How We Socialize Feral Kittens

The new born kittens that my husband and I rescued were socialized to be trusting of humans quickly. We handled them daily, first with heavy leather gloves and then barehanded. We petting them under their chin, top of head and on side of face by ear. We also ran a cat brush through their fur gently. The entire time that we handled them we talked to the kittens softly.

Husband holding 7 week old feral cat

At first we needed to wear heavy leather gloves because the kittens were fearful and wanted to bite and scratch us. But after three times of holding them we were able to stimulate their appetite and coax the kittens to us with bonito fish flake treats and soon the kittens were in our lap.

By the time the kittens were 8 weeks old you would never know that they were born outdoors inside a hallow tree. All kittens were very human friendly, running in in-between our legs, purring when we petted them.

Feral Cat Tips:

By taking time to handle the feral kittens we were socializing them to not be fearful of humans. We held all kittens several times a day. My husband held the kittens while he watched TV and many of them fell asleep while being held.

Holding feral kittens makes them less fearful of humans

Feral cats are generally afraid of everything, but if you are able to foster kittens before they are 12 weeks old then you will be able to bond with kitten and they will trust a human and not be fearful.

Know that I find it is easier to socialize a feral cat that is six months or younger. That is not to say an adult cat cannot be tamed, all cats can be tamed to trust a human. Know that a friend of mine worked with your feral barn cats for a good year and then told me the other day that all were dependent upon her for food and water and that she was able to pet them without them being fearful of her.

Socializing Tips for Feral Kittens

Socializing a feral kitten is easier than an adult cat however the taming process does take time. In order to be successful the trainer must remain calm and provide the cat with positive energy. 

Charlie and Notti are feral kittens that were rescued when their mother was injured and we needed to take her in for emergency care.  The two kittens suffered from being separated from their mother.  When our veterinarian examined the kittens he advised me to release them because he found them too be too wild. 

I do not always do what I am told and did not give up on the feral kittens, even thought the socializing period was traumatic.  The kittens had not been weaned and we had to trap and cage them to feed them. 

The kittens did not like being handled by a human and they spit out the formula.  Along with their behavior issues they were both crying loudly for their mother.   

Both kittens showed improvement within a few days as they did not fight us when my husband and I tried to feed them. They were dependent upon us and were adjusting to their new surroundings even thought they were still a little scared.

Socializing Progress Report:

The feral kittens are dependent upon me and are getting friendlier.  The orange tabby kitten that I call Charlie has shown me some affection; sits on my desk and watches me while I work on the computer.  Sometimes he will tap my hand with his paw before running to hide behind the trashcan.  Notti will walk close to me and rub her head on my leg. 

6 week old kittens playing/ Notti on top

Both kittens were introduced to small catnip toys and a cat scratcher.  The toys enabled me to interact with the kittens and to build a stronger bond of trust.

Save Lives by Rescuing Feral Kittens

Save a feral kitten's life by being aware of kitten populations in your neighborhood and take steps to rescue them from a life of hardship.

 If you live in an area where it is continually warm then female unaltered cats will reproduce repetitively and when the kittens are weaned at approximately 8 weeks these feral kittens will seek food and shelter in residential neighborhoods, parks or woodland areas.  Feral kittens will be viewed playing in yards and gardens, eating out of dog’s food bowl, drinking the water in the pond, walking on your car and setting up a shelter under you deck.  Some kittens will venture out into the streets. Other kittens will be chased by a stray dog and some kittens will be hunted by wildlife. 

Only a few feral kittens survive living outdoors as the life expectancy of a feral cat is no more than two to three years. Some feral kittens will be saved from a life of hardship because you trapped and then socialized them before finding the feral kittens a forever home.  Take the steps that are needed to save feral kitten lives.    

How you can save a feral kittens life:

From a distance watch the kittens in your neighborhood.  Feral kittens look like domesticated cats, they are cute, playful and their coat is well groomed.  However feral kittens that are born outdoors are terrified of humans and are not friendly.  

Determine if the kitten is feral or friendly also look for the mother cat, she may be out looking for food or she may be watching her kittens at a distance.  Study the kittens by watching and waiting.  If mother cat is not available then try to lure the kitten to you with food and water.  

Put on heavy duty leather work gloves.  If the kitten approaches you and is friendly then this kitten may have been born indoors and put outside after it was weaned.  Pick up the kitten with your gloved hands by grabbing it by the scruff.  Put the kitten in a carrier.  If the kittens show caution and hisses or shows you their claws then this kitten is feral and they are sending you a warning; “I am afraid of you, please keep away from me or I will bite or scratch you”

The safest and most effective way to save a feral kittens life is to set up a live animal medium size  trap.  If you do not have a medium sized  trap then contact your local cat network, veterinarian, or cat rescue to see if you can borrow one.  Or you can buy a feral cat trap. Be a hero and save a feral or stray kittens life. 

 

Tips:
Never grab a feral kitten with your bare hands.  They will scratch you or bite you. Wear a secure fitting heavy duty work gloves. 

Do not trap a feral kitten if you do not know what you are doing. Learn more about feral cats by joining Alley Cat Allies.  As a member you will be able to contact feral cat caregivers or trappers in your community and these caregivers will be able to assist you with trapping.

Become a colony caregiver and trap feral cats for sterilization, and vaccines. Enlist volunteers to help you with the colony needs; daily feedings, fresh water and providing shelter if need be.  

Save feral cat and kitten’s lives by spaying or neutering.