Getting a barn kitten used to humans?

Question

I want to get a kitten used to humans so it wont leave the barn when it gets older and so I can catch it to fix it when I gets old enough and I cant take it home my mom would kill me(we already have 3 cats so I wouldnt be able to have another and one of our cats is accually from the moms last litter) so how do I just get it used to humans it hides from us and it isnt weaned off milk yet so I cant use food bribes and im not at the barn enough to juwst wait there

Answer 1

Feral cats are hard to catch, let alone tame. You're looking at a huge uphill battle here. I was friendly with a few neighborhood ferals at one time but they never trusted me to pick them up or even pet them for a bit. They were there for food and that was about it. If you would like to domesticate the cat, you're going to have to take it inside with you and get it used to your constant presence. However, since the kitten already is living among ferals and has not yet been weaned, you're just going to have to let nature take its course. The only advice that I can give you is to hang around the barn and let the kitten feel comfortable with your presence. Don't go chasing after it or making a big deal about it. Go at it slowly and the kitten's curiosity will take over. Plus, if you're friendly with the mom, the kitten will come to you that much further. Cats have a mind of their own and are independant creatures, unlike dogs that seek companionship.

Answer 2

I read your previous post as well. If you can get close to the mama cat, you should be able to get close to the kitten. I'm not sure how old the kitten is, but kittens learn from their mothers. If the mother trusts humans, the kittens will as well. Realize that a mother cat is loaded with hormones that make them unusually affectionate and their true personality may be the complete opposite. Nevertheless, if you are kind and gentle with the mama cat during this time, she will trust you more and more. The kitten will follow suit. If the kitten is a male and is already 6 months old, however, get him neutered. Male barn cats are NOT friendly. They're usually feral and cannot be tamed until they are at least neutered. It's very nice what you are trying to do. Please keep in mind, however, that this barn kitty probably loves her life in the barn. If you want to make her a pet as well, realize it may take some time before you can convert her to an indoor housecat. If you get the kitten early, you will have much more success. Good luck!

Answer 3

Keys:

Silence - approach quietly, humans are far too noisy for most wild animals to relax near them

Do Not Approach Directly - a direct approach will be taken as an attack, instead, approach from an angle, but do it openly, so the kitten can watch you

Do Not Make Eye Contact - this is another threatening gesture at first

Using those rules, approach, show the kitten food, leave the food, and then step as far away as you can while maintaining line-of-sight. The kitten will investigate, although it may take a few minutes. Make sure it sees you when it does. Start staying closer to the food each time. Within a few weeks, it will become more comfortable with you. There are other things you can do, as well, but those will get you started.

Answer 4

I have an eight year old barn cat & he has never been very friendly. He's a great hunter and lives mainly outdoors, no matter how hard I tried to keep him indoors. He won't even use a litter box.He's not one of those cats that plays with you. However, you should see him jump four feet in the air to try and catch a bird and he can catch a bird! Rats, too. So, if you're looking for a cudly, fun, string chasing entertainer...forget this one. He's not your guy.

Answer 5

I don't think you're going to have much luck - you need to get to the kitten by the time it's 6-8 weeks old and then it needs intense socialization by humans - the type it would get if it were in your home. Otherwise the kitten will always be skittish and a bit feral.

Answer 6

If it's not weaned then you'll probably have to wait til you can lure it out with fish or bacon. You can use a wire cage trap so it won't hurt it. Then hand feeding and spay or nuetering would give it a good chance of sticking around. Sounds like the mother may need to be spayed too?

Answer 7

I once rescued a wild kitten from a garbage dumpster. I trapped him and brought him to my house. As soon as I let him out, he darted away. I thought I would never see him again! I kept leaving food out and one day saw him eating from the bowl. What I did to tame him was to sit near the food bowl. I first started with the bowl fairly far away from me and then moved it closer and closer. It took many weeks and lots of patience but finally he let me pet him! He still doesn't let me pick him up but he is totally tame and likes humans! Good luck!

Answer 8

Mother is key Whatever mommy cat does kitten should follow. but if you aren't there enough it won't work anyway. must have more human contact or you won't every have tame cat. If you can't personally be there find someone who can.