Taming Feral Kittens and Cats

[@mamakath1966]

💜 LOVE the dedication and compassion! So true that they need to commit to accepting help. Just need to be patient and persistent. Bless you for helping the cats and kittens!! 😊🙏💜

[@SouthernGal5534]

Took me a couple of months leaving feed and talking to my feral boy, but once he looked me in the eyes it was over. He let me pet him and a few days later hold him. 3 years later, so much love. He sleeps with me every night...my best little buddy for sure.❤

[@julieharris8188]

That absolutely warms my heart. Thank you for caring for that precious furry-soul! I'm encouraged as I took in a precious feral boy last week. Had him neutered & am now helping him to trust with an abundance of love & reassurance ❤

[@jasthomas4291]

Did you keep him in a room until he felt comfortable inside your house? Were there more ppl living in the house with you at that time?

[@anthonyhunt3014]

I've tried to win over a feral for a few months yesterday we slow blinked at eachother and he let me let him he hopped in my lap scared me to death he is one of the biggest if not the biggest cat I've seen in real life he runs the neighborhood all other cats bow down to him lol

[@ashleighnelson512]

I have trapped 4 stray / partial feral cats in my back yard. None had been fixed or had a microchip. With patience and positive reinforcement they have all traded in their feral cards and are happy members of the family (six cats + 1 doggo)

[@urbancatleague3314]

The video quality is much improved here from the previous version. The previous version had over a million views on various platforms even with the poor quality. I hope this version will serve as many people wanting to help street kittens find a safe home. All the best, Mike Phillips Urban Cat League

[@wtxrailfan]

A feral female cat showed up at my house a few months ago and I started feeding her dry cat food. Recently she has six kittens tagging along with her. I began feeding her wet food. At first she would hiss as I set the food outside. But it wasn't an angry hiss, it was just her way of expressing joy at getting the wet food. The hisses soon changed to meows as she warmed up to me after the wet food began. Within a week she was coming inside my house. She's very well behaved and her motor runs 100 mph. She lets me pet her and pick her up. She loves to rub her head on, and head butt, every piece of furniture. But her six kittens (which are about 6-8 weeks old) are another story. Whenever they see or hear me, they run for cover in the carport. I'm not setup with traps and cages to corral them ... and I'm too old to be chasing them down. I live in a small rural town far away from any groups that might offer resources. So I'm hoping maybe some of the mother's sociable behaviors will rub off on them and I can get them all inside the house. Get mom cat fixed and figure out the rest.

[@CB-ds8fm]

We found a feral kitten and wanted to learn how to socialize him to be a house cat. After a week he is part of the family and a happy kitty. I believe the transition to house cat went so smooth because of what I learned from the video. Thanks to Mike and the Urban Cat League.

[@mphil22]

Thanks so much for the appreciation, but you did the work!! Urban 😺 League

[@mphil22]

❤ Congrats! Thanks for the kind words!! Urban 😺 League

[@sandrawhitney3801]

​@@mphil22is dafx 1Q2wezzEq

[@sylviaburton6923]

Thank you for your video ! I had a feral kitten in my barn . He had a bot fly “worm” that had burrowed into his chest . I caught him , removed the worm and used your technique. Within 24 hours he is eating from my hand and letting me pet him. I needed help and you had such a great video . Thank you for what you do . Percy is now on his way to being healthy for his scheduled neuter and will live a healthy life .

[@urbancatleague3314]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@carolyngarman1422]

I adopted three feral rescue siblings when they were about 5 months old and had not been socialized at all. I just kept them in my house and let them approach me in their time. I fed them treats and played with them with chase toys. The two boys approached me much earlier than the girl. She would watch me pet and play with her brothers and finally decided I wasn't going to hurt her. Now they all want to sleep on me and are jealous of my attention. I grew up on a farm with all kinds of animals and just have an instinct of how to approach and work with them.

[@mphil22]

Congrats to you!! 👏🎉 Urban Cat League

[@jasthomas4291]

Super

[@thedellyrulez]

im in this same situation! 3 ex-feral siblings, though mine are 3.5-4 years old but were trapped about 7 months old. one week in one boy is loving playing with a wand, but still gives me warning hisses when i come too close! the girl likes to watch, whereas the other boy is being a lil baby at the moment.

[@VoodooKitty]

Thank you for this video, I volunteer for a rescue in Australia. We often trap and rehome stray and feral cats. I currently have a feral cat as a foster at the moment, hes a very sweet boy, not aggressive, just scared. This video has given me some great tips.

