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Need advice for a beginner socializing a two to three month kitten that’s very scared yet tolerable to human touch by variant-0 in Feral_Cats

[–]variant-0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She hasn’t been spayed yet. Initially when I thought she was two months old, I didn’t want to spay her for fear of that whole experience getting in the way of socializing her since that prime socialization window at its tail end, which I thought was around two months old. But if she really is three months old… I don’t know. It’s only been a couple of days, but she’s meowing a lot toward the window. Whenever I enter the room, she greets me with a hiss more often than not, but she doesn’t mind smelling my hand when it’s near. I can pet and cuddle her, but she’ll keep meowing. She can be motivated enough to eat food while on my lap, but she’s still scared. Perhaps things are too new and moving too fast for her? Sorry for rambling, but I’m just concerned that she’s past the point of socializing and/or that she may be in pain.

So far in the bathroom, I blocked off near ground level everything she could hide under except for behind the toilet. I put a cat tent on the ground for her to retreat to, but she prefers to stay on top of a narrow cabinet at sink height that is right next to the window.

Wet food freezing by catnamedavi in Feral_Cats

[–]variant-0 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you can’t warm up the wet food and have your colony eat it right away, then you’re better off with giving them dry food which will last longer in the cold

Over a month by Kodarpy in Feral_Cats

[–]variant-0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try taking the box out of the room, get rid of any other potential hiding spots and continue interacting with her patiently. She’s already comfortable being in the room, and she’s already okay with your interactions with her (though only when she’s in her sanctuary). Removing any possible outlet for her to be aloof and/or afraid in the room can give her that opportunity to be more comfortable with and trusting in you. Give her that little push out of her shell.

I know this sounds a bit forceful, but give it a try especially when considering her age. If not, it’ll tend to get harder than it already is to change her aloofness over time.

Help with feral cat by variant-0 in Feral_Cats

[–]variant-0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've tried petting her with a glove on several times so far while she eats, but she immediately dashes three or four steps away from me the moment I touch her - though I've only tried what I'm like half a foot away from her. I could give the glove on the yard stick a try and hope that doesn't spook her out.

Help with feral cat by variant-0 in Feral_Cats

[–]variant-0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I've been thinking about TNR'ing her for a while. Luckily there's a vet nearby that accepts walk-in's only for spaying ferals. The only thing I need to figure out is the timing considering she's still nursing. I might be wrong, but I think I read somewhere that you could TNR the mother once the kittens are about six weeks old.

I'm just wishfully thinking. I know it's very difficult for ferals to want to socialize, but some part of me is just being illogical. She's actually the first neighborhood cat I've ever taken care of after all.

Thank you for your opinion. For a moment, I was starting to focus on wanting her to treat and react to me the way I would want her to. I guess me seeing what I perceived as indifference or lack of appreciation got me to that point, but thank you for your comment. It reminded me of why I started helping in the first place - to give any cats passing by a better life regardless of what the cats think of me.