I recently caught a feral kitten, roughly 3 months old. I've been working at taming her, initially by feeding her outside and petting her when she ate, and then by keeping her in a large cage inside, taking her out to pet and play, feeding her, and slowly introducing her to the smaller rooms in my apartment.
Problem is, I need to go out of town for a three night period, so I'm concerned with how my absence will affect the taming process and what I can do to temper that by keeping her occupied. I figure I can ask a neighbor to check on her food and water, but beyond that, the neighbor might freak her out. I'm loathe to leave her in the cage should she react poorly to using the litter box. But I'm loathe to let her wander around the apartment as well, as that will freak her out. I could limit her to the one room she's familiar with, leaving the cage open, and making a make-shift wall, but who knows.
Any thoughts much appreciated
2007-10-05 04:14:55 · 6 answers · asked by err2525 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Your last suggestion is best, limit to a room.
I've caught (live-trapped) a few ferals from industrial areas and your cat doesn't seem too feral to me.
I caught a cat 6 yrs. ago who to this day is scurrying about my house with the other cats and I have NEVER touched him,.. still so wild and fearful.
My system is, once trapped, I take to vet in trap-cage,. he tranquilize in cage, "fix" cat after check over then return to cage while sedated.
I bring home and release cat in a small set-up room (bathroom) with litter box, feed/water, bedding, etc. Slowly and ever so gradually entering to check until familiar with human.
With kittens (under 3 mths.) I keep in a large/ex/large dog kennel with small basin for litter box, blanket, feed.
Kittens are so much more faster to tame.
If I can pet them and they respond without fear, then I let them have free roam.
So I think you're kitty's pretty hand tame already.
2007-10-05 04:56:38 · answer #1 · answered by deltadawn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try introducing her to the bathroom or kitchen before you go. Then when you leave, leave the cage open and try to find one of those little boxes with the hole on on side and keep it in the cage. I forget what they are called, but you can definitely find it at a Petsmart or something similar. Then just block off the exit to the kitchen, she will be able to explore as she pleases, hide when she wants (in her cube, put a towel or something in it for her to lay with/on) and if she does go to the bathroom on the floor it will be an easy cleanup, but you may be surprised to find she does take well to the litter box.
This has worked well for our dogs, and we have done it many many times. Good luck!
2007-10-05 05:05:10 · answer #2 · answered by SlixX 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a friend that can stay with the kitten when you're gone? Or I'd hire a petsitting service and have someone stay with the kitten. At this stage I'd be leery of leaving the poor thing alone for most of the day/night. Good for you on taking on this challenge!
2007-10-05 04:19:53 · answer #3 · answered by pixy_stix 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I tamed Skeeter last year.Best thing I done.Took time,but it happened.I agree with u, one room,make shift wall.Plenty of water,food,litter.Maybe a friend to come and check upon progress.But make sure they don't allow it out.I'm proud of u for taking on this challenge.Not many have the heart or time.That would give her time to sniff things out.But don't be mad to come home and find that room upside down OK.Taming skeeter was not easy, but it did happen.I applaud u.
2007-10-05 04:31:55 · answer #4 · answered by petshaven 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How historic are they? four to five months and they'll be able to begin mating so begin considering down the avenue approximately this. Call your neighborhood animal manage and even pest manage or SPCA and spot if you'll be able to borrow or hire a humane entice to seize them for spay neuter and the mum! One of the matters to do for scared cats is learn to them. Seriously. Take a e-book out doorways and take a seat and browse it out loud. Rescue businesses do that with shy cats on the grounds that they get used on your voice, you do not appear them within the eye (that is fine that you just knew to not!) and out of the nook of your eye in case you see one you maintain studying and you'll be able to contact them and puppy them. Can your boyfriend make a residence for them to maintain them out of the elements? Even a small puppy apartment or igloo might paintings. If you desire them to bond with you put on an historic tee blouse for the weekend. Sweat in it, do not wash it and positioned it within the bedding so the cats have your smell. In ferals, there is no telling which of them will desire to come back interior (use kitten Advantage on them first). I stuck 3. Two brothers had been maniacs and the vet had to make use of leather-based gloves to get them out of the cage to neuter them. They needed to be published once more. Their sister however was once so completely satisfied to be interior trustworthy and touched and feature constant meals she was once spayed and followed in 3 weeks! So a few will come round and be fine pets and a few may not ever. Bless you for being concerned and attempting! Good good fortune!
2016-09-05 18:38:54 · answer #5 · answered by richberg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your last suggestion of keeping her in the one room with the cage is the best I think.
2007-10-05 13:25:59 · answer #6 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