[@835Evelyn]

I want to thank Mike for this support in taming my small feral kitten Asami. She is now 5 years old and the most loving cat in the world. Mike's method shown in the video worked wonders :)

[@mphil22]

Thanks so much for the kind words!! Mike, Urban 😺 League

[@ninaconnolly6077]

I live in a rural area, and have a barn with horses. I have two adult cats who came as ferals that I just gradually got closer to. I fed them inside hard shell crates. The first one , Max, finally was in the crate all the way so I quickly closed the door and brought him straight to the vet (who really didn't appreciate my good deed of neutering this feral cat, as it tore him up and his assistants lol) Now almost 10 years later he is a sweet baby who can be picked up and held and whatever. I have a Black Cat who also arrived and he has tamed down now so I can pet him and hold him,. but he doesn't care to be held. Finally I now have a n older kitten maybe 5 or 6 months, and I caught her and have her in a proper cat cage inside as of yesterday, and looking forward to watching this all the way through when I am done with my morning chores!

[@thinkforyourselfjohn3167]

Your funny when you mentioned how the cat tore up the vet and his assistant. God Bless you for helping the kitties.

[@laurahart2250]

Thank you so much! We have four 6-7 week olds in our care whose mother was killed by a car and we are complete amateurs at socialisation. I have watched all the way through twice now and taken notes!

[@1jedcaleb]

It’s all about being patient and moving at their pace when possible. Mike definitely has great techniches and content.

[@laurahart2250]

@@1jedcaleb I am pleased to report all four are now well socialised kittens - lots of purrs and snuggles :)

[@1jedcaleb]

Thank you. Lots of wonderful content!! Starting socializing with 3 -8 week old kittens. They have great potential!! So excited to use your techniques… I have had the privilege to take in 5 outdoor cats and 2 of their kittens over the last 7 years- they have become good company for each other… I enjoy watching them progress and come to me!!

[@Withered_Souls187]

I trapped a 3 or 4 month old kitten last weekend, she’s been living under the shed in the backyard and it actually took three days. I’m extremely lucky cause I have four cats already and seeing them outside and how they used the litter box outside, plus me or my mom would always leave food out for her. Well today she had her first bath and was really calm, she loves being pet and pretty much trusts us so much already.

[@cherylannverrall1]

Your Love radiates beautiful intelligent thinking man....Thank You....Happy Kindreds...xxx

[@strandedcandid]

Wonderful information! I sooo wish I'd had this video 20.years ago! My husband and I have tamed 24 feral cats, outside, since 2002. The process would have gone much smoother if I'd had this video, but better late than never 😊 Thanks so much 😁🎉

[@mphil22]

Thanks so much for the recommendation from experienced people working with ferals for 20 years! Mike Urban Cat League

[@mphil22]

Wow, that's an awesome acknowledgement coming from someone already so experienced in socializing! Very humble thanks!! Urban 😺 League

[@annachernomordik9878]

Wow you are truly a hero! Must have been lots of work. Thank you for helping those kitties 🥰

[@minkyf4984]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad to have found your video as I am caring for a "feral" adult mom and older 3 month two kittens for the first time. Most of the videos found online are only aimed at 8 week kittens or younger, so it's awesome that you made a video that includes older kittens and adults. Thank you again.

[@mphil22]

Good luck with the project! Our videos are longer and maybe less "entertaining," but we try to be comprehensive to give as much info as possible.

[@mphil22]

Thanks for the kind words! Urban 😺 League

[@seastnanseastnan7765]

Your videos are 'entertaining' me with solid information that I can use in getting my newly acquired THEO settled into a multi-cat family situation.

[@whyarepeoplecrazy]

I took a mom with kittens from my shelter. I socialized the kittens easily but mom didn’t come around enough to put her up for adoption. Now, I have Athena as part of my home. She comes to me for pets and loves me. I’d never pick her up, but she loves me in her own way. Maybe one day, she’ll come get on my lap like another cat who I got from a colony. I had her four years before I could touch her. However, she was eventually a lap cat. I had her for 16 years. ❤️ I now have a very fearful 3 month old who was facing euthanasia. Send me good vibes!! 😂

[@josie4peace]

💖🙏

[@mphil22]

Consider them sent! Urban 😺 League

[@ARMY_LA-MIGRA]

I recently got 2 feral kittens. They're about 4 moths now i believe. I got the male first cause i was original expecting to just get 1. A week after he got a bit use to me i felt bad that i couldn't get his sister. Once i gave an update to the person that trapped him, he mentioned he still had the sister, so i decided to get her too. She's definitely more of a challenge and has bitten me and scratched me a lot more than the male. Still working on socializing her but i can already tell it will take longer especially since you just confirmed it for me. Thanks for the info, i greatly appreciate it.

