The poor little guy is completely afraid of me, which is natural to expect, however, I was just wondering if there was any good advice on how to make him feel comfortable/safe or to maybe help him adapt a bit better?
2007-12-04 10:11:11 · 11 answers · asked by Kelsette 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
As much as you want to handling the little guy is not going to help much at this moment, get kitty settled into a quiet room, a spare room with no traffic in and out ( meaning people)
Set up a litter box, food and water dish, also set up a bed of sorts inside a enclosed cardboard box that has two entries ( this is a secluded haven for kitty) for the cat, don't try to get the cat if it happens to go in, he needs someplace to feel safe.
Next, this takes time, is all in how you approach the kitty, cats have multiple motivators such as food, play and grooming. Figuring out what motivates the kitten will take a little trial and error. Tempting kitty with a feather wand or tasty treat to win affection is all in the approach.
Approach kitty on his level by wither sitting or laying on the floor, speak quietly and see what the reaction is.
Staring at a cat is a aggressive behavior so squint when looking
Blinking means hi
Yawning is another friendly gesture
Get kitty used to your presence without touching at first, remember you are a giant to him
if you must touch use a feather wand cat toy at first
tempt with play and or food
I used to read to my cat to get him used to me
I won him over my grooming by the way using a plastic slicker brush
at first I could only touch his whiskers, but slowing I worked my way under his chin and over the rest of his body
Patience, time and love are the key
good luck
2007-12-04 12:36:09 · answer #1 · answered by twylajane1 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Having the run of the whole house is over whelming to her. First thing would be to get her contained to one room with food, water, litter box, scratching post and some safe "alone" toys. That will allow you to monitor how much she is eating and her to eat when she feels safe (when you are not around) As for dealing with a feral it is going to take time and patients. 5 moths is fairly old to be pulled from a feral colony and make a good pet. The environment she was put into didn't promote trust in humans either. Once she is settled into her room introduce her to one of your cats preferably the most laid back who will not stress at being temporarily contained to the kittens room. Once she has established a relationship with your cat seeing that cat interact with you and come to no harm may help. Depending in the kitten she may never be "tame" she may get to the point she can comfortably live in the house with out stressing but may never want to have physical human contact. Some feral may never get to even this point and do best as barn cats provided food and medical care and shelter but not forced to be around humans for the most part Just a note the conditions you saw are a prime example of no kill shelters trying to take on more than than can handle and making conditions worse for the animals. The conditions are are describing are prime for causing kennel stress to the point euthanasia is the most humane thing. Edit: For and extra room the bathroom would be a good choice as long as you have enough room for her food bowls and litter box. Its a room you are in and out of several times a day so she gets use to you being around but she will be left to her own devises to settle in for the rest of the day.
2016-04-07 08:47:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does he have his own room? He should, a whole house is a bit over whelming to a feral. Give him his own space with everything he needs, food water litterbox bed toys etc. that is not in a room your family walks in and out of constantly but is still located close to where you spend most of your time
Just let him do what he wants and give him time, it takes about two weeks for cats to acclimate to changes in their world, give him about a month since it was such a big change and he should be ok
2007-12-04 10:18:07 · answer #3 · answered by cnw002 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Time. It will take TIME.
Honestly, I'm not sure whether you should 'force' contact or just let him come to you -- hopefully someone who KNOWS will tell you. But I do know it will take time -- just don't despair.
A friend of mine rescued 3 feral kittens. When they were young I visited her and I never even SAW the kittens, all they did was hide in terror. A year later I went back to visit -- and I was SURROUNDED by 3 of the friendliest, most outgoing kitties ever! I couldn't even sit down without having 3 kitties in my lap! The change was astounding.
So, don't give up, give them time.
Best of luck to you -- and THANK YOU for rescuing him!
2007-12-04 10:24:47 · answer #4 · answered by luvrats 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
hi, i tamed an adult feral cat using the "Little Prince" method as I like to call it. (Please refer to where the fox tames the Prince) Make yourself predictable to the kitten. Bring food at predictable times and sit quietly nearby when he is eating. Allow him to make the first move towards you. Advance a few inches closer to the food each day until he can eat with you sitting quietly next to him. Then slowly start advancing your hands until he is ok with you touching him and then finally petting him. This took me 6 months with my cat. Eventually he will learn that you are predictable and a source of good things, and will accept you into his life. Then they are crazy loving and you would never believe that they were once feral. Don't worry cats are the most practical critter around and they certainly aren't shy about training us, so he should come around with time. Good luck and thanks so much for taking this little guy in!
2007-12-04 10:25:12 · answer #5 · answered by dedum 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First let him come to you, it will happen. If he finds a place that he feels comfortable, just talk to him no fast moves. Always talk in the same tone. Keep his food and water in the same place always. When he does start coming out to see you, dont force him to stay in anyone place, he will choose your lap of his own accord. It takes alot of time and patience. He will love you forever. Mine are still skittish when there are strangers around, but less with people whom visit often.
2007-12-04 10:18:24 · answer #6 · answered by Jodie L J 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make sure he has a bed - even just a box on it's side that he can climb in and out of. Cats like to be sheltered. Put a jumper or something that smells of you in it. Just let him settle in his own time , don't fuss him too much and he should start to feel more comfortable.
2007-12-04 10:16:16 · answer #7 · answered by Bexter1974 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Taming is key. Everything in your home/environment must be associated with comfort and protection, as well as your behavior. I believe that the kitten will see you as a parent when he/she sees you are the food provider and cleans out the litter box. Pet her gently and allow her to explore on her own, no force behavior! Oh yes, please check out this page on important nutrition info:
http://kidsandtheirpets.blogspot.com
2007-12-04 10:15:51 · answer #8 · answered by Quentpoy 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You can get him his favorite food, some toys, a bed, and give him the things he wants.
2007-12-04 10:55:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get some friends who do have other cats and lt yor cat explor around and let him meet people.Or get another kittin for a play mate
2007-12-04 10:15:31 · answer #10 · answered by Kelsang 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