how to rehab a feral kitten

What's the best way to help feral cats?

The quickest way to a stray cat’s heart is through her stomach, according to research. The best course of action for stray cats is to feed them and give them with plenty of fresh water as soon as possible. Once the cat discovers that you are a source …

How to treat fleas on feral cats and kittens?

Many experts agree that one of the best ways to help feral cats and cat groups -- called colonies -- is through neutering programs. Trap-Neuter-Return Programs: The Key to Helping Cats...

Is it OK to pick up a feral cat?

Oct 26, 2019 · In this video, I give you 11 tips for working with hissy feral kittens. Watch as I socialize my feral foster kitten Crabapple, and help him go from WILD to M...

Do feral cats need medical treatment?

When looking for the feral kittens, make sure to get them within the quiet, unseen spots, since that’s where the mom keeps them. You should wait for them at about 4-6 weeks since they can be taken by the mom at that point. Now at this point, if you do capture them, they tend to need to be neutered immediately. But what age can you do this at?

How long does it take for a feral kitten to adjust?

It usually takes about 2 weeks (or longer for exceptionally skittish kittens) to fully tame feral kittens, depending on their age and state of wildness. Kittens can differ greatly in temperament even within the same litter. Some may tame up immediately and others take longer. Patience and commitment is required.Nov 30, 2020

Can a 4 month old feral kitten be tamed?

Social cats are not to be confused with socialized cats who are fully domesticated, and accustomed to being around, and being touched by humans. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to tame semi-feral and feral cats after 4 – 6 months of age, but it is not impossible.

Can a feral kitten become a house pet?

Feral cats may look cute and cuddly, but they are a lot different than a typical house cat. While feral cats are considered wild animals and prefer to live their lives outdoors, their kittens can be rescued from the streets and put into loving homes as pets.Jun 7, 2018

How do you get feral kittens to trust you?

The Fastest Way to a Stray Cat's Heart Is Through Her Stomach. Stray cats are often hungry cats, so the best first move is to feed the kitty and provide lots of water. Once the cat learns you're a source for food, she will visit every day. For some very friendly cats, this is enough to gain their trust.

How long do feral cats stay with their kittens?

Feral cats stay with their kittens for the majority of the first two weeks of their life full-time, for the babies are blind and deaf for the first fortnight of their lives. After that, the mama will venture out to find food for herself to stay strong while continuing to nurse her babies.

How do you pick up a feral kitten?

Wear gloves and protective clothing if you feel it is necessary. It can be scary reaching your hand in to pick them up and hold them, but if you don't, the kitten will never come around. Pick up a feral kitten from behind, on its scruff —firmly grasp the the loose skin at the top of the neck of the cat, and pick it up.

Can 12 week old feral kittens be tamed?

Kittens over 12 weeks old are harder to tame and the results may not be satisfactory - they may bond to one person only, be nervous, hard-to-handle and practically impossible to home as pets. It is possible to have them neutered at this age, avoiding the need to keep them in captivity and under stress.

Can you ever tame a feral cat?

Many experts agree that feral adult cats simply can't be tamed. They are wild animals, like raccoons. They tend to stay away from humans, hide during the day, and when adopted, are very difficult to socialize. Just like you would never try to handle a raccoon, you should never try to pick up a feral cat.May 6, 2021

What is the average lifespan of a feral cat?

2 – 3 yearsFeral cat / Lifespan (In the wild)

What is the fastest way to tame a kitten?

Play with the kitten each day. This is a great way to bond with your kitten. Use cat toys, such as toy mice, lasers, and soft toys. Move the toys around and wait for the kitten to chase them. If the kitten doesn't respond, wait a few days and then try again.

Should I adopt a feral kitten?

Most feral cats are fearful or people and are not likely to ever become a lap cat or enjoy living indoors. Kittens born to feral cats can be socialized at an early age and adopted into indoor homes. Alley Cat Allies does not, in general, recommend trying to socialize a feral kitten over 4 months of age.

How do you know if a feral cat trusts you?

One simple way to know if your cat trusts you is if her tail stands straight up, especially when she sees you or walks toward you. Some cat experts consider it to be a “thumbs up” in cat lingo. If the tail quivers slightly, it's even more indication that the cat has positive feelings toward you.Feb 11, 2019

What is a feral cat?