[@Hannelore7]

I rescued 24 feral cats and they are the funniest to watch. I have a sanctuary for them. They have been with me 10 years now and am down to 9 feral now. But I was able to tame 3 of them with time and love and the rest would be considered semi now. But it's ok..they have a good life. Exactly..I let the ferals do what they want and no pressure and that seems to make them very happy.

[@sadiesing]

Full of meaty content. I learned a lot of new tricks. Thank you!

[@RealShadowfiend180x]

Believe it or not i accidentally opened this video as my phone was bugging out and i watched the entire thing without fast forwarding or pausing and i learnt so much it is a shame here in the uk we dont get feral cats not that i know of anyway but we do get strays they are usually very friendly 9/10 times but honestly i learnt so much here thank you so much for this knowledge with love from the UK ❤️ liked and subscribed

[@the420aries]

I'm so glad to find this video to share with fosters. We have been rescuing kittens and TNRing adults for a few years and this is great information, I learned somethings too! Bless you for doing this work! To give people hope, we (mostly) socialized a beautiful 7-8 month old male that now loves to be pet when eating and sleeps in our bed. You can't pick him up, but he has come such a long way from being totally feral. I've found bringing in a kitten that is well socialized helps a lot to gain trust with a semi-social cat in the same household. I'm trying to socialize two female mostly ferals right now that are likely 7-8 months old - and agree, males are much easier!

[@mphil22]

Congrats on your successful socialization. We've found homes for many cats like the one you described. Friendly, love to be petted, but, "don't pick me up please!" They make terrific 2nd cats for people who don't want another lap cat. We promote them with "meet your cat's new fitness director." Thanks for sharing the video with your fosters! All the best, mike Urban 😺League

[@nyxcin1]

Exceĺlent information. I like that you I are so respectful of feral cat nature and dispelling some of the uninformed memes floating around the KZbiniverse. I did watch the entire video and subscribed. Thank you.

[@alanhall6909]

Yeah, I never leave food in the crate when I'm away. Food is to be associated with me only. Only exception is starving freaked out cat first put in cage. In that case, I'm lucky if they eat anything. But just smelling the food makes them relaxed a little. They get the idea that this isn't a horrible place where they will starve to death. If they have a place to hide, food and water, they calm down and are happy to be in a safe quiet place to hide.

[@josie4peace]

Good tips :o)

[@nangel270]

Great info. Thank you for your service of love.

[@annaromanovskaia7942]

Mike, thank you so much for this video! I found this video while taking care of an adult feral cat post surgery. This video is very informative and include so many useful techniques and tips for taming cats. It is focused on kittens of different ages, and there is also several episodes where taming older cats explained as well.

[@mphil22]

Yes, this video is much more in depth than the short videos for entertainment and we're so glad to hear that you found the extra info valuable! Thanks, Urban 😺 League

[@vladakovbasa8329]

Thank you so much for the information! Mostly ppl'd recommend me to release back adult feral cat, but he is constantly attacked there and has to be fed separately....You gave me hope that he can adapt inside

[@mphil22]

If you give him space to be himself most adult cat will settle in for a slow long-term socialization. If he was getting attacked, it sounds like one of those situations where it is worth the extra effort. He'll be grateful. Leaving a carrier out in the house is a good idea to keep him used to it and comfortable in case you ever need to get him inside for a trip to the vet. I leave them alone to explore the house as much as possible and they gradually adjust and spend more and more time out in sight and relaxed.

[@vladakovbasa8329]

@@mphil22 for now unfortunately he has to be confined (in a big bathroom, I removed everything from there, and set up quite a few hiding spots for him to be comfortable). I have another cat, and vet insisted on having 2 weeks quarantine at least, after the last vaccination is done to my new feral friend. But I notice that they kind of talk through the door and can't wait to introduce them properly. I suspect that they will find a common ground faster than he will adapt to me. He is eating next to me already (5 days progress) , but immediately hisses at me, once food is over and bolts back to the hiding spot...

[@josie4peace]

💖🙏

[@1jedcaleb]

Kitten school has a really great idea on a social box to get cats comfortable with their situation.

[@thinkforyourselfjohn3167]

Thank you so much for this helpful video much appreciated. I've been feeding an older feral cat and have learned a lot from this video.

[@cordovanbee]

Lots of great information!! Thanks

[@trinaphelvin393]

currently have a terrified mum and two bubs about 8 weeks....very helpful video...im scared im not gonna lie just want the best for them...mum is defo fear shes just sits and looks away ..breaks my heart

[@MrWrathkun]

thanks for this video extremely helpful

[@janalatham8840]

I am doing a TNR on a feral cat colony. I however want to keep one of them whose a year old adult. She meows to me, comes if she wants to come when I call her and she cried when I trapped her last night. I think she might have a chance at taming. I could return her to the colony but she seems to like me and I like her. I want to give her a chance at a better life. I have a large cage that’s on a large table set up in my living room. I don’t have a room to lock her in. She will be able to look out the window. I will be introducing her to my tiny dog. She’s a 12.5 schnoodle. Pray that I can.

