Playful or aggressive?

[mavismittens]

So we found a kitten tossed from a car at 4 weeks old. My family took her in and I bottle fed her till she could handle real food.

She is rather rough. I have assumed this is due not being taught by her mother and siblings. We are trying to teach her. She appears to only like me female wise. She likes men. This I was told is also typical female cat behavior. Females she hisses and growls at them.

So I took her to the vet today for shots. I warned them that she's feisty and will bite. Needless to say we heard her growling and meowing aggressively. The vet came back in and said she bit them. She told me our kitten is feral. Is this true or is she just a baby who is still learning? She bites hard, but I don't know she means to. It is hard to pet her without her biting, but she sleeps on us and has to be with us. The vet called the humane society to come out because she bit them and hasn't been vaccinated. I need to know if she will grow and be a lazy cat or will bite forever. Vet broke my heart because we love her.

 

[epimeliade]

I've raised feral kittens and they've become pretty sweet normal cats after some conditioning. Just because she's aggressive now doesn't mean that she can't or won't change. I've taken in kittens that are already a few months old and turned them into really personable house cats. I would say that because you found her so young, there's definitely a chance that she can turn into a house cat. Most of my cats ended up not being fond of being held, but they were sweet in other ways, some of them became lap cats, some didn't. Just depends on the cat more than anything. 

 

[freyaandzelda]

Four weeks is a really early age to have found her. I wouldn't think she would be considered feral. I found Zelda at six weeks and although she doesn't like to snuggle as much as Freya she's a very friendly kitty. It may just have to do with her personality.

 

[freyaandzelda]

Also I don't really think that's normal female behavior because I have two girls and they're fine with anyone. They may show preference for one person over another but they've never hissed and growled.

 

[mavismittens]

So should we be patient with her? The vet basically is not wanting to see her again. I think Mavis was really scared. She draws her ears back and we divert her to a toy. We are just worried how she would react if we were to have another child. She seems content with just us and our dog (who she snuggles with also)

 

[lesliel76]

I would definitely be paitent. I have a feral kitty I took in at 4 weeks and he is very bitty also. I am assuming that its because he was taken away from his mom and siblings too early. When you pick him up he lashes out and bites. He also bites when your petting him out of nowhere sometimes.

Like yours he sleeps with me and seems to want to be around me. A true ferel would not be that interactive with you. Your kitty may always be a biter but with time and patience I think she could still be a great house kitty. Shes young so he has a year worth of the crazy kitty energy coming up so be prepared with lots of toys and stimulation.

Im suprised by the vets reaction. Seems a bit over dramatic coming from someone who should know and understand animals. Seem bizarre this was the first cat that got agressive at the vet. That seems natural to me. I would research other vets.

 

[epimeliade]

Agreed on finding another vet. True feral kittens run at the sight of you and if you pick them up at all they go into a panic. If your cat is starting to bond with you then she isn't feral anymore, she's just not socialized correctly. Patience and training will most likely work. Yet again, I've picked up feral kittens and had them turn into sweet cats before. If you have the time, you can make it work.

 

[tammyy]

Whether she is feral or not be patient, It's way too early. It's 8 weeks when it's get challenging to socialise a feral kitty but never impossible.

It takes time, I've socialised a feral kitten before, it was on his pace gradually. But, maybe your kitten have an aggressiveness issue that can be solved and not feral. And I agree on finding another vet.