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Avalux

(35,015 posts) Sun May 25, 2014, 04:41 PM May 2014

Feral cat experts - I need your advice. [View all]

I've taken in 6 week old feral kitten. The neighbors and I trapped the mother and 5 kittens; I offered to take the little grey tabby female, whom I've named Delilah. I kept her in the bathroom for the first couple of days in a pet carrier; she allowed me to hold her even though she hissed like crazy. I could see the fear in her eyes and she trembled. Poor little thing.

5 days later and she's not so scared now. I moved her to a room upstairs so she has more space and can start to get accustomed to her surroundings. No problem using the litter box. She is the cutest little thing ever, but still hisses at me when I come near although doesn't try to bite or scratch. She sits in my lap while I pet her, but I can tell she's wanting to run away. When I stop petting off she goes, behind the table.

What I'm wanting to know - will I be able to domesticate Delilah? Should I keep doing what I'm doing, and is there anything else I can do to help her?

38 replies

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Feral cat experts - I need your advice. [View all] Avalux May 2014 OP

just give her time and space fizzgig May 2014 #1

I'll post a pic soon! Avalux May 2014 #2

we took in a half feral, badly abused tom when i was a teen fizzgig May 2014 #3

I believe that it can. Avalux May 2014 #4

play is a great way to bond fizzgig May 2014 #5

I've got a feral momma outside, still. I feed her and she lets me pet her while she's eating. .. Demoiselle May 2014 #6

Delilah's momma was so wild! Avalux May 2014 #14

Thank you. narnian60 May 2014 #27

I never had a cat, but then took in a 6 week old feral kitten which I think was the runt of the Fla Dem May 2014 #28

yes, she will tame down sammytko May 2014 #7

How do you tame down the mama? Avalux May 2014 #15

There is only so much taming you can do with an adult feral, unfortunately LadyHawkAZ May 2014 #38

Keep talking to her and loving on her LaurenG May 2014 #8

I bought her some toys and read to her today. Avalux May 2014 #16

6 weeks? yes, you'll be able to domesticate Skittles May 2014 #9

I can hear her playing around, when I go in the room she hides. Avalux May 2014 #17

I trapped an injured feral at age 7 months Skittles May 2014 #20

That's a wonderful story... Avalux May 2014 #23

aw that's an even better story Skittles May 2014 #24

You've trained him well!! Avalux May 2014 #26

I love him! TuxedoKat May 2014 #29

he was very hard to catch (hence the feral trap) Skittles May 2014 #30

I've trapped and rescued a few cats myself TuxedoKat May 2014 #35

keep doing what you're doing and LiberalElite May 2014 #10

It took several months? Avalux May 2014 #18

Yup - LiberalElite May 2014 #32

It sounds like you need to just keep doing what you're doing. Arkansas Granny May 2014 #11

Awwww....that's what I hope she will do. Avalux May 2014 #19

She'll be fine. Slow and steady and you'll have a furry bundle of purr in your lap in no time. Flaxbee May 2014 #12

I put a worn t-shirt in the carrier with her blanket. Avalux May 2014 #21

I think it is about 5-6 months, definately well before a year. You do not want her to go into heat! bettyellen May 2014 #31

Sounds like you are making good progress and the kitten needs some more time. LisaL May 2014 #13

Yes, that's what it sounds like! Avalux May 2014 #22

We once adopted a feral kitten. LisaL May 2014 #25

We adopted a "teen age"-sized cat who'd been a stray . . . snot May 2014 #33

WE HAVE TAKEN IN 3 FERAL KITTENS. Inky, Sadie & Sally trueblue2007 May 2014 #34

We did puppies - orphaned, abandoned, abused and neglected. IdaBriggs May 2014 #36

Yes, generally a kitten that young can be socialized. hamsterjill May 2014 #37