[@josie4peace]

🙏💖

[@mphil22]

Let us all know how it goes please! Urban 😺 League

[@HearTruth]

I frequent the Whitman Projects Cat Colony. I do what I can but it's not enough in my eyes. I am glad to have found your channel. I hope it will inspire me as I learn more from the content. God bless you and them. Job 12:10 Pro 12:10 --- 1 Co 13: 4- Love is patient, love is kind..... 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

[@Christina-pj2uv]

This is wonderful! Lots of valuable information. Thank you so much. ♥

[@mphil22]

Thanks for the comment! We're trying to help as many people and kittens as possible. 😺🤞🐈

[@sersaysersay854]

I should have watched this before begining to try and socialize the feral kittens. I engaged with them with talk and vocal calls...but it seemed to benefit in another way, they now come when I start calling softly, then then shake a food bag. They know those sounds mean food at least. Now I am being more calm around them and just looking at my phone while they eat their fill and decide they are done and leave.

[@gretchenburton7184]

Thank you so much. I took in a 1.5 yr old community cat after he was teapped and neutered about 2 weeks ago. He is in the master bath. Have petted him but he swipes. Using Feliway products and rescue remedy in his food. He ises the litter box. He probably had a home as he can be so affectionate and purrs. However is incredibly fearful.

[@josie4peace]

Is he out of the bathroom and into another room or the house, yet? Best to you :o)

[@kaybonette]

I love this video and just discovered you today. We adopted a feral kitten 5 months ago. Callie was supposed to be 8 weeks but she was so tiny I thought she might be 6 1/2 to 7 weeks so she is now 7 months. She sleeps on our bed with 2 dogs. A 14 year old min poodle who doesn't have any interest in the kitten and a 2 year old mini goldendoodle who wants to play a lot with her and they do play. Callie likes petting but does not like being held although she likes my husband petting her belly. I give her treats but only when I pick her up. After 3 or 4 treats, she's done and wiggles to get down. I'm hoping I can do something to get her to enjoy being held before it's too late.

[@mphil22]

I'll bet you can. We have lots of cats that have gradually become very friendly lap cats in time. With you, the doodle and your husband, it looks like she's going to have a great life!

[@SayY0]

This is so helpful, thanks a million

[@constanceadamski2402]

Any suggestions never had any awareness of cats whole life feral mother with 4 kittens trap all and got spayed. Have a property that is truly a cat haven. When I arrive are all sitting waiting for me for feeding practically attack me come so close to eat. Momma is the challenge doesn’t hiss she mothered them at 5 months. Got her spayed in September said she was 1 years said kittens 4 moths. She is deaf they all keep distance of at least 5 ft after eating but are so laid back can’t wait until I can pet. They have eaten from hand not momma but coming closer.

[@monicamroch]

Thank you for doing this! I wish you had a Q & A program, LOL. Your patience and experience is precious!! I’m having some difficulty with one feral kitten about 13 weeks old. Maybe I need encouragement that it’s not hopeless. Its sibling is progressing fine, but this one is still hissing all the time. :(. They are both female, tri-colored and had an orange/white mother. But your video is helping me!!

[@mphil22]

Thanks! We're always willing to do a Q&A session after a virtual workshop with Rescues, TNR groups or shelter staff. We also happily answer questions to our email address given in the video. Urban 😺 League

[@leslieboslar]

Excellent

[@elizabethschosslerelizabet4240]

Susto não preso Casa minha casa 🏠 parece Cama sono gata mama 🐈 Deus te abençoe Linda adora 😍😍❤

[@KittyMontrealPar]

Lots of good information in this video 41:14 , thanks a bunch ❤❤

[@maybelleohrberg6089]

What I heard on TV 10 yrs. Ago that in one city that they catch the ferdal cats they got the fixed and put them back outside

[@mphil22]

Yes, TNR (trap, neuter, return) is widely practiced around the world now starting 40 years ago in South Africa. It's called "The Humane Solution."

