About 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).
Education/Credentials ***********
Awards and Honors * One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
Question my son friend gave me a abandoned kitten . the kitten meows when i am quiet and every time i get my hand near it , the kitten bites and scratches me. later it lays near me . it sleeps near me . my hand gets near it every time , the kitten bites and scratches
Answer Paul,
More than likely the kitten is a feral kitten. That is the typical behavior of a feral. They have an inbred and inherited distrust of humans. They can be loveable, lay next to you, etc. but they do NOT like to be petted or held. They are not like domesticated house cats and will not behave or act like one.
The kitten probably would be happier if it had a kitty friend about it's same age. Kittens need another cat for company, comfort, companionship, and kitty play and wrestling. They can also learn trust from another cat.
It also is probably confused by a new home, new people, and missing it's mom and littermates. Be patient and tolerant and the kitten may settle down and let you love it when it learns to trust you. Plus you don't know what experiences the poor little thing has already gone through. It will take time.
