Wild, or feral, kittens can grow up to be tame cats and wonderful pets. Ideally, they should be taken in as soon as they are weaned and can eat solid food. In doing so, you are preventing feral kittens from producing litters themselves and offering them a longer, better life.
How to Tame a Feral Kitten Over 2 Months Old
Step 1
Obviously, the first thing you need to do is capture the kitten. The best way to do this is to set out canned food as bait. While the kitten is focused on eating, quickly throw a towel over him and wrap him up in it to prevent him from scratching you. If this fails, you can use a live animal trap. It won't harm the kitty, it will simply enclose him. Traps can typically be found at farm supply stores. Use canned food in it, too, and place it all the way inside to maximize the chance of capturing the kitten. When he triggers the mechanism, the trap will close.
Step 2
Once you have him, he needs to be confined to one room. Being indoors is a new experience for a feral kitten. He needs to get comfortable in one room before being introduced to the entire house. Otherwise, he'll find it overwhelming. Put his dry kitten food and water somewhat near his litter box, but not close enough to get litter in it. Set him down in his litter box so he will know exactly where it is. Leave toys out for him.
Step 3
Spend as much time as possible in the same room with the kitten, even if it's just sitting quietly. This will allow the kitten to get used to your presence and familiar with your scent. He will probably hide behind and under furniture the first few days or possibly even weeks. Allow him to do so, and play with him when he is comfortable enough to come out.
Tips
- The person who cares for a feral kitten will be the ones he bonds with, even if he has not yet allowed anyone to touch him. If you want it to be you, take sole responsibility for giving him food, water and litter. Once he figures out that you're his food source, you will have a friend for life.
Warnings
- Expect the kitten to hiss and spit at you at first, possibly for up to two weeks. This is normal, instinctive behavior that will cease once he realizes you're not a threat and will not harm him.
- Do not attempt to pet the kitten until he comes to you. Do not pick him up unless absolutely necessary. Doing so will only frighten him if he isn't yet comfortable with you. Let him come to you.
Writer Bio
Leslie Carver has been a professional author since 2009. Her work appears on multiple websites. She has an associate's degree in English with progress toward her bachelor's at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She has been awarded an Outstanding Student Award in English and twice nominated for creative writing awards.