[@fosterandforeverpetrescue9195]

I watched your new, longer video and it was excellent, it provided more insight and logic to how cats think and respond to the world, though I think your original series was excellent and very helpful as well. It was interesting and reinforcing to see a lot of your techniques, as I have also made similar observations and used similar techniques such as using play, other friendly cats and leaving cat carriers and cages around for cats to get used to... then one day, just closing the door and whisking them off to the vet. The part about nature/nurture where 1 out of 5 orange+white cats are females and they are the hardest to socialize hit home, as I have adopted an orange female who was born in rescue, is really sweet, gentle and friendly, yet even still, she has a strong FFF response (mostly Flight) and is startled by every little noise or movement in our busy house. I was especially amazed at the results for Clancy at the end. How he let you pet him so much (all over) for the very first time was incredible. Thanks again for the great videos. I can't wait for our fosters to watch them and try out the techniques. I'm sure they will be encouraged and motivated by how successful they are.

[@mphil22]

Our original socialization video, Tough Love had over 1 Million views. Back then KZbin could only handle it split into10 minute segments. We're putting it together in a single video on the channel. Thanks for the feedback. Many groups tell us that they share this with their fosters.

[@deedeeseecee9294]

Wow, great video😊

[@equinox9598]

Thank you this is very informative!

[@fludrbywest3886]

❤thank you so much for the video it helps so much❤

[@eviltaylor1]

My mother used to get me to catch feral kittens/cats from a small disused farm where they culled them every so often due to their numbers, it was mercy to catch them so didn't care about annoying them, was that or get drowned. We spotted an amazingly coloured one crossing the road once, stopped the car and she sent me off to catch it which I didn't expect to actually do but he got slowed by the hedge so I got him, probably 6 months old and tore my arms to shreds. Try putting an angry feral cat in the car for a 2 minute drive, not happy even by feral cat standards and was under the seats hissing with us all keeping our legs up out of her range, we gave her to a friend after we tamed her but someone stole her she was that unique. We got one once and it was pure white and really fluffy, also lactose intolerant so would charm other people into giving her milk then return home half brown.

[@newkkl]

You mentioned some other videos in this one with more details on specific issues, e.g., getting cats who aren’t used to them into a carrier, but I don’t see them on the channel. Did I misunderstand, or do you have another channel? Thank you. This is a great and very helpful video.

[@kirra94]

I have a cat and it's two kittens that were living in my backyard... the mother cat became very friendly to us after a few weeks... but she wouldn't let the kittens near us... now the kittens are maybe 5 months old and she attacks them when they come near her... she has become tamed... we can pick her up and everything... the kittens still don't trust us... but they do come inside the house and play with toys. We just got them all spayed and have the kittens in a big dog cage... they are really not happy about any of it... the kittens are a male orange cat and female tricolour... the stay in their carrier... the female stays at the back and the male stays at the front and hisses at us now 😅 Not sure if we have ruined all the progress we made with the kittens by spaying them... but we had to because they were getting older and being a boy and girl.. we had to do it 😅 I'm gonna try your tips in the video. Thank you for all the information! Also if you have any tips on how to stop the mum from hissing at the kids? That would be really appreciated 😅 we have a calming spray and diffuser but doesn't seem to do anything

[@josie4peace]

💖🙏

[@leftyjcw7173]

I live in the country. I have 17. I’ve managed to tame 5 of them. It only took 5 years on two of them. Three of the younger kittens were easier. The others come running at feeding time. But can’t quite touch most of them

[@Mdme.X]

Really informative vid. Thank you. Question: I started using a little catnip with the feral colony on my street. It calms them - fewer fights, friendlier prego moms with older kittens. What do you think about this?

[@Mdme.X]

Ps. Working on TNR program right now. Prior caretaker didn't do it for whatever reason.

[@mphil22]

Glad to hear that you are doing TNR! We plant catnip for our outdoor colonies and they love it too. We scrunch the fresh leaves and they eat them like salad before the main course of wet food. Cats love the greens as well as the dried catnip. Best wishes for the TNR project!!

[@mindfulmadeline]

Gosh I wish the stupid algorithm had recommended this video a long time ago. I trapped 5 feral kittens at around 8 weeks, with mama. So many mistakes were made. I left mama with them for way way too long, mostly because I was trying to get her spayed and couldn’t get an appointment right away. I had no idea the females brains matured faster and that’s why they have progressed super slowly. I also took stupid advice such as wrapping the most scared/spicy one in a towel because we were making zero progress. She did eat a little churu while in the towel but I don’t think she ever actually relaxed. Then after 4 vet appts for vaccines and being spayed, we’ve had more negative than positive experiences. They are all socialized except for her. I also wished I had blocked all hiding places in my bedroom before I released them from the bathroom. I finally blocked under the bed and under other furniture just recently (they are around 18 weeks now) and I have finally seen some serious progress with her!!! She may never be a people cat but I hope I can at least get her to the point where she can coexist and allow someone to care for her indoors…

[@mphil22]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, the algorithm doesn't seem to favor "deep dive" videos longer than 10 minutes. Glad to hear that you are starting to make progress. Past mistakes gradually fade with reinforced positive associations but, she may always be on guard for the sound of the clink of a carrier door. A dose of Gabapentin the night before and again 2 hrs before vet appts helps these cats later in life to deal with their ingrained anxiety from childhood. The vet will happily give the Gaba to you as it makes their job less stressful too. All the best, Mike Phillips, Urban 😺 League

[@AnthonySanchez-if6wd]

My girl is 4! And its taking me that long to lap train her!