Slater, DVM, PhD, senior director of epidemiology, animal health services with the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), a feral cat is “any cat who is too poorly socialized to be handled ... and who cannot be placed into a typical pet home.”.

How long do feral cats live?

The life of a feral, stray, or abandoned cat is often short, sometimes lasting for just two or three years.

How much does it cost to spay a cat?

A little money can go a long way to help a cat. Spay/neuter surgeries may cost as little as $17 for shelters to perform, so a single $20 donation can dramatically change the life of a feral cat. Contact your nearest Humane Society to find out if they’ve got a TNR program; if they don’t, they’ll know who does.

Can feral cats be tamed?

Many experts agree that feral adult cats simply can’t be tamed. They are wild animals, like raccoons. They tend to stay away from humans, hide during the day, and when adopted, are very difficult to socialize. Just like you would never try to handle a raccoon, you should never try to pick up a feral cat.

Can a feral cat be reintroduced to a domestic?

However, feral kittens -- especially those less than 8 weeks old -- often can be socialized. Abandoned and lost cats can also be reintroduced to domestic living.

Can you relocate feral cats?

Some people advocate relocating or “putting down” feral cats instead. Relocation may sound like a humane solution, but it is ultimately ineffective due to the “vacuum effect.”. Feral cats gather where there are resources: food, water, and shelter.

What to do when a kitten no longer responds to a syringe?

When the kittens no longer respond by biting and scratching, encourage friends to handle them as often as possible. It is very important that they socialize with other humans. Feral cats tend to bond with one human, so they best adjust to a new home if they are socialized with other humans before being adopted out.

How to calm a kitten?

If the kitten stays calm, pet it gently on the head from behind. Never approach from the front. A hand coming at the kittens frightens them, which may cause them to hiss or bite. If the kitten remains calm, grip it securely by the nape of the neck, put the towel on your lap, and set it on the towel.

How to tame a dog?

The steps involved in the taming process are: 1 Containment (I) in a cage or large pet carrier 2 Periodic and brief handling with a protective towel 3 Containment (II) in a small room 4 Exposure to other humans 5 Placement in suitable adoptive homes

How long does it take for a kitten to tame?

The process of taming kittens can take from two to six weeks (longer for some exceptionally skittish kittens), depending on their age and state of wildness. Individuals can differ greatly in temperament, even within the same litter. Some may tame up immediately, and some may take quite a long time.

How old do kittens have to be to be tamed?

They may be captured in humane traps (available from the Feral Cat Coalition) and should be taken from the mother at 4 to 6 weeks of age. Older kittens can also be captured and tamed, but the process becomes slower and less successful the longer the kittens stay in the wild. They should not be taken from the mother before they are old enough ...

Can feral cats be adopted?

Considering the short, miserable lives that feral cats suffer, those kittens that can be tamed and adopted by humans are indeed lucky. Feral moms usually give birth in quiet, unseen spots where kittens will not be visible for several weeks. With no human contact, they will be totally wild.

Do feral cats spit at humans?

Containment I. A feral kitten may hiss and “spit” at humans. They are usually terrified of humans. The kitten that acts the most ferocious is just the most scared, but it is capable of giving you a nasty scratch or bite and will probably try to escape if given the chance.

How to handle feral kittens?

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. These are the ones that usually determine how aggressive the litter is. When you do this, put a towel over them, and then pick them up.

How long does it take for a feral cat to socialize?

Now taming and socializing a feral cat isn’t always the simplest thing. Sometimes, this can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks, or even more if they’re skittish. Usually, the two main factors that you do want to think about if you want to understand feral kitten behavior is the following: The age. The skittishness.

How long does it take for a kitten to tame?

The earliest is 4-6 weeks. However, if you wait a little bit longer you can, but remember that the longer you wait the harder it is to tame them. You should make sure that you don’t take them too young, since they can have diseases, and will struggle to survive. Make sure you get the mother kitten too.

Can a feral cat be abandoned?

Feral cats are typically homeless and born in the wild, and kittens are no exception. They may have been abandoned, or even become lost if you’re not careful. One thing you may also notice is that they may have been left behind by their mother, which is a bit of a sad instance.

How to keep a dog from escaping?

When you get them, don’t handle them for two days, and make sure that you use slow movements, and resist touching. You’ll want to keep them in the carrier or the litter box with some bedding, and keep them away from others, and make sure you don’t let them escape.

Do feral cats make eye contact?

Feral kittens, if they’re older, tend to do this. They don’t make eye contact. They won’t communicate, even with a meow, a purr, or a beg.

Do foxes come out during the day?

They won’t communicate, even with a meow, a purr, or a beg. They tend to be nocturnal, and they won’t come out during the day for the most part. Despite being feral, they have a coat that’s clean and well kept. If they are neutered they will get an ear chip due to the TNR program.

How to get kittens used to humans?

Leave a TV, radio, or audiobook on low while you’re out of the room to help them get used to the sounds of humans. Encourage new experiences at every meal—but never push a kitten so far beyond their comfort zone that it causes trauma. Slow and steady! Commit to working with the kitten many times a day.

How to socialize a kitten?

Ensure that the kitten is an appropriate age for socialization. Keep the kitten in a relatively contained area, such as a playpen or dog crate, until she is socialized and comfortable approaching you. Feed only during designated meal time. Focus on introducing just one to two new experiences per session.

How long does it take for a kitten to become friendly?

Socialization, or the process of becoming friendly to humans, is most successfully achieved during the first 12 weeks of a kitten’s life. If you’ve encountered a feral kitten, one of the first things to do is to determine the kitten’s age and make sure that she’s within the age range where socialization will be successful.

When do kittens start socializing?

Kittens 5-12 weeks of age will be weaning/weaned, are a prime age for feral kitten socialization. During this optimal socialization window, they are trying to discover where their food will come from, and are therefore biologically predisposed to seek new experiences, learn new things, explore new relationships, and accept change.

How to introduce a kitten to a new kitten?

Session One: Introduce Yourself From a Distance. Place the food in front of the kitten and back away. Stand as far away as it takes for the kitten to be comfortable eating in front of you. While the kitten eats, speak to him in a gentle tone. Stay visible to him throughout the first meal.

How old do kittens have to be to be socialized?

DON’T: Force socialization on a feral kitten older than 12 weeks. Allow a feral kitten to freely roam your house. Leave food out when you are not actively socializing. Rush them to do too many new things at once. Forcing them into a corner, where they are more likely to feel threatened.

Why are feral cats euthanized?

In decades past, feral cats were simply trapped and euthanized since they are too wild to be adopted as pets. TNR is much more humane than euthanasia. It curbs the feral cat population with spay/neuter while allowing the cats to live out their natural life spans.

Why are feral cats bad for humans?

Feral cat colonies can become a nuisance to nearby humans due to the cats’ urine-marking behavior, loud catfights or mating, sick or dying cats hanging around , ...

How to care for a cat colony?

According to Alley Cat Allies, some of the most helpful things a colony caretaker does for community cats include: 1 Conduct ongoing trap-neuter-return 2 Provide food and water 3 Provide shelter 4 Monitor individual cats within the colony and provide ongoing health care

What is the most important part of a feral cat colony?

Possibly one of the most important parts of caring for a feral cat colony is assisting with trap-neuter-return of the colony members. TNR programs involve humanely trapping feral cats, taking them to a veterinarian for spaying or neutering (and often vaccines, deworming, or other medical care), then returning the cat to the colony.

How long do feral cats live?

According to the ASPCA, feral cats living on their own without care have an average life span of just 2 years. Feral cats being looked after by a human caretaker can live as long as 10 years.

Do feral cats hunt?

Although feral cats will forage and hunt for food, feeding them regularly can help them stay healthier and also curb nuisance behaviors like rummaging through trash cans and dumpsters, and killing birds, squirrels, and other wildlife.

Is dry food better than wet food?

Wet food is nutrient-dense and offers benefits like added moisture and higher protein content. Dry food is cheaper and less likely to spoil if it isn’t all eaten right away. If you’re feeding a large colony, you might ask friends, family, or neighbors for food donations to help offset the cost.