I tried to pick it up and hold him/her, and he/she hissed at me!
2007-06-18 15:16:14 · 10 answers · asked by soccer_master15 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Be patient, just let them get used to you. Pick them up regularly and show them you aren't goin to hurt them when you do it. Pat them while they are eating so they get used to being touched and associate it with good things like food. They may take a while but the kittens will grow to love you.
2007-06-18 15:20:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Food is usually the answer. Be the one who feeds them, and pet them while they are eating. Give them a tiny treat any time you pick them up, something like a morsel of kitten food or a drop of tuna juice. Be sure that every time you pick the kittens up, something nice happens, so they will associate you with good things and become eager to see you.
Pick them up gently, supporting their body with one hand and their feet with the other, so their feet are not hanging in mid-aor, and lift them slowly. They'll be more at ease if you sit down and hold them on your lap. Kittens are afraid of being dropped. Talk to them quietly in a gentle voice, like you would talk to a human baby.
Just take your time with them and they'll become gentle. It sounds like they weren't handled much when they were tiny or that their mother was a stray ot homeless cat.
2007-06-18 22:26:48 · answer #2 · answered by Kayty 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they're only weeks old, walking, eyes open that sort of thing, you really just need to take your time with them. Sit on the floor, let them check you out before you attempt to pick them up. When you feel like they're pretty calm with you being there, pick one up, gently, and don't go at them with your hands quickly, it probably frightens them. Stick him/her on your lap and let them roam around, being careful of course that they don't tumble off your leg or anything. Be patient, play with them, drag a mouse, string or nearly anything gets a baby kitten excited, if they're into playing yet, and not just roaming around. Leave a shirt or something that smells like you, with the kittens, in their bed, so they can get used to your scent. They'll warm up to you. Even baby feral cats would warm up eventually. Just keep an eye on them, and use your judgement to see if you're scaring them, by picking them up quickly or moving in suddenly. When you are able to hold them, hold them with both hands, close to your heart, under your neck or by your shoulder, that's where they feel safest.
2007-06-18 23:33:20 · answer #3 · answered by artists_eye 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe this indirect & doesn't apply in your case -- I've always had Cats, & the thing is if you ALREADY have a Cat & a new arrival (kitten) SEES you & Cat comfortable together, he/she'll be immediately at ease. compared to: only kitten & you as "some strange species"! In same way -- puppies will be quieter when see a Dog already in the House, etc.
(by-the-way I recently picked as my avatar pic of the late Steve Irwin holding a Tiger kitten -- a bit coincidental, no?)
2007-06-18 22:51:09 · answer #4 · answered by jay ess 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give them a little time to get used to their surroundings. When it is feeding time i would put a little in your hand and let the kitten come to you. Also find something to put your scent on like an old blanket or something. This will help the kittens get to know you too.
2007-06-18 22:21:57 · answer #5 · answered by Calico L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just take your time and do not push to hard.. but pick it up as often as possible.. try and make it feel secure without over welming it at the same time.. a pet here.. a pat there... in just a few days it will love you to pieces.
2007-06-18 22:22:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk gently to kitty. And tame her with wonderful, tasty treats. While she is eating the treat, try massaging her smoothly and slowly. She will eventually come around and let you pick her up and will come to love you. Just be kind, don't yell at her and be gentle always.
2007-06-18 22:22:31 · answer #7 · answered by Gina F 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give it time, she was just seperated from the only home she's ever known, brought to a strange place with no one she knows to comfort her. Give her some space, stay close to her, but let her come to you first, if you go rushing at her, it'll just scare her first. Put yourself in her shoes.
Good luck. Remeber, she's just a baby and babies require patience.
2007-06-18 22:24:03 · answer #8 · answered by pikadash 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just set on teh floor adn let tehm aproach you. treats would be a help or when you feed them try to feed them by hand so they can ge t to know you.
Dont feed tehm unless tehy come to you like put teh dish on teh floor and set right next to it. it may take a day or two but tehy won't usually starvel
they should learn you won't hurt them and they should learn to trust you if you are the one feeding them. Be patient.
Talk to them in a low calm voice.
2007-06-18 22:22:57 · answer #9 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you need to gain their trust... just sit by them for a little bit and then inch closer..or you could try treats...get some ham from the deli counter at your grocery store...bribery always works..at least it has with me and my pets ..
2007-06-18 22:21:50 · answer #10 · answered by mom of two 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