[@nplatt91]

Great info

[@alanhall6909]

Kittens are very competitive and learn by watching others so it helps for a very fearful kitten to be with a tamer one because the fearful one sees the tame one eating and enjoying pets, so the fearful one will want what the tame one is getting. This works best with feeding by hand. It is kitten instinct to grab food the others are eating. I was treating an older feral tom that was very injured and weak and one eye punctured. I had him in a crate and tried putting a couple of friendly kittens in with him. As he recovered, he turned into a big kitten, laying on his back and enjoying tummy rubs. He even learned how to play with a feather toy. But I couldn't adopt him out because he always reverted to total feral attack bite mode when anyone else but me was around. He would viciously attack me too. Having a stranger around flipped his switch from friendly to feral instantly.

[@KittyMontrealPar]

1:34:04 thank you ❤

[@buds8423]

Is there a point where feral Mom can be reintroduced to kittens and friendly other cat to help her adjust, or will she mess up her kittens? Shortage of space, and long term care in site…

[@mphil22]

A feral mom will be difficult to reintegrate into the setup. We usually spay and return to her habitat asap. If mom is a tame community cat she could be spayed and adopted along with the kittens unless she has a safe, happy, cared-for-life in the neighborhood. There is no standard answer for this question. ❤

[@FrankGoodnight]

great instruction...i have 5 stray

[@jenniferstewart1562]

We caught some 3 month old kittens and they went with a rescuer to get spayed and then returned to us last night. She had them for 3 plus days after the spay and they seemed ok, but now that they have come back to our house they are huddled in bed and will not eat with me in the room or even with me out of room. We are at 17 hours since they arrived at our house and I am worried. Do I just need to leave them alone for a bit to cool off and stop checking on them? When do I worry about the eating?

[@mistysmith5392]

I am working with two kittens that were dumped at approximately 10 to 12 weeks old. They have lived in the field by my house for about 2.5 months. One is progressing really quickly learning to trust humans again but the sibling doesn't want anything to do with me petting her. It's only been a week and a half with her and she will eat treats out of my hand and food on my lap. Any tips to get her used to petting?

[@mphil22]

I can only reiterate the same points in the video. At that age space out the meals until they are hungry enough to allow it. Orientation is important; place yourself on their side with the bowl past the sight line of your hand. Start leaving your hand on the bowl causing casual contact as their wishers touch your hand and their body grazes your arm as they eat. Go gently increasing that incidental contact to slight intentional contact from you. If they are siblings and the shy one is female she may not become a lap cat, but eating from your hand and relaxed with you that close is a victory and the rest will come with persistent work. Or just let her take her time with it at her pace. Some adopters don't want a lap cat. They want a companion to make their cat less lonely. Getting her this far is enough for some adopters.

[@mistysmith5392]

@@mphil22 sounds good! She is definitely not going back to the field. Thank you 🙏😊

[@chrisdutoit2641]

Thank you for the advice and pointers. A few weeks ago, two adult cats, one male and the other female were dumped not far from where I live. The female cat apparently had a pair of two week old kittens. Unfortunately we were only made aware of this by neighbors when the kittens were between 6 and 8 weeks old. It took me five days to trap both kittens, the mom, as well as the male cat. When we got home we immediately started socializing them. We have made good progress since obviously the adult cats were already socialized to some extent. But the kittens were extremely spicy. We have gotten to the point where one kitten climbs all over us while playing, but still doesn't like being petted and refuses to take food from our hands. The other kitten still hisses at us, but does come closer to play and is showing very slow progress. Every time is like starting from square one with him. Should we just continue as we are at the moment? Or are some kittens just doomed to stay unsocial or mildly social forever?

[@mphil22]

Did you stick with it? With determination they all usually come around.

