How to tame feral kittens for home adoption. Taming a kitten 101

[@lynheimler4357]

Dump the food on plates

[@allisontexas4810]

Yeah cats don't like to eat when something is touching their whiskers

[@christianguitard3932]

How about putting the food in plates, they can cut their tongues on the edge of the tin... cleaning the litter would help too....

[@TangledFlockFarm]

Those tins were not sharp, but yes, we did move to having food in bowls once the first few days had passed.

[@mr.d9989]

It's all about age. There was a very beautiful white blue eyed kitten probably about 3 months old. I caught it and that animal was so difficult I had to turn it loose within a few weeks. I know my inexperience was a big factor! But just a few days ago I caught about a 6 or 7 week old kitty. To make the story short he came around within the day. It was so easy compared to the other one. It's amazing how important his few weeks are

[@TangledFlockFarm]

Yeah, I find the younger ones are very adaptable!

[@JoeMama-gq1wc]

too bad, the white blue eyed would've been beautiful

[@schliesthefirst197]

It might be about whatever they've already been through, too. We got 2 sisters from a shelter, about 2 months old, one was the most beautiful cat I've ever seen. We had them for about a month, they NEVER "normalized". They loved when we petted them, but most of the time they were busy going into deep hiding. At one point, they got inside a wall, via a hole around a pipe in a utility room. They wouldn't come out, I had to tear out a big section of wall on Day 3. Then they got out of the house one day, would NOT come back, would not quite let us get to them. We saw them on the edge of the woods around our house for days, but we never got them back. Something horrible must've happened to them before we got them, I don't want to imagine what. It might've even been being in a shelter, caged, with a lot of big, nousy, barking dogs around all day & night. You just do what you can & hope it helps.....

[@trafficandcats]

Did you get them spayed or neutered?

[@mr.d9989]

@@trafficandcats why would I spay a feral cat I could not even touch and had to return to the wild within a few weeks?

[@kaitlintropper2061]

My cats were feral as well. They adapted quick with us. One of them was purring the next day. Now they are enjoying their indoor life.

[@TangledFlockFarm]

It is so rewarding to have them come around!

[@kaitlintropper2061]

@@TangledFlockFarm it is. They want cookies

[@kaitlintropper2061]

@@TangledFlockFarm it is. They want cookies

[@HAZRDLyrics]

Thanks to KZbin for putting this video in my recommendation.

[@TangledFlockFarm]

I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@ricksguardian4309]

I'm doing my first solo taming of a 5-month old kitten. In 2.5 weeks he lets me pet him while eating, we play, he gets pets in his safe spot behind the toilet, and he licks baby food from my finger. It's a lot of repetition -- same things day after day. Just when you think there's no hope he progresses. Last night he approached me, purred, and put his head down -- he wanted pets! This morning I get hissed at as I change his litterbox. I haven't tried to hold him -- he does not like being toweled -- he gets very very scared, and the rescue I got him from took the aggressive approach to socializing and he did not respond well, so I've been letting him go at his pace. I can't wait to hold him though! Any ideas of dealing with a cat who hates the sight of towels (probably due to the aggressive socializing) would be helpful -- I got a social box ready for him, but if I can't pick him up I can't get him in and out of it!

[@schliesthefirst197]

Any chance of using a loosely wadded towel as a "bed" for him, to start getting him past his current opinion of towels? I've had 45 yrs in a house with 100 acres of woods around us and an abandoned house about 500' away, so we've seen our share of ferals. Some show some "potential" (to socialize), some wouldn't let you within 50' if you were dressed in fresh salmon, and everything in between. The last 2 of our (total) 15 cats were feral, and we loved them to pieces, and vice versa. A calico just took to me after I put a can of tuna out for her on a REALLY cold day, she literally jumped in my lap & started face-mashing me. And now we have a male tabby who loves going with us for walks in the woods, and waking us up at 5:15 in case we wanted to go out. He took about 5 days of daily outdoor exposure to start coming close, and then he jumped in my lap (I was seated) and fell asleep, exhausted. We brough him in 2 nights later- he jumped up on bed in middle of the night, I waited to feel where he'd settle in, and after about 30 seconds he put his paw on my cheek!!! We also had a feral calico who had a litter under a small set of stairs behind the house. She'd never let us anywhere near her, but when we saw the kittens, we started putting food out (and chasing feral toms away). One evening I put down some food & sat about 5 feet away. She ate & stared right at me the whole time, no trust, then went under the stairs, came out with a kitten in her mouth & put it in my lap. I actually teared up. And she STILL wouldn't let us touch her. Maybe if we got more time around her, but she disappeared about 3 days later, they all did. But you're doing a great job, there's probably a sociable cat in there somewhere, he'll come around when he super-trusts you. Good luck. The Universe thanks you.

