Hello, all. I'm new here, but it seems like it may be a good site to get some advice.
My fiance and I recently adopted 2 ferals (they had been there about two weeks) from a shelter, and they are now making their home on our home. They are a boy and a girl about 4-5 months, and have all their vaccinations and have been spayed and nuetered. So there is nothing to worry about there.
My question is about socializing. I understand that they may never be 100% comfortable around us and we are not looking to turn them into our playthings, but the woman who is advising us seems to be giving Kiki, the girl, is ball of fluffy love. She won't come on your lap, but when we are in the bathroom, you can pick her up, place her gently in your lap and pet her. She purrs like a Studebaker. She seems to be coming along fine.
Willy, however, is going to be a bit more work. He still hisses when approached, but once you gently get some good pets going, he has been known to purr hard from time to time. It depends on his mood.
The frustrating advice, to me anyway, is that we were told to handle them a much as possible and as soon as possible. With Kiki that is no problem, she's still tentative, but is willing; but Willy is no where near comfortable enough to pick up. You try to and he breaks free and runs behind the toilet. He's not having it. But this woman continually insists that that is what you're supposed to do. It just seems to me that this woman's advice might be misguided. If the idea is to get them to feel safe and not threatened, wouldn't it seem that forcing a kitten to do something they obviously are scared of defeats that very purpose?
My gut tells me to just stick with the gentle petting, when he's up for it, without picking him up, eventually let them roam around, and let him come around on his own time.
Am I wrong on this or just not getting it?
My fiance and I recently adopted 2 ferals (they had been there about two weeks) from a shelter, and they are now making their home on our home. They are a boy and a girl about 4-5 months, and have all their vaccinations and have been spayed and nuetered. So there is nothing to worry about there.
My question is about socializing. I understand that they may never be 100% comfortable around us and we are not looking to turn them into our playthings, but the woman who is advising us seems to be giving Kiki, the girl, is ball of fluffy love. She won't come on your lap, but when we are in the bathroom, you can pick her up, place her gently in your lap and pet her. She purrs like a Studebaker. She seems to be coming along fine.
Willy, however, is going to be a bit more work. He still hisses when approached, but once you gently get some good pets going, he has been known to purr hard from time to time. It depends on his mood.
The frustrating advice, to me anyway, is that we were told to handle them a much as possible and as soon as possible. With Kiki that is no problem, she's still tentative, but is willing; but Willy is no where near comfortable enough to pick up. You try to and he breaks free and runs behind the toilet. He's not having it. But this woman continually insists that that is what you're supposed to do. It just seems to me that this woman's advice might be misguided. If the idea is to get them to feel safe and not threatened, wouldn't it seem that forcing a kitten to do something they obviously are scared of defeats that very purpose?
My gut tells me to just stick with the gentle petting, when he's up for it, without picking him up, eventually let them roam around, and let him come around on his own time.
Am I wrong on this or just not getting it?