How To Socialize Feral Kittens

Several organizations recommend not to take a cat from the wildness if they are all grown up already.

How to socialize feral kittens. The best time to properly socialize a kitten is 3 weeks of age to 9 to 12 weeks of age. However if they are caught and handled at a young enough age feral kittens can be socialized and placed in loving homes. Feral kittens that are between 4 to 10 weeks old are especially suitable to socialize. Talk to the kitten as you hold it so the kitten feels safe with you.

However there is a gray area in which the personality of the individual cat comes into play. There are a few steps to helping a kitten become socialized and they are as follows. Once the kitten is comfortable with having you touch it set the kitten on a towel and wrap it around the kitten s body. Between 4 and 8 months of age if there is time and capacity and if the kitten is showing meaningful signs of social behavior the decision may be made to place the kitten in a foster home for.

Begin to hold and pet kittens at about 3 to 4 weeks of age. Even if your intentions are the best you can harm the cat. Kittens older than two months eight weeks of age often take more time and skill to socialize. To become pets feral kittens need to be socialized or taught to be comfortable around people.

The primary and most important age for socializing a kitten is between three to nine weeks of age says miranda workman a clinical assistant professor in the animal behavior ecology and conservation department at canisius college in buffalo new york. Pick up the kitten and bring it to your chest. Socializing feral kittens kittens that are not exposed to humans early in their lives learn from their mothers and quickly become feral according to the feline fix. Community kittens can be socialized fairly easily if they re handled at an early age 8 weeks or under.

The socialization of feral kittens requires a daily commitment of time the duration of which depends on the age of the kittens and the amount and consistency of the time you spend working with them. Containment within a cage or carrier handling with a towel containment in a room to work on socializing. Hold the kitten securely to your chest for at least 15 minutes a day.