kittens

How does one go about domesticating ferile kittens?

The dh brought home 6 of them. They are approx. 8 - 12 wks. old. and want no parts of being picked up - hissing, biting and scratching ensues when you try. They had been living under a friend's porch but were upsetting the resident 22 yr.old (not in good health) cat so they had to be moved somewhere else.

Are these guys too old to tame? How does one go about doing so if possible?

No mom wasn't there when the dh snagged the kittens. I think they're going to try to trap mom and get her spayed so she doesn't do this again.

I've got a call into the rescue group but haven't heard back from them yet.

Wendy, the Campus Cats website has a blurb on socializing that might help you. You've taken on a real project, though, with so many kittens! Are they all from the same litter?

Step one, is get the kittens to a vet who is comfortable in dealing with fraidycats. They should be vaccinated and wormed at least, tested for FeLV if possible. If they are of sound health and weigh at least 2 pounds, they are old enough to be sterilized as well.

Step two, is catch the momcat and get her spayed. If she is also feral, I hope she can be returned to the backyard as a mouser. Food and shelter is the only compensation she would require.

A vet visit for the kittens will also determine their age. A kitten as old as 12 weeks generally takes much more time to socialize (though we've had good luck with kittens as old as 4 months). An 8-week kitten is more likely to quickly turn around.

Right now, Campus Cats has a 7-week kitten in foster care who put up a great front, hissing and spitting and trying to escape. She came in on Sunday and today she is snuggling in my arms, purring her brains out. She is going to her foster mother tonight, to continue her studies as a housecat, and I expect her to be ready for her new home in 1-2 weeks. Each animal is different, though, and must be evaluated as such.

Read the article, Taming the Tiger, posted to the Campus Cats website. It may help. You can also contact me at home: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Good luck!

Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats

Oh, I've learned that lesson! Part of my standard equipment is a pair of welder's gloves, along with the plastic spoon full of babyfood. At least until the kitten and I are better acquainted.

Mostly the hisses are nerves. I call them 'pink hisses.'

Sharon Campus Cats

I am glad the kittens are coming around. I've been pleasantly surprised by many an older kitten and even the occasional feral-born adult. Looking forward to a report after their vet visit.

Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats

They went to the vet last night. They all tested negative - YAY!

They were very calm in the carriers and didn't make a fuss for the vet. Didn't even seem mad at me when they got back home.

I'm finding waiting for the test result is the hardest part of rescuing these litters. I don't know how I'd handle it if they tested positive. The rescue group's policy is to put them down then. :o(

Euthanizing an animal that clearly tests positive for FIV/FeLV is also our policy, but we always test at least once again before making that decision unless the animal is already symptommatic. We also test each animal, not just mom or a sample kitten from the litter. Expensive, but worth it.

Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats

They caught the 7th kitten and brought her over tonight. She's in isolation for now. She has a wound below one ear. I noticed she had a tuft of fur hanging. I originally thougt it was a mat. When I went to snip it out I discovered there was a torn flap of skin attached to the tuft of fur. I did snip the fur and cleaned the wound with peroxide and then put some triple antibiotic ointment on it. I'll have to see how she is in the morning. Not a struggle from her when I was doing all of this either.

I'm getting the live trap Saturday so we can get mom before she gets pregnant again (if she isn't already). She's going to have to be a TNR for now at least because nobody has room for another cat.

One shelter I foster for tests them all. The other will test one of the litter or the mother and assume that if one is negative they all are.

I know one will try to place positives in homes w/out other cats or in house w/other positives. They prefer to place them in single cat household. But there are some homes set up to house positives only.

Just had a scare that one of mine *MIGHT* have FIP. No test to determine for sure, no cure, no treatment, no vaccines. Told me if cat is dead in a few weeks probably FIP. That was awful to hear. You don't know what to do - you're in a pickle. 'Wait and see' - which is sooo hard. Anyway, whatever it was, she is now fine, no longer sick and acting better than before. Her personality has changed slightly - I think she's schizophrenic! (she hated other cats, now she's playing - go figure).

We have discovered one can get mixed results within a litter. And somehow it is always the sweetest and spunkiest kitten who gets the virus.

We will no longer adopt out a FeLV+ kitten, even with aforeknowledge. Did it once and never again. FIV is more of a possibility, but only if someone comes forward.

Horrible. I am so sorry. I hate FIP. We have lost one kitten to that; she was not symptommatic until after adoption, so she broke a lot of hearts. When she went, her adoptive mother, foster mother, and myself were blubbering by her side. And the vet staff; mustn't forget them. I really really hate FIP. I hope your kitten comes out ok. Doesn't the vet recommend you keep her isolated from the other kittens at this point? FIP isn't that catchy, but prolonged exposure will do the trick.

Good luck to you.

Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats