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 We recently discovered that a cat gave birth to 4 kittens in our basement. Over the past week we have captured 3. The first took to me instantly, the second is not sure of me but tolerates me very well, the third on the other hand is deathly afraid of me. It has been almost a week since I caught the last one but he has not warmed up to me. He does not play with the other 2 he just slinks to a corner and watches. At moments he acts like he may want to join the fun but then he changes his mind. What can I do? Should I put him back out?
Answer Tanner,
Cats can have kittens by each tomcat that bred her during her heat cycle so 2 of the kittens may have had a domesticated cat as a father, and the third may have had a true feral for his.
The earlier you can work with the baby the better chance you have to socialize him. BUT it may take months for the kitten to gain your trust. The fear and distrust of humans is inbred and inherited in ferals. They are not domesticated house cats and will not behave like one.
Be patient and keep working with him. It is good that he watches the other kittens interact with you. He can see that nothing horrible happens when you are near them. He learns by watching. Do not try to force him to be sociable. If it happens, it will be in his own time and at his own speed of trust. Food is a great bride. Leaving treats like tuna or tinned sardines in oil near him will teach him to associate you with something pleasant.
Ferals usually bond to one person. The kitten may become docile and loving with you, but will probably always be skittish and nervous with other people, and will more than likely hide when he hears people or noises. Ferals normally can be affectionate, follow you around, lay next to you, but do NOT like to be petted or held. If you do pet them watch their ears and tail. If you see any sign of ears being pinned back, or the tail starts swishing back and forth, that is the time to stop messing with him. If you don't you are liable to get bit or scratched. If you understand feral behavior and accept the cat the way he is, then you should have a nice pet....eventually.
Try to get the kittens (AND MOM) spayed and neutered as soon as possible. Kittens can be spayed now as young as 8 weeks old. I just had 2 neutered by the SPCA that were 10 weeks old, and a neighbor had a female kitten spayed at 11 weeks old. They will make better pets and cut down on the feral population. Be aware that a female cat can go into heat and become pregnant as soon as 48 hours to 2 weeks after giving birth!
