What do you do with a feral kitten?
Do NOT take the kittens to an animal shelter. See if a friend or family member can care for them, or contact local rescues, animal protection groups, or advocates. You may be able to find such advocates near you through Alley Cat Allies’ Feral Friends Network®.
How do you welcome a feral kitten?
5 Ways to Help a Semi-Feral Cat Adjust to a Domestic Home
- Have a Dedicated Cat Room. When you bring your new cat home, have a safe room ready with all of your new cat’s amenities ready and waiting for her.
- Put Food to Use.
- Avoid Eye Contact.
- Don’t Force Physical Contact.
- Have Patience.
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When should I start handling my feral kitten?
The optimal time to quickly tame feral kittens is between four and eight weeks, their natural weaning period. There are many biological reasons that make kittens emotionally predisposed to accepting humans so readily at this age.
Can I take in a stray kitten?
DON’T bring the kittens indoors unless you have to. Unless they’re in danger, it’s best to leave stray kittens outside so the mother cat can comfort them upon her return.
What diseases can stray kittens carry?
Stray kittens can also carry various infectious diseases that can be transmitted to other cats in the household, such as feline leukemia virus, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus. Overall, the risks from adopting stray kittens are low, but they are real.
What can I do to keep my kittens away from feral cats?
Play with the kittens using “kitty tease” toys (a tiny piece of cloth tied to a string that is tied to a small stick) or lightweight cat toys. Don’t leave the “kitty tease” alone with the kittens, as kittens will often swallow string. This can be fatal.
Is it possible to tame a feral kitten?
Those adult stray cats that were once owned, or feral cats of quiet temperament, may sometimes be tamed with patience. But a feral kitten is often easily tamed if it is captured young enough. Considering the short, miserable lives that feral cats suffer, those kittens that can be tamed and adopted by humans are indeed lucky.
What to do with a semi feral cat?
Because of this, when you embark on your adventure with your semi-feral cat, remember to be patient and to respect their space. Understand that socializing a semi-feral is a process, and it won’t happen overnight. But with patience, respect, and lots of treats, your semi-feral can grow to love you, too!
Why are feral cats not used to being indoors?
Feral cats are not used to being indoors. This means that the cat may become frustrated and act destructively. Remove anything of value from the cat’s new territory.
What’s the best way to tame a feral kitten?
If you do not separate the kittens, your rate of success goes way down and the time it takes to tame that kitten will go way up. Place each kitten into its own large kennel, along with a comfy place to sleep, a litter box, and dry food and water.
How old do feral cats have to be to be tame?
Having a rough estimate of the feral cat’s age can let you know how easy or difficult it may be to tame her. Feral kittens, particularly those younger than 10 to 12 weeks old, are usually easily tamable. Older feral cats who have been feral for a long time will be most difficult to tame, if you can tame them at all.
Because of this, when you embark on your adventure with your semi-feral cat, remember to be patient and to respect their space. Understand that socializing a semi-feral is a process, and it won’t happen overnight. But with patience, respect, and lots of treats, your semi-feral can grow to love you, too!
Can a feral kitten eat a piece of string?
Cats can eat a long piece of string and eventually wind up with a very expensive vet bill, if not death. It is common for feral kittens to become attached to their caregiver, but still act feral around newcomers. Once your kitten is comfortable being held, invite other people in your household or friends to hold, play, and feed the kitten.
