Last week my one roomate and I rescued two adorable kittens from a shelter. We are working with the kittens everyday and they are slowly coming around. However they are still very skittish and run everytime we walk to close or they hear a loud noise. They are also hard to catch. However, when we do catch them, they are as sweet as can be. What can we do to help these kittens become more sociable?
2007-01-18 08:01:41 · 13 answers · asked by SD 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Keep doing what you are doing now. Dont chase them, that will not help the situation. Play with them, with strings and such. Interact by play and treats. They are still young and impressionable, keep at the good work.
2007-01-18 08:05:33 · answer #1 · answered by Casey B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are planning on keeping these kittens, take them in the house and keep them there. Yes, this involves getting a litter box, and teaching them to use it which is NOT hard at all.
I've never had to do anything more than introduce the kitten/cat to the litter box at first, 4 to 6 times a day, for only 1 or 2 days, and they will "get it" real quickly. Do NOT commit the "fatal mistake" of moving that litter box. Make sure where you first put it, it's going to stay there. The easiest way to socialize a rescued kitten is by ending their Outdoor days, keep them inside only, and get some kitten treats so that when you come to pick one of them up, they know it's a good thing--they're going to get some lovin' and some treats, and maybe a couple of the toys that you can play with the kittens. This will be simple as soon as they realize that nobody's going to harm them. Finally, please be responsible and take them to a vet for a 1st check up, and to set up an appointment for a spay/neuter day.
Good luck, and have fun with these little guys.
2007-01-18 09:03:33 · answer #2 · answered by sharon w 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just keep working with them like you have been. These things take some time, but it sounds like you are doing a good job. I once had a cat that was skittish for about a year (rescued her from a junk pile when she was a kitten), now I can hardly move without her bumping into me.
2007-01-18 08:24:44 · answer #3 · answered by kittymimm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just keep what you are doing now. The more they feel secure the more they will come around. But don't get discourged if it doesn't happen right away. I play music for my animals when I am away from home so that they get used to hearing something all the time. Be patient they will come around sooner or later....you could enen try a special treat once in awhile.
Good luck
2007-01-18 08:52:38 · answer #4 · answered by ♥Sparkling♥Jules♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My aunt runs her own Cat Rescue in Philadelphia where, unfortunately there are many colonies of feral(wild) cats. She deals with feral kittes A Lot. I asked her and this is what she said:
depends on HOW MUCH feral is in them.?? 2nd generation feral, third generation feral? both parents feral? or was the mom or dad just a dumped cat or stray that mated with a feral?
Also, like kids as they grow older they calm down around age two. Albert Einstein Biggelsworth (a cat ;) )was pretty feral . Got him as 5 weeks. He is just starting to deal with my touch and attention, but loves Jesse James (another cat) and they are the best buds.
You do need to just keep handling them. Don't give them a huge house to run around in . Keep confined for a few weeks in one room where you are most of the time, like your bedroom. The more room you give them, the more they can avoid you. Bedrooms are great. They will learn to sleep with you and bond. You are less threatening horizontal, vs vertical.
The other great thing to do is feed them out of your hand and only feed them out of your hand. OR wet food only out of your hand. So they learn to need you.
Interact with string toys.
2007-01-18 13:20:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the first thing they need to do is to build confidence in you and your roomate, that you're not out to harm them in any way. To help them out, never ever pull them out of their hiding places. This will cause a reverse affect. Instead try to talk them out from under the bed or lure them out with a toy. Also never chase them. That should help. If you have any questions, feel free to email...
2007-01-18 08:09:53 · answer #6 · answered by monkeysgirl04 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just handle them a little more each day and before you know it they will be coming to you for love all the time...good luck...i love when people rescue cats...i have done it many times...
2007-01-18 09:17:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
lots of playing, yummy treats and lots of love!!!!
it will take time you cant just expect them to want to be picked up! they are flee animals if they get scared they will run!
mine was a feral and now she is a lap cat!
they will come round!
2007-01-22 01:13:05 · answer #8 · answered by sarah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Handle them alot. It may be easier to do in a closed off smaller room.
2007-01-18 08:13:12 · answer #9 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
play with them more hold them in your hands and rub them very gently and you make sing them a little song like you would a child but to me they had went through alot for their sizes and plus they gotten from their mom and they want want their mom around. be their mom
2007-01-18 08:07:18 · answer #10 · answered by MRS. EDWARD FINEX 1 AND ONLY!!!! 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