[@louisetrujillo5192]

They're all beautiful....so sad to be afraid and hungry....maybe put the Food on some plates....might be easier for them to all eat....thankyou for what you both do!!🙏🏻💙

[@TangledFlockFarm]

Trust me they get right into the food! Its just us being so close, but this batch has long been tamed now :) Thank you for watching

[@andreag1732]

Also the insides of those cans are sharp!! kittens can cut their tongues on them😮

[@Natalia-pc7fm]

I have two happy little cats who were born feral, but I got them pretty young. The real challenge is a feral mom that has had her kittens by my home, only one of her babies has survived. I’m feeding the mom everyday and after just under a week I have begun stroking her while she eats. I’m waiting for her to wean off her baby so I can have her spayed, and after the summer have her kitten spayed too. They’ll be my colony if I can gain their trust.

[@TangledFlockFarm]

Food is always the key eh? Slowly but surely they tend to give in. They want it so bad, and then they just get used to seeing you every day. Before they know it they are tame! :) At least on paper its that easy, real life involves a little more bleeding, lol

[@jerrykast7713]

Thank you for your good hearts. We're doing the same projects.

[@TangledFlockFarm]

Its very rewarding! And there is no shortage of cats that need taming for rehoming! :)

[@c.jacquemin2468]

Oh my god.....I am in love with them all but especially the black ones....... I would adopt them all if I could....

[@TangledFlockFarm]

you should definitely look at the one with extra toes, my pick of the litter for sure :)

[@MS-ns2pj]

@@TangledFlockFarm We have a torti with extra toes. 🤓

[@TangledFlockFarm]

@@MS-ns2pj Those extra toes are so cute! :)

[@Dan5819]

I now wear protective gloves when having to handle them in the very beginning.

[@TangledFlockFarm]

That will save you from some scratches for sure. They certainly get me from time to time

[@AlexHarsh607]

I found a 100% feral kitten laying next to a dead kitten 3 nights ago on my way home I just so happened to have a fishing next and a decent size cardboard box in the truck so I decided to try and catch it well I did catch it and it was wild and full of fire… 3 night later being tonight it allowed me to pick it up with no stress and hold it close to my chest as it purred. Was really cool feeling I’m looking forward to Out future days together.. no idea if it’s a male or female but it’s name is Bailey as I found it on a dirt road called Bailey Hill 😂

[@TangledFlockFarm]

Thats so sweet. I'm sure the bond will be very strong after being saved from that type of situation :)

[@annmariemills1554]

OMG the fluffy grey one looks like my baby Harry who just recently passed and I swear if I could I would take her or him right now😍😍😢

[@TangledFlockFarm]

Those were our first batch of successes! Though they are long gone we always have more coming through :)

[@annmariemills1554]

@@TangledFlockFarm I wish! We still have 5, I had a brother and sister and the sister Daisy got out and knocked up before I got her fixed so I have her kids too and I think my husband would kill me. They were adorable you guys did a great job❤☺

[@kirbysnortfarts9819]

"Breaking"? You break a horse. You socialize a kitten. The food should be on a plate so all can eat at once.

[@graveyardbabybrinkfangirl4234]

I love hissies!

[@TangledFlockFarm]

I know, its so cute!

[@NordeggSonya]

The grey cats are natural Nebelung, like Russian Blue only long haired.

[@victorskid]

Another rescue for the Society for the Friends of Ferals (Digby) with hope for a much better future!

