Comments on How to Tame a Feral Cat or Kitten

Okay .. I have a Cat and it keeps havin kittens ..I saw a cAt that looks like some kittens but it keeps runnin away from me when i get close but i never see it lookin around when i set food out so i dont know .. I need to get a live animal catcher and set food

I just got a feral older kitten and today I was able to hold her (and deflea her) and she barely put up a fight. Thanks for the article!

Thank you for this article! I am currently taming 5 8-9 week old kittens and have been very disappointed by the lack of support I'm receiving from the local humane society, vets, or shelters. However the kittens are progressing nicely, and I still plan on finding them homes as none of them seem untameable so far.

I am working with an 8 week old feral kitten. He has been doing well. He had been a barn kitty and did have some contact with people, but it does not seem to have been quite positive. He's at the point where he will eat wet food in my lap and does purr when pet! One thing that I've never seen before with all the cats and kittens I've had is that he does not knead, at all. What are your thoughts on this? Also, I am working with him to be comfortable to be held and picked up - I pick him up gently for a few seconds, speak quietly to him and place him gently on the floor. What are your experiences in having a kitten get comfortable with being held?

I really enjoyed this article. My vet has six office cats that were all feral rescues. They are the friendliest cats (beside my own) and she trained some of them when they were older adults. A poster here mentioned singing to the cat - usually works very well, but we had a boy who, upon hearing one of us start to sing, would let out a yell and flee! We didn't take it personally, just didn't think he was a music lover... 5 stars!!

Some cats simply don't enjoy being handled, even if they were born in a cattery and handled from birth. I've succeeded in socializing many ferals, kittens adults and older cats and the biggest keys to success are patience and plenty of time. It's not unusual for it to take several months for a feral adult to become a social loving companion.

If your procedure works I would say good for you, one less cat on the streets.

If your procedure works I would say good for you, one less cat on the streets.

I'm very encouraged by your article. I have a feral kitty I've been taking care of for about a year now - since she showed up in my front yard at about 10 weeks or so of age. Even though she knows me and allows me limited access to petting her, I have to use a trap to capture her for vet visits (spaying, vaccinations, microchip, etc.). She recently was badly injured rendering her left front leg unusable. The vet says there "may" be a possibility of repairing it (at great cost) but amputation may be called for in the end. I can't let her stay outside any longer as she can't defend herself. So, I need to bring her inside. I have her in a very large dog kennel right now as she has to stay pretty much immobilized while she recovers and adjusts to her injuries and I need to be able to administer her pain medication (mixed in her food, of course). I have some mild tranquilizers the vet gave m

I'm very encouraged by your article. I have a feral kitty I've been taking care of for about a year now - since she showed up in my front yard at about 10 weeks or so of age. Even though she knows me and allows me limited access to petting her, I have to use a trap to capture her for vet visits (spaying, vaccinations, microchip, etc.). She recently was badly injured rendering her left front leg unusable. The vet says there "may" be a possibility of repairing it (at great cost) but amputation may be called for in the end. I can't let her stay outside any longer as she can't defend herself. So, I need to bring her inside. I have her in a very large dog kennel right now as she has to stay pretty much immobilized while she recovers and adjusts to her injuries and I need to be able to administer her pain medication (mixed in her food, of course). I have some mild tranquilizers the vet gave m

A brilliant friend taught me how to tame a feral kitten, and it worked like a charm: Once she had been to the vet and tested neg for FELV.. I isolated her for a day or two in the bathroom and got one of my sweetest cats to come in with me and I fed him treats and petted him in front of her. It was amazing - the next day she let me scratch her chin and pet her. They learn by example.. As I caught each of her littermates, it took less and less time for them to be tamed because they saw me interacting with the first kitten and overcame their fears very quickly.

A brilliant friend taught me how to tame a feral kitten, and it worked like a charm: Once she had been to the vet and tested neg for FELV.. I isolated her for a day or two in the bathroom and got one of my sweetest cats to come in with me and I fed him treats and petted him in front of her. It was amazing - the next day she let me scratch her chin and pet her. They learn by example.. As I caught each of her littermates, it took less and less time for them to be tamed because they saw me interacting with the first kitten and overcame their fears very quickly.

ok i have five kittens mother was are is w/ them. she was a strayuntile i started feeding her, it took awhile but she finially let me pet her and pick her up. nowhe had the kittens they are about 4 or 5 weeks old not sure i don't know much about cats i want to keep one and give the rest to paws. what can i do to get them use to me? i'm moving in two weeks and i just can't leave them.iam in a panic!

ok i have five kittens mother was are is w/ them. she was a strayuntile i started feeding her, it took awhile but she finially let me pet her and pick her up. nowhe had the kittens they are about 4 or 5 weeks old not sure i don't know much about cats i want to keep one and give the rest to paws. what can i do to get them use to me? i'm moving in two weeks and i just can't leave them.iam in a panic!

(continued...) About a week ago I noticed that our female cat was not getting food and water. The feral cat had staked out his food dish and would not let the other cat eat, so I bagan setting out another food dish on the property for the female cat. Yesterday when I passed the tom's food dish he attack my leg. Fortunately I was wearing blue jeans and he only manage to make two puncture marks in my legs. Here is what I have discovered. If you get too close to his food dish he is going to attack. I am now trying to figure out how to deal with this cat. I would like to keep him around because I am sure he keeps away mice and snakes, but I can't have him attacking everyone that comes near his food dish. I have thought about trapping him and taking him to the vet to have him neutered, but it would be a dangerous proposition for the vet and I don't know if it would "fix" the problem.

(continued...) About a week ago I noticed that our female cat was not getting food and water. The feral cat had staked out his food dish and would not let the other cat eat, so I bagan setting out another food dish on the property for the female cat. Yesterday when I passed the tom's food dish he attack my leg. Fortunately I was wearing blue jeans and he only manage to make two puncture marks in my legs. Here is what I have discovered. If you get too close to his food dish he is going to attack. I am now trying to figure out how to deal with this cat. I would like to keep him around because I am sure he keeps away mice and snakes, but I can't have him attacking everyone that comes near his food dish. I have thought about trapping him and taking him to the vet to have him neutered, but it would be a dangerous proposition for the vet and I don't know if it would "fix" the problem.

About 4 months ago, a male feral cat started coming up to the house and eating our spayed female cat's food, so I made certain that there was ample food and water for both cats. After a month or two when I sat down his food, I stayed near by and gradually moved my hand closer. He sniffed my hand and reached out and took a swat at my hand and arm, leaving three nasty cuts. I thought he was telling me that "The food is good, but I don't care for the company". So I never attempted to approach him again, always giving him a wide berth when I sit his food down in the morning. He is always at the back door each morning waiting for his food. He no longer backs away when I sat down his food. Several days ago, he swatted at me again but missed me by a few inches. (continued.....)

One of our neighbours recently moved out and left their cat. At night he comes into our home and eats our cat food, and during the day he sleeps in our garden. When he hears any sound close to him or sees anyone getting too close he runs off. My problem is that we're going to be moving in about two months, and I can't bear to leave him without food. He looks fully grown. Can I still tame him? Or should I just leave him to find his own food after we leave? I'd appreciate any help in this matter. Thank you so much!

One of our neighbours recently moved out and left their cat. At night he comes into our home and eats our cat food, and during the day he sleeps in our garden. When he hears any sound close to him or sees anyone getting too close he runs off. My problem is that we're going to be moving in about two months, and I can't bear to leave him without food. He looks fully grown. Can I still tame him? Or should I just leave him to find his own food after we leave? I'd appreciate any help in this matter. Thank you so much!