Kitten Kaboodle: Early Stages

Now that you know the age and stage of your kitten clan, here’s what you need to know to encourage them to grow into outgoing, affectionate felines that will steal a cat lover’s heart:

• Confine kittens initially in a dog crate or cage for more space or try a bathroom with toilet seat down and cabinets closed.
• Don’t let feral kittens run loose in your house! Tiny babies can hide in tiny spaces and it goes without saying (but we will): They’re hard to locate and coax out.
• It’s tough, but if you have more than one kitten from a litter, separate them. Left together, the kittens will bond with each other instead of with people.
• Don’t try to handle a truly feral kitten that hisses and spits at you for the first  few days. Visit the kitten frequently, always moving slowly, and talk softly to it. Reassure it that all is well.
• After the kitten calms down, begin handling—you know you want to! Wrap the kitten in a towel and find a comfortable place to sit with kitten on your lap. Enjoy. If you can pet now, terrific, but otherwise, give it time.
• Food is your incentive for taming. Start by feeding the kitten baby food or “wet” cat food on a spoon, delivered through the cage.
• Next, offer baby food or wet food on your finger. If the kitten doesn’t accept it, then dab a tiny bit on the end of its nose. The kitten will lick it off and want more. This is your chance: gradually pet the kitten’s face, chin, and behind the ears while you talk softly.
• Leave a television or radio on a few hours a day, but not too loud, so kittens get used to human voices.
• Aim for several feeding/petting sessions of 15 to 20 minutes as often as possible.
• Play and resulting interaction with you can hasten the taming process. Use a string or cat toy for the kitten to chase. It’s tempting, but don’t let the kitten bite, scratch or play with your hand.
• Once the kitten no longer runs away from you and instead seeks your attention, confine it to a kitten-proofed room rather than a cage. Always watch for dangerous electrical or blind cords and other household hazards. Think: Could my kitten “get into this?”
• Encourage friends to handle feral kittens frequently. They typically bond with one person so exposure to others is a critical part of their socialization process.

Read On:

About Kittens
That cute, cuddly ball of fluff is irresistible. Kitten issues are complex and emotional at best. Some people feel that all kittens should be socialized and placed into homes. Others realize that if we removed all the kittens from the streets...

How Old Are They
Under one week: Eyes are shut, ears flat to head and skin appears “pinkish.” Part of umbilical cord may still be attached...