There is a family of kittens next door that I would like to keep 1 or 2 of them. how do i get them to trust me? i have started putting out bowls of milk to get them to come over, what else can i do?
The mother is with them, and since I'm normally a dog person and have never owned a cat, I have no idea of the age. They are still nursing
before anyone asks :-) i know they're not my neighbors cats because he moved out months ago due to illness. no one lives there now.
2007-06-12 05:45:54 · 9 answers · asked by Ms Pepsi 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
What I did was started feeding the momma kitty canned cat food along with dry.
The momma kitty eventually moved all five of her kittens into my garage. It got to the point where all I had to was tap a fork on the top of the can of cat food and all six of them would come running.
2007-06-12 05:50:50 · answer #1 · answered by Ani 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does the mother cat trust you? If not you'll probably have to trap them. The kittens will take their lead from the mother cat in how much you can be trusted.
First though, don't give them milk. Use Lactaid. Cats can't tolerate lactose and it will make them sick (throwing up, diarrhea etc...
The best way to get them to trust you is to go outside at a regular time (when you feed them) and sit on the ground near the food. See how close you can have the food dish near you and get them to eat. Then try moving it closer every few days. If they won't come to the dish, move it back and try again another time. talk to them quietly while doing this. The idea is to get them used to your presence. Work on the mother to, as they will take their level of trust from her. This can take a while and it takes patience.
If you don't want to wait, you can go to the shelter nearest you and buy/rent a trap cage. It costs up to $60 dollars and is the quickest way to trap them. I'd wait until they're a little bigger. If they're out and about with their mother, they're probably at least six weeks old. 10 weeks is the earliest you should separate them from their mother, but with strays, you do what you can.
Good luck!
2007-06-12 06:04:55 · answer #2 · answered by Pooka 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, don't put out milk. The mama's milk and cows' milk is not the same and could cause diarrhea. Put out some kitten chow mixed with very warm water and just a little bit of canned cat food. When she starts weaning, they will be hungry and come over. When you put the food out, go inside after yelling something like, "Food, kitty kitties!" Make it the same call each time. After some time, start staying outside when you see them, but at a comfortable distance. Slowly shorten the distance as they quit running from you. When you are able to stand next to the bowl without them running, gently touch them as they eat. As time goes on, they will allow you to pet them as they eat. And then they will allow you to pet them at other times. It requires patience and time.
2007-06-12 05:59:40 · answer #3 · answered by Scoots 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't give them milk, you'll give them diarrhea. Get some cat foot (kitten food would be best). If they are walking around, they are probably between 5 and 8 weeks.
Be quiet and try to touch them when they come near. Never stare at them or the mother. If you catch one looking at you, slowly close your eyes and then open them again. Or look away. Staring at a cat is challenging it and signals danger.
They will probably warm up to you if you keep feeding them. You might want to call your local Humane Society and see if there is a live trapping program in your area. They will set humane traps and capture the momma and any babies, then get them their shots and get them fixed.
Good luck! :)
2007-06-12 05:52:27 · answer #4 · answered by searching_please 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I took in a stray kitten myself. I didn't trap it - I let it come to me instead. I've read that it is important for a kitten to go through a natural weaning process, psychologically important to the cat (better disciplined).
What I did was to start feeding the mother cat. She began to bring over the babies when they were old enough for solid food (they were eight weeks old). I gave them little bits of food, so they would get closer and closer with each little bit. Eventually, they came inside.
2007-06-12 08:28:27 · answer #5 · answered by Jessica J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, don't give them milk. Cow milk is not good for cats. Put out some soft cat food for them. Since the mom is wild, it will be a challenge to get any of them to trust you. But if you feed them, they'll start coming around and maybe will eventually let you pet them.
2007-06-12 05:52:45 · answer #6 · answered by Nasubi 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If she continues to be nursing she must be eating kitten food. Our vet reported they desire it with the aid of food they're loosing through nursing. You shouldalso wean that kitten completely so she has sufficient food to guard her new clutter and herself. that's a probability she is pregnant and extremely probable. Cats can get pregnant thenext time they pass in warmth which coudld be justa litttle whilst after the delivery of their clutter. Cats are basically pregnant for 2 months so i could shop her interior in case you think of shes pregnant and wait 2 months and u will locate out=). that's strangle yet a probability to get pregnant by technique of greater suitable than one "daddy cat" and often the 2d clutter are aborted whilst the 1st is added. Its no longer that easy yet its is a probability so in case you think of shes pregnant shop her in till sh has the kittens and the kittens are weaned and he or she gets fixed. I took in a stray who had kittens and each little thing went wonderful. She did cry and lok for her kittens however while they left which broke myheart. It took hera whilst and he or she replaced into under pressure or maybe developed dandruff=( yet they she replaced into okayand back to commonly used. i actually now have yet another one that has 3 weekold kittens. Like theother, she would be waiting to be fixed while the kittens are weaned. good success, and function exciting with the aid of fact kittens are wonderful part be conscious: you may't vaccinate a pregnant or nursing cat. so please do no longer supply her photos till the kittens are weaned.
2016-12-12 19:05:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
just feed them and little by little bring the food closer to you every day and if they hungrey enough they will come plus they will smell it but dont try to pet the kittens until the mom is used to you and will let you pet her and one more thing STOP feeding them milk and BE CAREFUL!
hope this helps!!
good luck!!!
2007-06-12 06:03:30 · answer #8 · answered by ~*~Tinkerbell~*~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DONT put out milk...............water is fine. Undiluted milk is too strong for them. Dont chase them, just get them used to seeing you everyday, talk to them......gradually, they will be used to seeing you and come to you when ready. Cats are too nosy to ignore you !!! They make wonderful pets......I have 3 cats, all strays.
2007-06-12 05:55:16 · answer #9 · answered by Kit Kat 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