[@careythacker8160]

I tamed a feral cat and he lived in my home for the past year and finally felt safe. The other day I tried to put him in my car in a kennel to move with us and my other cat was in the kennel. It became a chaotic experience, my feral slipped out and ran away. I’m heartbroken but he’s staying in the yard of my home he felt safe in but now he runs from me when he sees me. He’s terrified of me now and I don’t know what to do. I want him to come back to me and move to our new place but he’s gone back to the way he was before he came into my home. I’ve broke his trust and am trying to earn it back by leaving his food bowls out, showing up often through the day, I left a shirt with my scent in my hostas where he slept in the beginning and his bed on my back porch. I’ve also left trails of treats. Everyone says to live trap him but I’m worried he’ll be traumatized again. Please help if you have any ideas, he’s become my baby and it breaks my heart that he doesn’t feel safe with me anymore. TIA

[@josie4peace]

I'm so sorry. Any update? Were you able to have him move with you? Praying for you...

[@jogordon1530]

I was taking care of three adults - female had kittens and they are now about 8 weeks old. Question - we have trapped the adults including the female and got them TNRed. We plan on using a drop trap to get the four kittens. However, we have a feeling we are going to end up trapping the mother as well as the feeding station is now under the trap. Will this make the mother move the kittens once they are returned? AND if we trap the kittens this way, will it deter what I have already put forth in taming them? I play with them in the afternoon, have petted three of them (while they were eating) and am wondering if the trapping will erase all my efforts. Thanks for any type of direction.

[@migrose6547]

I am thinking of taking in a cat that i have been feeding for 2 yrs. It wont let me get close, but meows as its waiting for its food. Do you think this is a stray or feral? I already have 2 indoor cats and wondering if this"stray" would be happy inside.

[@josie4peace]

Does she come out during the day? If so, probably a stray. Normally, from my experience, ferals come out at night.

[@PaigePlates]

I have a semi feral cat I feed every night and the neighbors are now making me stop, I don’t live there. She has no colony, just one single orange cat I see her with very rarely. I only have two options, stop feeding her completely which breaks my heart. Or trap her against her will and drive her back to my house and try to tame her. Thoughts? Some context: she hisses as I approach her sometimes bc she is scared, than as I get close she meows like crazy and eye kissed me and will rub her face against trees and look at me but not let her pet her. She gets zoomies and rolls around on her back when she sees me but I can’t ever touch her. Would she be happier in my “captivity”? And be fed and warm and loved, or would she prefer to stay outside but not get fed at all anymore? HELP

[@josie4peace]

Bless your heart. Did you try trapping her? I think she'd be happier, over time, with you.

[@pinanongsangaroon5899]

will these techniques work with 1.5 yrs female cat? she was a semi feral, i have her for a year, but she's still scares of many things.

[@mphil22]

Older cats are part of the video if you watch it through to the end. It takes longer, but the techniques can work very well.

[@pinanongsangaroon5899]

@@mphil22 Thank you, I'm at the end of the video now; your video is a life saver.

[@mistysmith5392]

I have a female feral that I was able to soft trap in my garage. I had previously trapped her to get her fixed and have her eye looked at. The vet said she had entropion. I took her in for surgery yesterday and brought her home and she is currently in a kennel. The vet wants her back in 14 days to remove stitches. My plan was to keep her in the large kennel in my garage so I know that I will be able to get her back. I think I have done everything wrong so far. Do you have any suggestions?

[@mistysmith5392]

What is your opinion on taking feral kittens away from their mother? We trapped all five of a feral cats kittens in three stages. After we caught the last one she disappeared and we haven't seen the mamma since. She used to eat at our houses frequently and we haven't seen her in two weeks. She has been fixed so it has nothing to do with that. I feel guilty for taking all her kittens

[@mphil22]

For a medical situation you have done nothing wrong. If you decide that you think it is best to tame her to live indoors, you can follow the location suggestions in the video after she has the sutures removed. Until then your priority should be minimizing too much movement during her recovery and making sure that you can easily get her back to the vet for her follow up appointment. After that you can start using the ideas in the video for building more trust and confidence by allowing her a larger space to choose to come to you for socializing. It's terrific that you were able to get the Entropion surgery done for her. That can be very painful to live with and I'm sure she will indirectly be wanting to be more friendly to you knowing that she is feeling much pain relief and a more comfortable quality of life already since you have confined her. You may find that she becomes much more friendly rather quickly now that the eye pain is reduced.

