Expert: Jessica - 8/31/2009

Question
Hi Jessica!
Thanks for your help a few weeks back regarding my nervous Siamese female. She’s doing alright; I’ve plugged up pretty much all her hiding spots. She’s still a little jittery at times, but she knows I’m her “mama” .

Anyway, lately I’ve been taking notice of ferals in my neighborhood, and decided that I ought to get them neutered, if possible. I started leaving cat food out on my porch for them so they get used to stopping by daily for a free meal. I noticed that one of the ferals was pregnant. In addition, I noticed that this particular cat was the same kitten I’ve seen on numerous occasions not long ago. This might be her first litter. I wanted to try and trap then tame the kittens if I could, and find them homes.

Long story short, I was able to trap the female using a humane trap earlier tonight (lucky that I got her and not her tomcat escorts, as the free neutering clinic is closed tomorrow and I don’t want to keep a feral caged for more than 24 hours). I have her isolated in a separate room away from my pet kitties. I haven’t let her out of the trap yet; it’s covered with a blanket to calm her down.

When I trapped her, she didn’t panic or start hissing or spitting or try to scratch me when I put my hand near the cage. She just sat there, looking sad and scared. I’m sure she’s terrified right now, but she’s doing a good job keeping quiet and calm.

At this point, I’m not entirely sure what to do. I’m thinking I ought to just let her chill out in that room with her own litter box and food and water, and hopefully be able to tame the kittens when they’re born so they can be adopted instead of a life on the streets. Any advice or tips on what I need to do?

Thank you for any assistance you can offer!


Answer
Hi Sam.  This is so excellent of you!  There are so few people who care about ferals, and of those who have compassion for ferals, there are few people who step in and do something!  I’m also excited for you about the kittens!

I personally keep ferals or super nervous strays in a cage for the first couple weeks because if you let them out into a room, you are generally never going to be able to touch them.  Unless she was recently abandoned, she is going to be too wild to ever get your hands on outside a cage, and your best bet is to rent a dog crate from your local shelter (most offer this) or buy a kitty play pen to keep her in.  Then reach in to hand-feed her special treats of chicken or tuna several times each day.  This is the quickest way to tame them.  

If she tames up quickly, you can let her out after a couple weeks.  Be sure there are absolutely no places for her to hide the kittens.  I have had cats tear holes in the lining of my bed box spring and go up into my bed with their litter.  I’ve had cats push their way up through the drop ceiling and insulation!  A place with very little furniture that she could hide the babies under (or in) is best.  

But if she is still very tense and nervous, I’d keep her in the cage until she has the kittens and they are about 4 weeks old, when she is not as likely to hide them somewhere.  I know it seems like a long time for her to be cooped up, but there are many cats who have to be on cage rest for medical conditions, etc.

Nevertheless, a cage is an investment, and if you don’t have one, you can let her out into the smallest room you have available.  Try to keep the lights dim and activity to a minimum.  Again, hand-feeding treats if you can get near her are the key to taming.  If you can’t get near her, lay them down where she can see them, and then leave.  She should understand eventually that you are providing for her.  It just takes a lot longer than if she were confined in a small space and forced to allow you to pet her and feed her.

The babies should be handled from birth.  Most moms are very tolerant of this, actually.  Of all the feral moms I’ve had, only two were very nasty when I tried to handle their babies.  The rest were only nervous.  However, if you don’t handle the little ones by two weeks of age, they will start to become wild, already hissing and spitting!  Those cuddled for 10 minutes a few times a day from birth grow up to be the friendliest pets, and actually open their eyes earlier and begin to venture out of the nest sooner than kittens who don’t receive human interaction.  Just be sure to wash your hands with an antibacterial soap prior to handling the babies in case you are carrying any germs from your other kitties.

If mom is one of the nasty ones when it comes to handling the babies, you MUST begin holding them by the age of three weeks.  If necessary, put on some thick gloves and double sweatshirts to get to them.  If the kittens start reaching 4 and 5 weeks before they receive lots of human interaction, you’re going to end up with babies who might be somewhat tamable but will probably never be the cuddlebugs that people adore.

Good luck, and enjoy the little ones!

Jessica