New Kitten

Hi guys, I'm new here. A week ago one of the feral cats outside my apartment had kittens. We were abe to catch only one of them, but now she is part of the family. She went to the vet this weekend and got her first round of shots and a dewormer. The vet put her at about 8 weeks old.

Now for my question. Whenever my fiance begins to pet her or picks her up she meows. It sounds very pitiful. She hardly ever does it when I do any of those things. We can't tell if its a good meow or a bad one. What is your opinion?

She may just be a little afraid of him (I expect he's a bit bigger? - I'm assuming the 'he'), his big heavy shoes (honestly!), or the smell of something on his hands (that's not on yours - the ones who feed her). Just give her more time, like a few months, and it may change. Most of our cats have played favorites at one time or another, but it can change. Also though, I imagine the vet was able to check her for any obvious injuries, so that's unlikely, but maybe your fiance could just let her be for now except maybe to pet her when she's already lying down or something.

Originally Posted by smithem

Hi guys, I'm new here. A week ago one of the feral cats outside my apartment had kittens. We were abe to catch only one of them, but now she is part of the family. She went to the vet this weekend and got her first round of shots and a dewormer. The vet put her at about 8 weeks old.

Now for my question. Whenever my fiance begins to pet her or picks her up she meows. It sounds very pitiful. She hardly ever does it when I do any of those things. We can't tell if its a good meow or a bad one. What is your opinion?

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Smithem....if you have a feral cat colony that has not been attended to and is having kittens, there are several organizations in Virginia that help with TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) to stabilize cat colonies. Please visit this site and contact the groups that are closest to you:

http://www.natewood.net/FeralCats.html

Katie

This little one is so fortunate to have found you.

Thanks guys!

TNR1-

I have contacted the local TNR program in my city. unfoutunately I live in a college town and there is a huge population of ferals and strays. College students get a kitten and then abandon it when they move .

As for how Gixxer is doing: My fiance has since left to go to training and he'll be gone for about two months . I'm afraid that when he gets back, she'll be even more afraid of him. With me though she has become a regular lovebug! She always wants to be in my lap even at only 9 weeks old.

Originally Posted by smithem

Thanks guys!

TNR1-

I have contacted the local TNR program in my city. unfoutunately I live in a college town and there is a huge population of ferals and strays. College students get a kitten and then abandon it when they move

.

As for how Gixxer is doing: My fiance has since left to go to training and he'll be gone for about two months

. I'm afraid that when he gets back, she'll be even more afraid of him. With me though she has become a regular lovebug! She always wants to be in my lap even at only 9 weeks old.

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Hmmm....college town.....there are so many of those in our state. If you don't have success with the TNR group..let me know. I volunteer at the Alley Cat Allies feral cat clinic and can let them know about the situation and ask if they know of any other contacts that you could reach out to. It's truly sad when college students dump their cats at the end of the college year...and yet another reason why it is sooo important to spay/neuter all cats before they go into homes.

Gixxer may end up being a momma's girl...some cats do have a preference. I would just spend time with her and assure her and I suspect over time..she will be ok with your fiancee...you just have to let her be the one to initiate the interaction.

Katie

Observing your fiance's handling of the kitten may give you some clues. Make sure that he strokes, not pats; and that when he picks her up, all her legs are supported, and no pressure on the abdomen. There are sites that give details on proper handling of cats & kittens.
And don't think that you're being too critical of him, think of yourself as a trainer observing a student. For instance, comparing horse riding to this situation - a casual observer seeing a ridden horse toss his head will think that the horse is hyper, misbehaving, etc., but a trainer will immediately observe how the reins are being handled & how the rider is sitting - often, it's just that the rider's hands are jiggling the bit, which bumps the roof of the horse's mouth & it tosses its head in response.

Some kittahs just don't like being picked up...could just be protesting benig picked up.