caring for a feral kitty...UPDATE...NEW PICTURE (cuteness warning!)

[Freedom]

Hi ya, Biter Man, you are CUTE!

For future reference, to calm them down put a blanket or towels over the cage, makes it feel more like a save cave. We also covered the traps when trapping ferals, to make it more like a cave and to contain that lovely smell of the salmon or other tasty tidbits in there.

You need to handle him to tame him up. At 7 to 8 weeks he is young enough to do this. You know how to scruff him by the neck? You can do this and clip his nails, will need 2 people.

After that, you do it all w/ positive reinforcement, just like training a dog. Use the toys on a stick, danglers, to get him playing. Keep him a safe distance from you, do this multiple times a day. Once every 2 days, move him closer to you.

Kittens are full of energy and love to play. Being in the crate (good job, that!), he should have plenty of energy for these play times. Won't be long he will be climbing on and over you after that toy!

[cassiesmom]

Please don't be afraid, sweetums. Everything will be fine. It is much better for you to be indoors where you can be watched, played with, talked to, oohed and aahed. You are just so stinkin CUTE!!

MoonandBean, do you think Bitey Man's mom cat is still out there? Maybe he misses her.

[mon]

Cutest little cat, can't believe how wee. Will turn around on a dime with time cuz of how young the kitten is. LOVED the pictures of the kitten. i think the sound of Sherman is more appropriate as it sounds softer. Just always talk soft and gently and bityman will not be able to resist ya before long. Well done !!!!

[MoonandBean]

Just always talk soft and gently and bityman will not be able to resist ya before long. Well done !!!!

Haha...that made me laugh. Elyse, Bitey-man actually rode to work underneath our co-workers car. I will ask her if she knows if there is a feral cat in her neighborhood. I've been worrying about the same thing

[sana]

Looks exactly like the kitten in my garden. What a darling!!!

[MoonandBean]

He's quick to adjust. We can already scratch his head, ears and back with the back scratcher. Maybe today, we will try a hand...gloved

[Medusa]

You've done a great job. He looks so harmless! I do know what little devils they can be, though. Good luck and keep up the good work.

[GILL]

Thank you for working with little guy. At that age you should be able to socialize him. after 10-15 weeks it gets harder BUT not impossible. Olive was about 4 years old and came from a feral colony. I have had her a little over a year. She now will let me give her a good head scratch and some pets. Still cringes when you reach to pet, but once you start it "all is well".
So again thank you and don't be afraid of the scratches, they heal and a hart won makes it all worth it.

[catmandu]

What a Great Little Cat of the Future you are , and we hope that you will soon get used to your new Furrever Home and your New Guardians.

What a Great Little Cat You will grow up to be. Is it too late to suggest the name Joseph.

[MoonandBean]

Thank you for working with little guy. At that age you should be able to socialize him. after 10-15 weeks it gets harder BUT not impossible. Olive was about 4 years old and came from a feral colony. I have had her a little over a year. She now will let me give her a good head scratch and some pets. Still cringes when you reach to pet, but once you start it "all is well".
So again thank you and don't be afraid of the scratches, they heal and a hart won makes it all worth it.

Thanks Gill...now that we are 99% sure that he doesn't have rabies, we can start handling him without much fear of bites and scratches. I can always get Augmentin and will heal

[lvpets2002]

Awee such a very cute wittle fellow.. You will have him social in no time at all..

[moosmom]

Great job!!!!! Kittens that age are very easy to tame. When he blinks his eyes at you, that shows he's beginning to trust you.

Another thing you can do is wrap him up in a towel with only his head exposed. Pet and kiss his head, gently talking to him. I've found that the gloves have a tendency to scare the kitties. Maybe that's why I have so many scars!!!

You're doing an awesome job MoonandBean. Thank you for taking this precious one in. Welcome to kitten season!!!

[DriftyAlison0]

Peaches is around 3-5 years old (thinking closer to five) and she used to be feral. Loves human attention and is ok with the other cats unless they get too close to her then we hear her faint hiss and she isn't afraid to smack them. (she doesn't have much of a voice poor cat).

[MoonandBean]

Texted to me by Wrangler's pawrents...

"Wrangler reading my kindle" ~~Wrangler's mom

[moosmom]

Thank you for not giving up on him!

I'm working with two feral kittens (about 13 weeks) now. They've come a long way. Unfortunately, the male has Giardia, Lung Worm and Round worms, which will be treated with antibiotics.

Spray Feliway on your shirt before taking him out to socialize him. It worked wonders for me!!!

Good luck!