So I have an adorable feral kitten, which we found Nov 22 and have been taming ever since. A week ago, we decided we needed to confine him, since we were not making a lot of progress. Since he has been confined, he has been really sweet. I can pick him up whenever, he does not hiss or scratch, etc. I pick him up several times a day and he purrs like crazy as long as I hold him. He is probably about 9 wks old now. He started trying to climb out of area we built for him, so I though I would try and take him out a little, but as soon as he got on the ground, he suddenly went back to being like he was before we confined him and it took me an hour to catch him and I got hissed at and scratched up.
How do we get him to stay tame outside the box? Should I let him out in a small room like the bathroom? How long will this take?
2006-12-03 04:45:15 · 7 answers · asked by Jessica 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
If you set him down and sit there he will run away and NOT COME BACK. It is NOT a matter of time, it does NOT work to just sit there quietly with food. It may have worked for someone somewhere with another kitten, but not this one. If he gets away from you, you have to chase him and get scratched. HE DOES NOT COME BACK ON HIS OWN. We put him in the box b/c we figured that the more time he spends being chased, the more he will be afraid of us. So when he is confined, it cannot turn into this big hour long chase, which must upset him a lot.
And no, we do not let him outside. He would be gone for good in an instant. He has been to the vet.
But basically, my cat is not like your cat and it does not come back on its own. Can anyone tell me how to deal with a cat that WILL NOT COME TO YOU NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU WAIT. Please do not assume that I do not know what my kitten will do. I have spent entire days waiting for him to come to me. IT DOES NOT WORK.
2006-12-03 05:15:18 · update #1
I think your mistake was keeping him in the box. Just take him out on your lap and sit on the floor and let him explore.
2006-12-03 04:54:08 · answer #1 · answered by I ♥ my fjords! 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My cat went nuts when I sent her to live with my sister. I was going overseas and couldn't take her with me. However, once my sister confined her to the master bathroom she calmed down. Then she let her into the bedroom. It threw her off a bit, but eventually my kitty got used to it. Every few weeks my sister would let her explore a new part of the house until she was totally comfortable in her new home. It has probably been a very upsetting time for your cat going from outdoor survival mode to indoors and being taken care of by strange giants. That is probably why the cat is more comfortable with the box. It is a safe zone. You can expand your cat's safe zone by keeping him in a small room. Try getting him a cat tree if he doesn't have one. Many of them have a cubby hole for your cat to hide in when it wants to be alone. Also, try sleeping with a towel or blanket then put it down for your cat's bed. This will help the cat associate your scent with things that are comforting. Get him some toys, too. I used to have a bedtime buddy for my cat. While she could play with it anytime she wanted, I always made sure to give her the bedtime buddy when I went to bed since she was likely to keep playing off and on during the night. It will take time for your cat to adjust, but it will be worth it in the end.
2006-12-03 05:58:41 · answer #2 · answered by Laoshu Laoshi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He needs to explore his new surroundings that's what cats do. Also associate food with you and lots of love. He will settle down over time.
You must remember that all he has known is this box that you have him in. He has to figure out that the rest of the house will not bite him. Do not get him excited or he will go on the defensive and bite and scratch and don't you get excited that will set him to. If he gos and hides he will come out because he will need to eat. Feed him dry food and touch it so you sent is on it.
It just takes time.
2006-12-03 06:04:21 · answer #3 · answered by Christy C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he were Feral,.. you would not have him or could never tame him.
Are you letting him out doors?
Does he fit in your hand? If not he might be older then you think and may need to be neutered. You should have taken him to the Vet by know but,.. just incase you haven't... do so.
Added: Have water out for him. Do not leave normal cat food out for him at this time. Drop torn up lunch meat [Ham, Turkey, Chicken]. When you put soft/canned food out,.. put it on a plate so you can put it in the fridge when he doesn't eat it around you. This will get across to him you are now his parent or leader.
It's normal for Kittens to run around like Maniacs instead of just plopping down and passing out on you. Some Kittens don't feel like being social and affectionate with people... even if they aren't feral. I have a Cat that I bought from a Breeder that we didn't even see for months because she would hide from us,.. so YES I know what it's like to have a cat that is scitterish and hides. (Her breeder was a moron). I had to figure out fears she had,.. like she is scared if her paws are not touching something and she was scared of being upside down. You can confine him to a room and force him into physical attention,.. with rubs behind the ears and on top oh his butt where his tail tail is attached to his body.
2006-12-03 04:55:01 · answer #4 · answered by sailortinkitty 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
kitty is wild. he will always be wild in some ways. he sounds as if he likes being cooped up--safe away from other animals--i would recommend keeping him indoors --you only just found him--it takes a long time to tame a feral kitty--they need to know they are secure and safe so no other things will kill them--
feral cats make good boat kitties, because they are confined, they are safe and they are in charge of their situation--same as indoor only kitties.keep him in your room with you for a while--might help speed p the adaptation process.and will give him a confined space in which to explore and get to know you and your family's smells--part of the taming process.
let him know the inside of your home--he will come around--he is only 9 weeks old--still a baby. make yourself his momms by grabbing him by the scruff of his neck, rub your chin over his head and neck as if you were bathing him--like his mom used to do--he will adapt to you then you will be able to teach him what to do as a mother figure instead of some human not his family.
be patient with him--he will become quite nice for you--in time.takes about a month.
2006-12-03 04:59:10 · answer #5 · answered by z-hag 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, get him fixed. You will be astounded how much that calms a cat down. For a male cat it's fairly inexpensive (some Humane Societies even give vouchers) and they usually don't even have to stay in the hospital overnight.
Second, keep him inside. Outside, he has to rely on his wits and hierarchy to survive. Inside, he will be healthier, tamer, and much happier.
2006-12-03 05:50:40 · answer #6 · answered by Voodoid 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say keep doing what you are doing sonn he will realize that his bad behavour gets him put in the small area which he does not seem to like. It's just like putting a small child in time out
2006-12-03 04:55:06 · answer #7 · answered by pookypoo1999 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