Hi, everyone. I'm new to this site, and I'm here because I've just taken in a feral kitten from my neighborhood. He/she (don't even know the sex yet) appears to be between 4 to 6 months old. I have a mobile vet visit for him tomorrow and then we need to get him spayed/neutered. We could release him after but we hope to keep him as an indoor kitty.
I've had him in my house for two days now. I've been keeping him in a pet playpen, but I've decided to move him into a small bathroom instead so he can roam a little more. This kitty doesn't seem happy to be here, but he will at least look at me (while I do the slow blink) and shows no aggression at all. I've reached into the playpen near him and he doesn't flinch at my hands or even hiss at me. I haven't tried to touch him yet.
My first goal right now is just to get him to eat in my presence. I put out food and then hang out in the room with him, reading or working on my laptop, but he's willing to wait hours for me to leave so he doesn't have to eat with me there. I hate the idea of taking the food away until he'll eat with me, but this might be the only way to make it happen. Last night I was just excited to see him on the kitty cam sitting in his comfy bed with the hot water bottle (and even tossing a toy around) instead of hiding in the cat box. But this is when we're out of the house.
Any tips or ideas? I was hoping if he would at least eat with me there, then I can start introducing a little touch at the same time. Thanks for any help!
I've had him in my house for two days now. I've been keeping him in a pet playpen, but I've decided to move him into a small bathroom instead so he can roam a little more. This kitty doesn't seem happy to be here, but he will at least look at me (while I do the slow blink) and shows no aggression at all. I've reached into the playpen near him and he doesn't flinch at my hands or even hiss at me. I haven't tried to touch him yet.
My first goal right now is just to get him to eat in my presence. I put out food and then hang out in the room with him, reading or working on my laptop, but he's willing to wait hours for me to leave so he doesn't have to eat with me there. I hate the idea of taking the food away until he'll eat with me, but this might be the only way to make it happen. Last night I was just excited to see him on the kitty cam sitting in his comfy bed with the hot water bottle (and even tossing a toy around) instead of hiding in the cat box. But this is when we're out of the house.
Any tips or ideas? I was hoping if he would at least eat with me there, then I can start introducing a little touch at the same time. Thanks for any help!