We recently rescued 2 feral kittens----about 8 weeks old.
When we accepted them,we were told that 8 weeks was a little young to have them doctored etc.
As we have no other animals,waiting to take them to the vet did not seem to be a problem.
Because the mother was very upset when the kittens were taken--we agreed to take the mother as well---
we think this was a bad decision as the mothers attitude to us influenced the behavior of the kittens,so
we had her spade and she was returned to her area.We felt that we lost the first 2 weeks of taming due to having the mother around.
So now we are into our 3rd week,The kittens are in a bedroom with 2 litter boxes,some hide places and numerous toys.Recently we changed the litter box material for pine-scented litter and they proceeded to
mess all over the room EXCEPT the litter boxes--so changed back to original(Tidy Cat) and will see
what happens.One of the kittens is responding to us well(for the time span),plays with toys,eats while we are in the room and generally seems relaxed--although we have not been in touch yet.The other is far less responsive--hides a lot and may play a little from long distance.
My questions are---1.Are we on the right track to socializing these kittens(who we want to keep)
2.Should we catch the kittens now and have them doctored,spade etc--
3.Is our progress as described reasonable for the time
4.Is there anything special thing we should be doing now.
Look forward to your comments
Tony
When we accepted them,we were told that 8 weeks was a little young to have them doctored etc.
As we have no other animals,waiting to take them to the vet did not seem to be a problem.
Because the mother was very upset when the kittens were taken--we agreed to take the mother as well---
we think this was a bad decision as the mothers attitude to us influenced the behavior of the kittens,so
we had her spade and she was returned to her area.We felt that we lost the first 2 weeks of taming due to having the mother around.
So now we are into our 3rd week,The kittens are in a bedroom with 2 litter boxes,some hide places and numerous toys.Recently we changed the litter box material for pine-scented litter and they proceeded to
mess all over the room EXCEPT the litter boxes--so changed back to original(Tidy Cat) and will see
what happens.One of the kittens is responding to us well(for the time span),plays with toys,eats while we are in the room and generally seems relaxed--although we have not been in touch yet.The other is far less responsive--hides a lot and may play a little from long distance.
My questions are---1.Are we on the right track to socializing these kittens(who we want to keep)
2.Should we catch the kittens now and have them doctored,spade etc--
3.Is our progress as described reasonable for the time
4.Is there anything special thing we should be doing now.
Look forward to your comments
Tony