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This is a place to gain some understanding of cat behavior and to assist people in training their cats and dealing with common behavior problems, regardless of the method(s) used. Keep in mind that you may be receiving advice from other cat owners and lovers...not professionals. If you have a major problem, always seek the advice of a trainer or behaviorist!
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Smoky
Contented to- Purr for the- People! |
 | | Purred: Mon Nov 2, '09 10:23am PST | |  | |  | | The city I work in is demolishing a series of buildings in order to make way for a new bridge and gas station. Unfortunately, there is a colony of stray cats among a number of the houses/businesses that have been boarded up. A number of people I work with have been going to this area with me to try and trap the strays. One of my friends has volunteered her spare room as their temporary home.
The first cats we trapped were a group of three stray kittens - we are currently in the process of getting Mom, but she's outsmarted us quite a few times. The kittens are extremely scared, but have been in the room a few days and are eating a lot, using the litterbox, and playing when no one is around. However, we're making an effort to socialize the kittens so that they can find a good home with someone who will love and take care of them.
Does anyone have any advice on how best to socialize these kittens? They're old enough where they have been weaned and are eating solid food, and we're hoping we'll still be able to get them to love us back! We've tried simply sitting in the room in the hopes they will get used to us and come out of their hiding place. |  |  | |  |
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♥- Tasha- ♥
Cat; I'm a kitty- cat!
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 | | Purred: Mon Nov 2, '09 11:44am PST | | | | | | You may want to put them in a crate so that you can pick them up easier without chasing them around. You will need to handle them in order to tame them. If you have to chase them to catch them- they will get stressed out, and you lose progress. You want to hold them, and talk quietly to them. Avoid direct eye contact. The more they hiss- the more you kiss them. Sitting quietly in the room while they play is good too, you could also read to them- they need to get used to household noises and sounds. Good luck! | | | | |
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mIcHiS
-iTs aLl AbOuT- ME!!!- |
| | Purred: Mon Nov 2, '09 1:52pm PST | | | | | | the way to a kittens heart is through his stomach! dont leave food out for them , if you can feed them at specific times , something really yummy like bits of chicken or tuna fish. Make sure they're hungry and sit down , start gently tossing the food towards them speaking quietly , and dont loook at them or make sudden movements. They will hiss , grab the food and run away to eat it , it is normal but they will be back for another piece. Toss it gradually closer to you , and get them used to eating next to you. Gently stroke their backs. At first they will run as if you had burned them , but their hunger will overpower their fear and they will be back. It takes a few weeks for them to realize human hands dont hurt you. Play with them , use a wand toy , so they can interact with you but not directly. when they are completely focused on their game , bring the toy towards you , they will follow it and will be so concentrated they will be right next to you and not even notice it. Storke them , when they are like that , and they wont mind it as much , if they are focused on their game. Warm milk is good to feed cause they love it and wont be able to resist but they cant carry it away in their mouths , this forces them to eat near you , or else they cant drink the milk at all. And if you can , feed them largish pieces of meat in your hands , hand feed them , this also gets them more used to people. Teach them that humans=yummy food and play time. And be patient! | | | | |
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BK
1010306 |
| | Purred: Mon Nov 2, '09 2:20pm PST | | | | | | Michis has it exactly right. Mom fosters for a rescue group and has been specializing in shy or feral kittens lately. We don't cage - we're in an apartment so they can't go far. We let the kittens hide for a little while until they see that we're ignoring them and aren't going to hurt them. But food is the great miracle worker. As they get comfortable they see that mom is the food lady. First she just stays in the room with them while they eat. Then very slowly over days and weeks she starts getting closer, feeding them by hand and petting them while they're eating. They get startled at first but they come around. Eventually you can pick them up so they're eating in your lap. Some of them catch on quickly and don't want to get OUT of your lap. Others are more independent - just like domestic cats, they're all different. But patience is the biggest key. It takes a while depending on the kitten but it's so worth the work! | | | | |
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mIcHiS
-iTs aLl AbOuT- ME!!!- |
| | Purred: Mon Nov 2, '09 3:59pm PST | | | | | | yes , but most kittens are not lactose intolerant , only adult cats. And I know from experince how to tame them  Tigger my outdoor feral mom who I still havent caught (grrr) had a litter in March and that was how I tamed them. I've also tamed other feral litters. Its great when the mom trusts you. That really helps the kittens to accept you , too. tigger adores me , and when her kittens see mom is purring at this human they think "hmmm maybe she's not so bad after all". I know thats probably not feasible in your situation , I guess the mom is even more feral than those kittens! good luck finding them a home! | | | | |
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