How to Raise a Feral Kitten ‘From Scratch’

This article discusses how to domesticate or tame a feral kitten between 4-6 weeks of age. A grown, feral cat is a different situation altogether. If a cat has never been handled by humans within the first few weeks of life, it’s almost impossible to domesticate them later. If you’re dealing with grown, feral cats, contact you local cat rescue or humane organization and ask if they have a neuter and release program.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Large dog crate or other enclosed, safe area to keep kittens.
• Heavy gloves if capturing kittens by hand
• Towels
• Baby food beef or chicken/turkey (make sure it doesn't contain onions).
• Kitten food (dry is easiest to manage)
• Small litter box and litter (use clay, not "scoopable" litter)
• Kitten formula to put on food if kittens are just weaned (optional)

1. Do not remove nursing kittens (less than four weeks old) from their mother or handle them unless they’re in immediate danger. The mother may attack you and/or abandon her kittens. Do leave cat food out nearby for the mother to keep herself and her kittens healthy.

2. The earlier you start working with a feral kitten, the easier it is to tame. The ideal time to rescue and start training them is between 4-6 weeks old. Contact your local cat rescue or humane organization if wanting to borrow/use humane traps.

3. When catching kittens by hand, wear thick gloves, like garden gloves. This will protect you and keep the kitten(s) from associating your hands with being grabbed. You can also throw a large towel over a kitten and pick them up within it. Be mindful of escape routes and have something to put them in when caught.

4. A large dog crate works well to house the kittens. It should be big enough that a small litter box (or similar-sized aluminum pan) will fit inside and still have enough room for food and water bowls. Put an old towel inside for bedding. Keep the crate in a room where they can become used to the normal family activities. Remember—these sounds and smells will be strange and frightening at first!

5. 
   Binky (who is a great momma cat) makes sure she can keep an eye on Hershel at naptime!

   Prior to a health check, keep the kitten(s) isolated from your other animals. Take them to your vet as soon as possible. Always wash your hands when going from the kitten(s) to your other animals and visa versa. This also protects the kitten(s), who are no longer getting antibodies from their mother’s milk. Make sure children wash their hands thoroughly after having contact with the kittens, their food or litter items.

6. Use baby food (meat only, no onion, which is toxic) for training motivation. Remove kitten(s) from the crate one at a time into an enclosed area or room. Scoop him/her up in a towel and wrap him/her so only the head sticks out. Put some of the baby food on your finger-tips and see if he/she’ll lick it off. Take your time and pet them (on the back of the head/neck) while they’re wrapped up. As they’re gradually allowed to explore the room (supervised) you can get them to come to you with the food. They will probably dart away or hiss at first when they’re loose.

7. Be patient! If they mistake fingers with food, try using a plastic spoon until they get the idea to just lick. Always wear something heavy, like blue jeans, not shorts in case one thinks your leg is a tree! Do not allow ANY small children around them yet and supervise older children. Take it slow, with several short visits during the day rather than a prolonged one. Each kitten will warm up to the handler at it’s own pace.

8. Introduce appropriate toys and let the littermates play together sometimes, but the timid ones need extra one-on-one time with their human friends so they don’t hide behind the braver mates.

9. 
   Ahh...the stress-free indoor life!

   After 1-2 weeks, they will have adjusted to the new environment. This is good time to slowly introduce other household cats. If you have a female cat who has had a litter or one you've noticed has maternal instincts, start with her. Make the first meetings short and supervised. If your cat stiffens or acts predatory, remove it immediately. You can try later when the kittens are bigger. If you find you have a natural foster mother, congratulations! Having a friendly ‘momma’ cat around will speed up the taming process. Cats learn from each other and the kitten(s) will observe how that cat acts around you.

10. Within 3-4 weeks, they’ll be tame enough and old enough to leave the crate for good and join the family or put up for adoption. Raising a feral kitten takes time and plenty of patience, but you reap the rewards of saving them from a life on the streets and having a close, trusting companion.
    
    (c) All rights reserved. No portion of this article may be reproduced elsewhere without author's written permission.

Tips & Warnings

• Holding the kitten in a towel lessens their stress and makes it less likely that you’ll get bitten or scratched.
• If they are vocal, first check they have plenty of food/water. Putting an old towel over the crate will help calm them down.
• Kittens progress at their own rates. Shy ones take longer to tame and do better when not dependent on their siblings.
• Always make sure your pets are current on their shots before bringing home any new animal.
• When you take the kitten(s) in for a health check make sure your vet knows they're feral!
• Your vet may want to check for FeLV (feline leukemia) and possibly FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) as both can be transferred to other cats. About 4% of feral cats test positive, however, so the risk is low.
• Don't think a feral mother is just going to let you come take her babies! Even after they're weaned--she can and will attack! Take care and realize she's just protecting her young. In the case of a watchful mother, humane traps may be best.

[cherylphillips]

on 8/2/2009 We had one!! 5*

[Susang6]

on 7/22/2009 You are absolutely correct, handling and domesticating an adult cat is very difficult. It took me two years to pet my one adult feral cat, and one year to pet my other adult feral cat. At this time they both sleep at the foot of my bed. Great article with useful tips. I hope that more people will adopt feral cats. They are the most loving cats that I have ever owned.

[tracysmith159]

on 7/17/2009 Good article. I learned my lesson about grabbing a eight week only feral kitten without gloves. Sure hurt a bunch. That kitten eventually found a loving home with a friend.

[shenandoah]

on 7/13/2009 Kind-hearted, cat-loving woman wrote this eHow article. >>'.'<<

[oxymora]

on 7/6/2009 Great tips! Thank you.