Thursday, July 30, 2009

Stray Kitten, is it still possible to take it in?

A few days ago my mom was in the kitchen and noticed loud meowings coming from outside, it was a small kitten that seem to been have abandoned and was hungry, so my mom fed her tuna that she bought from Costco, and the cat regularly came by and even slept on a chair on the porch. Being the curious and impatient guy I am, my cousin and I tried to catch it and such and we seemed to have scared it off, after an hour or so, it came back and my mom refed it and it left.

So basically my question is, since we lost it's trust, is it still possible to work back at it and then eventually take it in?
Answers:
The answer to your question is yes, but it will take some patience (I know, you said you were impatient) Basically, the next time you see the kitten, approach very slowly and very quietly (no sudden moves); stooping while approaching helps because then you look less threatening (tall/big). If the kitten looks as if it is about to run or begins to run away, stop where you are; stoop down (if you're not already), hold out your hand, and speak or whistle softly to it. Once the kitten seems more relaxed, repeat the process. The basic idea is that you want the kitten to come to you eventually, on his/her own terms, when he/she is comfortable enough with you that he/she doesn't feel threatened. You may not be successful in your first few attempts, but don't be discouraged; depending on this kitten's past experience with other humans, it may have good reason to regard people with fear. It just takes time.

Once you get close enough to the kitten to pet him/her and/or the kitten comes to you; pet it gently to reinforce that you are not a threat; don't immediately pick it up or pet it more roughly/quickly (like you might pet a dog) until you are comfortable with each other. Trying to regain the kitten's trust using food or toys may help too.

Good luck--I hope that this kitten will be enjoying your TLC soon!
Get a havahart trap for it. Sometimes cat orgs will lend one to you. If it's never been handled by humans (feral) it will be quite mean but if it's small enough there's still time.
Probably- but you have to be patient this time! Let her make the first move- when she comes to have a snack, leave a door open and she'll come in as she gets curious. And as she gets used to you and your smells, she'll let you pet her a little at a time.

If you guys are serious about keeping her, leave the tuna for a treat and start putting out kitten food. Otherwise, get a live trap and take her to a shelter to get a check-up and a new home.
Definetly. You scared it once, but that is not a serious issue. I mean, if you threw rocks at it. that's a whole new ball park. Cats are intimidated by people towering over them with both arms streched out. They do better if you leave the approaching up to them, and only hold out one hand. Being quiet, and yes, patient will help. Start by sitting (on the ground) 1 foot and 1/2 away while it eats food. Gradually move closer, and don't attempt to touch it. Eventually put the dish between your legs, or at least right next to them. When you're this close you can start holding out one hand. If the cat runs away put your hand down and don't try to touch it until the next day. Let it touch you first. When it touches you just let it sniff. If it starts to rub you could possibly gently scratch back. When it is okay with you reaching out to touch it's face, start touching it's whole body gradually. When it's pretty okay with that start gently picking it up. Make sure you do not hurt it when this happens! If it struggles gently let it go as soon as it starts to calm down. (often it helps to wear a jacket and parshally zip them inside at first) Also, you can try getting some Purina cat treats. Some cats don't like them, but they generally adore them once you get them used to it. Hand feeding those will help too. Hope this works, have fun with the kitty!
Yes. It will come back for the food. I would stop feeding it tuna though. At such a young age, that could really upset its digestive system and make it sick. Get it use to some canned kitten food for a few days. Go to a sports store and buy a live trap. Place the canned food inside and it will go in. Once you have it, place it in a room with the door closed. Only one person should go in there at a time. Spend 1/2 hour to 1 hour (or more) with it in the room each day. The idea is not necessarily to approach it or play with it, but let it approach you. At such a young age it should not take much time for it to adjust. The best chance a wild cat has of being domesticated is before it is six months of age. Always consult with a vet.
Being a stray kitten, it needs confidence or trust. If the kitten comes back you can either take it back in or not. But if you do you must take it to the vet to see if is ill or must take shots. The vet can have it newtered or spayed.
yes, but you need to catch it. The best thing is to go to your local animal shelter and they have live traps you can borrow. Set the tuna in the back and when it comes back it will not think anything of it and you will have a caught kitty. But make sure you take it inside, then if you let it go it can come to you. It will learn that you mean no harm. Good luck
.It should be possible to do that. The kitten should not be left outside to fend for itself, it is very dangerous for her.

Always approach the kitten very slowly and talk to it softly. You have already learned that chasing it is not going to work and you don't want to frighten it off. Try approaching it on your hands and knees so that you don't appear so large and menacing.

Don't keep feeding the kitten tuna. Get a good canned kitten food like Max cat and feed her that. Tuna is not good for cats.
Getting an animal's trust is a quiet and sometimes long process.
If you keep quiet around the kitten and try to encourage it with food it might actually start to trust you. What's important is to not make any fast or frightening movements around it. Also DON'T MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH IT! Making eye contact with it could seem scary or threatening! I know that sounds ridiculous but a lot of times it's true.
Yes but it's going to take time and patience on your part. You will have to keep feeding it and just walk by it for awhile when you see it so it doesn't feel threatened. Or sit out on the porch and just watch it eat. No fast movements at first. Make sure you put fresh water out every day also. I hope you are able to tame it.
it took me 4 months to touch a stray that someone through out at my house. he was full grown and, i'm pretty sure had been abused. i feed him twice a day everyday and talked to him and didn't make any sudden moves. everyday i would get a little closer until he rubbed up against my leg. i let him do that a few times before i tried to touch him. we did it on his terms and today he lays in my lap every night while i watch tv. he is still very defensive acting, so i just have be very gentle with him. i'm the only one that he will let touch him. your kitten may be that way too. just be patient. good luck!
Most definitely. Give the kitten some time. Keep water out for it at all times. Every time you go out with food for the cat, call to it "kitty, kitty, here kitty kitty." You want the cat to get used to your voice.

Also next time you see it, you can try catching it by throwing pieces of tuna to it and each time throw the tuna closer and closer to you. Talk to the kitten while doing this so it gets used to your voice.

Try putting the food closer and closer to the kitchen door. Then one day leave the door open and place the food inside the door. Next time put the food farther inside the room and sneak up from the outside and shut the cat in the house. Try using some variation of this method.
If you don't have much patience, you can call a cat rescue organization in your area and ask to borrow a "live trap". They will show you how to set it up and use it.
It's very possible to get her trust back. You just have to be patient and allow her to come to you on HER terms, not yours. Sit as close to her as you possibly can without scaring her off and just talk to her. Try to play with her with cat toys, and take some food with you, too. If you do this enough for a little while..you might just be surprised by a wild kitten who's suddenly eating out of your hand..literally:)

And once you've gained her trust, get her to a vet.

Good luck!
ya u can take a cat in at anytime

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