Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Feral Kittens I am Saving

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 8/2/2008


Question
On June 30, 2008 two tabby kittens approximately 5 weeks old showed up on my deck.  I began feeding them twice a day, morning and evening.  They would show up and look in my glass doors until I opened the door and they would come in and eat then leave. On July 28th while they were in the house eating we closed the door.  They hide under the China Cabinet, they have started coming out while we are in the house and play or watch us.  They eat and use the litter box.  They are still scared of us.  Should we force them out and grab them?  I want to take them to a vet for shots and an exam.  Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Answer
Kathy,

No, do not grab them or force them. Go slowly! Let them learn to trust you. It can take a month or more. You can try feeding them in a large cat carrier with the door open. When they get used to going in there, then shut the door quickly and take them to the vet. Shots should be given at approximately 8 weeks. Don't give them any younger than 6 weeks.

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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