[@TangledFlockFarm]

We are certainly giving it our best shot to set them up for success

[@jodieg2277]

Adorable 💕

[@TangledFlockFarm]

right! who wouldn't want these babies in their home!

[@robertko5425]

@@TangledFlockFarm Good Job Rescuing these kittens, and eventually after feeding them a number of times, they will eventually get to know you, and trust you as well. Also, as long as they (the adoptees) do NOT abandoned them again, and which are mostly done by these "FOREVER ASSHOLES" or "FOREVER BASTARDS". They are the ones that are mainly causing the stray & feral cat populations to increase as well. This also gives these cat poachers a great opportunity to increase their cat meat supply as well, since cats are now increasingly being eaten by humans recently, due to the many "CAT MEAT SHOPS" that have appeared over the past 25-30 years to serve the growing immigrant communities that do eat cats, and do NOT wish to abandon their traditions from their old country as well.

[@voiceoveraudiojanet2540]

Idk I'd think a more patient approach would be better off in the long run along with more socialization with other cats and dogs.

[@TangledFlockFarm]

Most of the fosters we have do get socialized with other cats/kittens, but at this stage we just want them to get used to us. The food bribery is always the first step!

[@Montecore827]

But please use gloves! There’s no sense in getting scratched and bit. I like to start off using smooth, fitting lambskin gloves. They don’t protect from a deep bite, but they are great protection, and they distract the kittens and cats with the smell of leather. As soon as the kittens stop attacking my gloved hands l stop using gloves.

[@TangledFlockFarm]

That is good advice for sure. The only reason we don't is because we love the feel of the fur, but you are right, during the first interactions we really should have gloves on

[@Montecore827]

@@TangledFlockFarm Another reason I like lambskin is because it does allow better feel and control than thicker leathers!

[@angrycannibal6625]

You’re supposed to gradually acclimate them to humans, they have to come to you. Please let them take their time when their ready. Bless you.

[@TangledFlockFarm]

We definitely try to give them all the time they need. We don't give up on any of them :)

[@cf6823]

I've been trying to tame my spicy kittens for 2 weeks now. I have 2 that are mellow but the other 2 still hiss at me when my hand gets close. When should I start hand feeding or try something else like the social box??? Thoughts?

[@TangledFlockFarm]

I find the quickest way to allow touching to move into hand feeding is to get some can food they can't resist and place it where they will eat it, but close enough to you that you can touch them. As they eat from the can slowly pet them, they'll pull away, but keep doing it, they'll eventually get used to it because they want to eat. And if they don't eat move the can close enough to them and far enough away from you that they do. If they are too far away to pet then gradually move the can closer to you as they eat from it until you can pet them. That's the first and hardest step

[@annmariemills1554]

Get on Jackson Galaxy you tube page as well he is a frickin "cat whisperer" good luck and yes definitely have patience

[@bettinabottyanszki1656]

The best is given them food regulary, toys, good place to sleep and leave them alone, they will come close to you by their own, don't pressure them.

[@NurkePL]

You can never have too many cats :D

[@TangledFlockFarm]

Well, we are certainly going to push it until we know for sure! lol

[@onthedownside]

Ferral kittens are problematic in the beginning. Their forever gratitude & loyalty are 100% worth it.Ive turned a few into my personal in house pets!

[@TangledFlockFarm]

Its a very rewarding process isn't it?

[@onthedownside]

I yousta rent an old farm house with a barn.I accumulated some cats.My in the house cat for 15 years started as homeless lol If karma luck involves helping cats I'm good!

[@TangledFlockFarm]

@@onthedownside Sounds like you have a ton of great Karma!

[@onthedownside]

@TangledFlockFarm I'm good with cats lol.People no so much lol

[@TangledFlockFarm]

@@onthedownside I hear you there! As homesteaders I think its a trait that a lot of us carry lol

[@josie4peace]

Where is their bedding? Something soft.

[@TangledFlockFarm]

They were just in a transition into their sleeping cage, they had a nice bed :)

[@josie4peace]

@@TangledFlockFarm 💖

[@robertko5425]

You need to give them some water as well, so that they can wash down their cat food into their system.

