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Wild Scared Kitten

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  • 22-12-2011 1:02pm
    #1
    sparkle_23
    Registered Users Posts: 654 ✭✭✭


    I've gotten a kitten off a friend. It's about 12 weeks old. We have a dog crate that the kitten can stay in till its not so scared. My sister let the kitten out of the crate and now it's hiding in our garage. It's terrified and just runs off if anyone comes near it! I'm getting that kittens sibling later on this evening. When the other kitten comes will the other maybe not be so scared? :confused: How do I calm them and get them to trust me!


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    #2
    OwaynOTT
    Registered Users Posts: 10,539 ✭✭✭✭OwaynOTT


    *Sparkle* wrote: »
    I've gotten a kitten off a friend. It's about 12 weeks old. We have a dog crate that the kitten can stay in till its not so scared. My sister let the kitten out of the crate and now it's hiding in our garage. It's terrified and just runs off if anyone comes near it! I'm getting that kittens sibling later on this evening. When the other kitten comes will the other maybe not be so scared? :confused: How do I calm them and get them to trust me!

    We have 5 cats that we took in. 1 of them is still scared of his shadow to this day. I don't think there is much you can do.

    When you get the cat out of the garage. Try to be around him as much as possible, always talk to him,slow blink at him, try to handle him a bit and gradually just build it up so you can actually hold him. Run them down and then feed him or after a while pick him up for a half a minute or so and then feed him. Build him a nice little shelter that he can hide in and irrevocablewhen he goes in leave him. Then he will feel safe there and not bolt to the garage.

    One of our cats was like that for a while but unlike the other one Rocco who is a scardy cat, Blackie is actually the most affectionate cat but can still be scared with strangers.


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    #3
    boomerang
    Registered Users Posts: 3,189 ✭✭✭boomerang


    They sound like they might be feral - ie have not been socialised with people up to now. It will take a long time but they will come around. My friend fostered two 12 week old feral kittens and while it did take about six months, they now adore her. Patience is key! There is a lot of info out there on taming feral kittens if you google it. :)


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    #4
    planetX
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,441 ✭✭✭planetX


    Hi, hopefully you have the sibling now - that should help a lot. If you haven't got the first kitten out of the garage, use the second to lure him in. A cage isn't the best place for settling kittens, if you have a small room they can't escape from - like a utility room is ideal. Put the litter tray, bedding and food in there. It's normal for any kitten in a new home to be terrified and hide. Just go in and sit with them for a while, let them come to you. Gradually leave the door open to the kitchen and they'll come out and explore.


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    #5
    anniehoo
    Registered Users Posts: 6,596 ✭✭✭anniehoo


    boomerang wrote: »
    Patience is key!.
    +1 cant emphasise this more. You cannot rush cats at all. At 12 weeks they're fairly streetwise already,but luckily still young enough that with time and effort on your behalf should become well socialised and friendly adult cats.

    They need regular contact from yourself. This doesnt mean constant attempts at trying to handle them though. They need to learn new sounds,sights and smells first and to understand that you're not a threat.By going into the shed/garage a good few times a day, whether it just be sitting on the ground and chatting away or putting food down for them and being confident in yourself they will come around.

    For this week at least just do that. Then slowly start using play toys (ensuring they can get back to a "safe zone" if needs be) and work up. It WILL require incredible patience and persistance on your behalf but its well worth it..trust me.

    You need to think about worming at least to start off (crush it in their food), then vaccinating and by week 4 if they're anyway more confident, neutering is your next step. Good luck!


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    #6
    sparkle_23
    Registered Users Posts: 654 ✭✭✭sparkle_23


    Both of them have decided to take up residence in an old wooden press out in the garage! :) The newer sibling is less shy and less aggressive :D today I brought out some little pieces of food and both of them climbed out and took it from my hand and when they went back in to the press with it they were purring! :D My dog (a springer spaniel!) is very interested in them, he loves cats! I've kept them seperated as the kitties were scared but today he was sniffing them and there was no hissing... so after a few days it's a great improvement! :cool:


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