[@mphil22]

A mother cat gradually loses the instinctive protectiveness that is brought on by the maternal hormones during the first 8 weeks of her kitten's life. After those maternal hormones wane, she often chases them off when they try to nurse or want her attention. You should not feel guilty for getting everyone neutered and finding homes for the kittens. Even if you are able to care for the entire family outdoors (which is also fine) they probably would all become fairly independent and not operate as a family unit for very long. Experts say the mother/kitten and sibling bonds outdoors are often no stronger than bonds they create with other cats they encounter outside their family. Indoors when there are only two siblings or a mother/child pair living together, then they can often show to be closely bonded. Outdoors they often pick a best friend outside the family unit that isn't related at all. The mother cat may have chose your yard as the safest place to have kittens and now that they are gone she has moved on to a place she has chosen as best to resume her independent life. You did her a great service getting her spayed, and the entire experience may have frightened her a bit, but don't be surprised if she doesn't eventually resurface if she isn't receive food elsewhere. She'll remember your care and come back if she really needs it.

[@isoldecurry4321]

We have a previously semi-feral that accidentally slipped out of the house Sunday morning. He's lived inside with us for the last 9 months and came in on his own back in October. He's super cuddly and sweet when he's inside, and loves our other two indoor cats. He accidentally darted outside Sunday, and is also staying in our yard, thankfully, but he's reverted back to his semi-feral behavior and pretty nonchalant for the most part. He'll come to us for pets on his terms, but won't really let us handle him, and it's been stressful for all of us. We almost got him back inside We want to get him back inside as soon as possible for his safety and for our piece of mind. Ideally it would be great if we could get him comfortable with coming inside by himself and get him in the mindset that we're still his people, he's safer inside, and it's in his best interest. Any Ideas?

[@mphil22]

The "selective trapping techniques" shown in our Trapping kittens and Mom video will help you to bring him back inside. That video is targeted to trapping kittens, but the techniques shown work for trapping any single cat. successfully.

[@mphil22]

That video is on the Urban Cat League KZbin channel.

[@rumbleofdrums527]

❤

[@KenSweckard]

Wgreat video thanks for that I watched a good part of it last year when I started feeding some ferals .. so far mama feral comes inside somedays to eat. Her first set of twins are tamed to pettable and like to come get treats talk .. live in the attic after born under my garage wild for 3 months .. her second litter two more ..I tamed them both... She brought and offered them to me. She is about to be spayed this spring if she doesn't get pregnant o have about a 2 month wait here for feral program but she is almost ready to be petted she watches closely .. her mate . Was my stray I adopted a neighbor left behind and I didn't know it. He is completely tame he fed her his food almost. A month before I caught on.. but he still over a year later goes gets her when it's supper time .. if she ain't around he will hunt till he finds her. She was born outside so she was never social. But she trusts me more then any other human. She brings her kittens mice and birds to entertain them regularly she spend a lot of time with my domestic boy too .. thanks again I learned a bit from you here .

[@KenSweckard]

I did accomplish my goal of getting her inside during the winter hard months in Michigan. She is a blue Russian with the thick coat .. but when it's below zero she will spend a day or two inside . I had to put in a window door cause she doesn't like to have no escape when the fight flight kicks in. She has changed me a bit cause I realized I lowered my voice etc not to spoon her. . thanks again.

[@mphil22]

Wow that's a lot of cats to get neutered. Glad to hear that you have a feral cat program in the spring. Good luck!!

[@janalatham8840]

I wrote to you about taming a feral. She’s refusing to eat and drink and literally forced herself through the wire cage. I don’t see how but she was that determined. I am going to return her with her group. It breaks my heart but she’s not happy.

[@mphil22]

It seemed at first that she was well suited to indoor socialization from what you described, but most ferals can't be tamed from a cage as discussed in the video. They need a small open indoor space to relax and make progress. You can successfully apply the same techniques with her outdoors. Many cats have become trusting and tame outdoors over time and have a good quality of life if provided food and shelters. Don't feel defeated, it's just taking a different path.

[@janalatham8840]

@@mphil22 I am now up to 7 ferals. I have 4 that come twice a day for food but 3 come only after dark. The one feral cat will sit about 10 feet from me when I sit outside. She either steps away a foot or so or does not move when I put her food down. She’s the one I wanted to become friends with and hoped to become her cat mom. The rest seem very wild. I named most them though and when I speak to one. I say their name. I have Arabelle, Sunshine, Mischief (Next door child named that one), Doc, Charlie and two others that I don’t know their gender yet.

[@mphil22]

Wh

[@mphil22]

When you get them neutered the vet will tell you the gender. Do you have a Trap, Neuter, Return program near you? 7 cats will soon grow to be 50 in a couple years if you don't start neutering them. That will be expensive to feed them properly and provide adequate shelter. Also, the neighbors may welcome 7 cats, but with 50 there will surely be tension and disagreements.

[@nadaahmed-ku6xg]

🐺🐺🐺🐺

[@constanceadamski2402]

Time is key I hear

[@MrStevenjbalsamo]

Use a plastic spoon or knife to start hand feeding. Some cats will swipe with claws open. No fun.