There are high chances the cat is hungry, and will positively respond to being fed. My mother and her partner hate cats, but I love them, and mine died only 13 days ago. When it comes to feral kittens, it’s best to make sure that you as a human don’t do anything too extreme. It’s honestly the surefire way to help prevent a cat from dying. Place the kitten for adoption in a suitable adoptive home. The feral cats develop aggressive behavior as they are non-sprayed or non-neutered. However, the feline’s behavior could still change time after time. You should wait for them at about 4-6 weeks since they can be taken by the mom at that point. Remember that to the kitten you may be a predator; the kitten may think it is fighting for its life. Copy link. Socialized cats are ones that can be up for adoption. Some behaviors of feral cats are commonly observed, although there is disagreement among veterinarians, rescuers and researchers on the prevalence of some. You can try this method I have used with several kittens who behaved like your kitten: Set up a small room with no beds or sofas to hide under as a nursery. Experts widely agree that for kittens with a domesticated mother, 13 weeks is the appropriate time for separation. Feral cats are afraid of humans, avoid eye contact, live outdoors, and get aggressive when handled by humans. This is because they’re super terrified of humans. Alley Cat Allies does not, in general, recommend trying to socialize a feral kitten over 4 months of age. Outdoor cats have co-existed with humans for at least 10,00 years, and therefore need some form of protection. Although feral cats live outdoors and exhibit wild behavior, they are not completely independent. Continue to talk to the kitten if it won't let you stroke it. Use TNR in order to trap all of them so that they can get neutered and release, and prevent the colony from growing. Many times you can trap these kittens and then release them. It’s best not to put too much stock in the cats if they end up not being super friendly. With TNR though, the mother won’t be killed off, but instead, she’s returned to the outdoor area. They will not approach you, and they’ll actively seek hiding places so that they can avoid you, which is why people usually find feral kittens underneath buildings or in small places away from humans. eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'archiecat_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',603,'0','0']));Another hurdle feral cats face is the threat of contracting infectious diseases as a result of eating from trash cans. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'archiecat_com-netboard-1','ezslot_16',625,'0','0'])); It is easier to socialize feral kittens than adults. eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'archiecat_com-leader-4','ezslot_8',601,'0','0']));Feral cats are usually born to abandoned cats, and thus grow up without close contact with humans, making it difficult for them to be socialized. Giving them more time will make them feel more secure, and it’s perfect for if you’re worried about how a feral kitten may act. Share. That’s because of the following: On another note, you should always make sure that if the kitten is still timid, you keep them out of a large room. Socialized cats are fully domesticated and comfortable around humans, while feral cats have had little to no human contact and are basically wild animals. Notice the cat’s behaviors and character. They can … Feral Cat Behaviour - YouTube. If a kitten bites a human they may have to be euthanized. Make sure that if you trap them, you get all of the kittens and the mother cat if possible. Whether you are a veterinary, cat lover, or regularly bump across community cats in your neighborhood, it’s important to learn feral cat behavior, know how to protect them, and dispel feral feline myths. All Rights Reserved. Some of the factors include the following: When handling feral kittens you may see this too, especially if you’re looking to trap them and socialize them. Remember, these guys need to be taught to be comfortable around others, and you may not even notice them purr for a bit, and the nice thing is, that virtually anyone can socialize a kitten, but if you do it before 2 months of age it might need more time. It cannot be placed in a home environment. Observing the cat’s body language during the first few days is one additional point in how to tame a feral cat. The process can be broken down in these simple steps: Give the kitten food using your hand, and they will associate your presence with food. Wait for the cat to approach you before you can pet it. A female cat will thus face an endless cycle of pregnancy. A kitten may be born feral, but later it is adopted by a human, socialized, and grows into a friendly adult cat. With feral kittens, you should take time with them. But the problem is.. jeez, I know my mum was trying to do good, but first. Wild in the Streets: The Life and Health of Stray and Feral Cats. Twitter; Print; Email; Thinkstock. When you handle feral kittens, the first thing that you’ll want to do is make sure that you work with the least aggressive one. The males become more aggressive and hostile after attaining maturity. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'archiecat_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_10',194,'0','0']));In this article, I will explain how to tell the difference between feral and stray cats, so that you know how to best interact with them. Create a designated room, and fill it with supplies such as water, toys, a blanket, and a litter box. All articles are carefully fact-checked and edited by an editor before they are published. They are usually terrified of humans. Here are a few things that you will want to remember when it comes to feral kittens. Trap and realease programs (TNR) can help quell feral kitten and cat populations. They are quiet kittens, playful to a degree with toys and bugs and other cats, but they don't knock things over, fly through the air over furniture and trash a room like kittens born inside. A stray cat does not have an ear tip. They tend to avoid being touched, but may vocalize when around humans or … Their behavior might seem avoidant, scared, or even aggressive -- but with enough patience and the right kind of care, they can often come around and become loving companions. You cannot tame an adult feral cat, but you can socialize a feral kitten. Shopping. You’re saving the lives of many, and you’re definitely going to really help a feral kitten. Stray cats are known to exhibit more open behavior towards humans, including making eye contact and even approaching a human. If it is re-introduced into a home, the stray cat can become a pet cat. In the best-case scenario, you can trap the mother and kittens and then begin to work with the kittens at 3-weeks-old until they are old enough to be fixed and adopted. The first thing you’ll want to make sure is that you’re very careful with handling them. However, there are some other factors that come about and that’s the following: That’s because a feral kitten is fighting for their life. Behavior and ecology. All monies donated go to the care of feral cats, with a large portion going to the vet for medical bills. Socializing is time consuming, especially for older kittens, and results are not guaranteed. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'archiecat_com-portrait-1','ezslot_18',611,'0','0']));On the other hand, an adult indoor cat may be abandoned, start living on its own outdoors, and begin to act in an unsocialized way. 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