do you have photos of them? Post when you do.

Navi is in the back, Link in the front.  Her chest has more white area and the white goes all the way around her neck like a white collar.  Both are short hair but Link's is a bit longer although you can't tell as much from this picture.  I just love them and want to give them a good, safe home.

sarah430 said:

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• sarah430
• Feb 13, 2017

Navi is in the back, Link in the front.  Her chest has more white area and the white goes all the way around her neck like a white collar.  Both are short hair but Link's is a bit longer although you can't tell as much from this picture.  I just love them and want to give them a good, safe home. :heart4:

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Lovely. Everything will work out, I guaranty it.

Re-reading your OP strange how you were allowed to adopt an indoor/outdoor cat. Here in CT one is not allowed to adopt a cat unless it is kept indoors. Personally, my cats never go outside.

Also, I doubt that Navi & Link are feral. Just because their origin is unknown does not mean they're feral. They may have been born to a mother outside & this has made them stressed. Same thing as happened to my Looby Loo.

Thank you for the reassurance! This evening I opened the door to their crate and they have free run of the room. I almost coaxed Navi all the way out with a toy. Then my son and I fed them some food with spoons. I had to stick it all the way under Link's nose -- he wouldn't budge. But Navi was much more daring and came to the door. Now I'm sitting on the couch typing on my iPad and they are running all over the room playing. Navi came out and started exploring first. Five minutes later I saw Link move towards the door. I ducked my head below my iPad so he couldn't catch my gaze. Soon he was out too. They still jump if I move but for now they are happily oblivious to me as long as don't make any sudden movements or look into their eyes too long . I'm loving it and so happy seeing them having fun instead of hiding in a corner.

sarah430
That's wonderful! They are beautiful kitties and I hope they continue to be curious babies
Enjoy the new purries in your life

sarah430 said:

ducked my head below my iPad so he couldn't catch my gaze.

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LOL. I do the same with Looby Loo. She's such a nervous kitty - if I look at her the wrong way she gets in a tizzy.

I had another fun evening with the kitties yesterday.  Link is still very leery of me and Navi also runs when she thinks I'm coming towards her.  But she is much more active and daring and tends to get more easily distracted by play.  I almost lured her into my lap with a toy. Link will play and comes out to eat but always stays close to an escape route.   I'm resisting trying to pet them or pick them up. 

I plan to remove the crate from their safe room tonight because it doesn't look like they're going back in it and seem to prefer under the dresser or couch as their safe spot.  I'd love to give them access to the rest of the house but there are too many nooks and crannies where they could hide so I think I'll wait on that.   How do I know when they are ready for more space?

Also, Navi is going in for her spay in 2 weeks.   I wanted to give her more time before I traumatized her with travel and surgery.  I'm thinking of giving them more run of the house after she's recovered.

I would keep doing what you are doing for a while. They may get upset with too much new space.

Navi won't be traumatized. Being fixed did not faze any of my cats.

Don't forget that if you do want to pet them a little go from behind. Cats don't like hands coming towards their face.

sarah430
When you take the crate out, maybe you could leave the towel or blanket inthe room with them for a few days. That way, the change is more gradual, even though it seems like they aren't going back in the crate.

It's been a week since I brought them home and things are progressing nicely. They are much more active and play with us and each other all over the room. They still scatter if I make a sudden movement but are much more comfortable around us. Yesterday I took a nap and woke up to find Navi curled up by my feet - not touching me but close. Link is still more cautious but I got him to take a treat from my hand. He gets close enough to bat my hand so I drop it when he gets close. Navi is more daring and has licked wet food from my finger. They are wonderful kitties and I love seeing their personalities come out. They may never be cuddlebugs but that's okay and I think they'll continue to warm up to us.

Sarah - so glad.

An update:   Took the kitties to the vet on Saturday for their checkup.  Navi was easy to lure into the carrier, but we had to chase Link down.   They were both pretty frightened but were docile and allowed the vet and vet techs to do their things.  We took the top off the carrier and draped a towel over it so one could "hide" while the other was being examined.  Both weighed exactly 7.3 lbs and estimated 6-7 months old.  They got their rabies shots and Link was microchipped.   Navi had blood drawn for pre-surgery testing.  Everything is a-ok and she's negative for feline leukemia.  The fecal test came back positive for giardia and they started a 3 day treatment.  Luckily the vet was able to give me a powder that I can sprinkle on their food.  Initially they were going to prescribe a liquid but even three days of trying to get that down them would have been traumatic for everyone!  Navi is going in for her spay on Thursday and she'll be microchipped then.

Since they visited the vet they've regressed a little bit and are back to hiding/running away more.   The vet sprayed Feliway on their towel and back at home they've been sleeping on that towel.  So I decided to buy some (online it's arriving today) and hope that will help de-stress them.  Once Navi has recovered from her surgery we are going to let them out and see the rest of the house.  They will still have the bedroom as their safe place but I think once they can roam and be more part of the family they'll warm up.  Of course, we'll continue to work with them to gain their trust.