[@TangledFlockFarm]

Don't worry, they always have water, we just had to move their bowl during the video so we could fit in there to take the video :)

[@schliesthefirst197]

I've had cats for over 50 years, and they hardly ever drink water except on really hot, humid days, or after serious exertion, but even then they don't drink much. They get most of their liquids from their food, unless they're omly getting dry food.

[@nancydavis4618]

They are scared. It takes time. Poor babies

[@TangledFlockFarm]

It takes time for sure. But they always come around with enough time.

[@thatsradgaming9305]

I don’t think you’re supposed to bring the food closer. Try to pet the kittens belly.

[@TangledFlockFarm]

It really depends on the situation, I've definitely had quite a few cats that would skin me raw if I went for the belly!

[@joshuapeppars6985]

Where did u get these feral kittens ?? A trap ??

[@TangledFlockFarm]

No, we were part of a rescue group, they found them, usually surrendered or found by others and then delivered them to us, or we picked them up

[@josie4peace]

You don't go in right away with hands. They need a break to be calm. Do your research!

[@kirbysnortfarts9819]

One word: CHURU

[@TangledFlockFarm]

Churu like the cat treats?

[@pisspls]

i have a feral kitten and she adapted pretty fast it took her a week to stop hissing and she did that all on her own i didnt have to really train her on her first night i gave her a bath to get fleas off of her and she destroyed my arm out of fear. it took her a few days to get used to my dog and stop trying to attack him. she does have some strange behaviors that i dont understand and wish i could find more information about but nobody has the answer. she has her own room to sleep in at night and when i open the door she yowls and arches her back like shes scared but she rubs her body on my legs in that position and i have no idea what that means SHE DOES IT EVERYTIME I OPEN THE DOOR. she constantly purs when shes near me she does not stop i have no idea what that means she doesnt want affection but she'll come up to me and purr. she also follows me everywhere meowing like she wants something but she doesnt want to be held she doesnt want food she doesnt want to play she just follows me meowing i wish i knew what that meant. if anybody has any answers to these behaviors please let me know :))

[@TangledFlockFarm]

It could be as simple as she likes your company but doesn't want to be held. We have a few kittens like that. They are quite friendly, but really don't enjoy being picked up.

[@schliesthefirst197]

It might mean she wants to be outside again. Our last two (of 15 in 45 yrs) were feral, and we HAD to let them out almost every day. They also DEFINITELY had a few "quirks", and they both spent a small percentage of time where they seemed possessed, like they were going back to some "batbleep feral" mindset. But they were both REALLY smart, observant & affectionate. And the male tabby we have now learned how to turn on faucets, grabs the handle of the sliding door when he wants to go out, and grabs the shade cords when he want to look out a window. If he had thumbs, he'd rule the world.

[@HATEemALL]

Do you have a phone number I could call and pick your brain for a little bit. I just saved a feral kitten today and the back story is elaborate to say the least and I have some questions and I'm looking for some tips on getting this little ball of fluff to come around.

[@TangledFlockFarm]

We have absolutely terrible cell phone coverage where we are (its actually why we have starlink internet) how about we have a conversation about it here, do you think you can summarize the issue?

[@HATEemALL]

@@TangledFlockFarm he is 1 of two kittens. Mom and sibling were unfortunately displaced due to taking a ride unbeknownst to my lady somewhere under her car to the other side of town. We went to see if we could find them but no luck. We are very sad and torn up about it. The other kitten was saved yesterday when he was found up under the hood of the car. Although he is scared, he would let you pet him but he would them retreat back to his box. As of this morning he's been roaming outside the box, still finding places to hide still and getting himself stuck in those spots, he is purring when I hold him and cuddle with him. He also smelled and licked my nose. Are those signs that he is coming around?

[@TangledFlockFarm]

@@HATEemALL Definitely signs he is coming around. Keep in mind the process can be slow, so as long as progress is being made its wonderful. We have a few ferals that will allow being held but will still actively hide from us if given the chance. Just being around them a lot of holding them peacefully as often as you can will no doubt win them over :)

[@HATEemALL]

@@TangledFlockFarm getting him to use his box, since he has been outside learning things, will he instinctively know that that is where you go? And is it him getting used to being inside the reason for the hesitation on going?