Hi,
I just acquired a feral kitten who I have named Pixie. I think she is about 6 weeks old (but itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s an estimate and if you tell me she is older Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ll believe you). By way of background, Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve only had her for one week. She hides under my bed when I am in the room but plays with toys Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve leave out all night long.
Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve raised five very friendly cats, but never a feral one so this is shaping up to be quite challenging.
Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been reading a ton of information online and there seems to be a general disagreement about whether to handle the kitten regularly despite her protests (ears back, hissing, spitting, and growling) OR to let her become accustomed to me and approach me for petting.
I left her alone (no touching) for the first few days I had her home so she could get use to my presence and my bedroom. Sunday I herded her into the bathroom and we had a gentle but insistent handling session. The following night (after another day spent under the bed) she gathered up all her toys and put them under the bed with her. Although her behavior makes me laugh, Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m scared I somehow set her back.
Also, she has an unusual habit that I havenâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t read about: When I do handle her she resists (I didnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t know a kitten could growl and spit like that!) and then go limp like she is dead. When I lay her in my lap she just stays in whatever position I put her in. This doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t seem at all normal to me – based on how hard she fights in the beginning it seems like she should run away. Any advice? Is this normal?
Should I leave her alone and just keep showing her that I am leaving food for her? Should I keep handling her and ignore the spitting, growling, and playing dead?
Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m open to any and all advice!
Thank you!
I just acquired a feral kitten who I have named Pixie. I think she is about 6 weeks old (but itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s an estimate and if you tell me she is older Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ll believe you). By way of background, Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve only had her for one week. She hides under my bed when I am in the room but plays with toys Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve leave out all night long.
Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve raised five very friendly cats, but never a feral one so this is shaping up to be quite challenging.
Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve been reading a ton of information online and there seems to be a general disagreement about whether to handle the kitten regularly despite her protests (ears back, hissing, spitting, and growling) OR to let her become accustomed to me and approach me for petting.
I left her alone (no touching) for the first few days I had her home so she could get use to my presence and my bedroom. Sunday I herded her into the bathroom and we had a gentle but insistent handling session. The following night (after another day spent under the bed) she gathered up all her toys and put them under the bed with her. Although her behavior makes me laugh, Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m scared I somehow set her back.
Also, she has an unusual habit that I havenâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t read about: When I do handle her she resists (I didnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t know a kitten could growl and spit like that!) and then go limp like she is dead. When I lay her in my lap she just stays in whatever position I put her in. This doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t seem at all normal to me – based on how hard she fights in the beginning it seems like she should run away. Any advice? Is this normal?
Should I leave her alone and just keep showing her that I am leaving food for her? Should I keep handling her and ignore the spitting, growling, and playing dead?
Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m open to any and all advice!
Thank you!