How To Socialize Older Feral Kittens
Pick up the kitten and bring it to your chest.
How to socialize older feral kittens. Congratulations on deciding to foster and socialize kittens. 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. Containment within a cage or carrier handling with a towel containment in a room to work on socializing. The kitten will be more trusting and easier to socialize.
The more you hold the young kitten the better. They estimate that kittens under 4 weeks old take a matter of hours or days to socialize older kittens take longer naturally and kittens who are 10 weeks or older can also be tamed but it may take much longer and many times they will only tame to the person working with them and remain wild with strangers. Feral kittens that are between 4 to 10 weeks old are especially suitable to socialize. To become pets feral kittens need to be socialized or taught to be comfortable around people.
Spending time with these fuzzy little guys though a lot of work will also be a lot of fun. Even if your intentions are the best you can harm the cat. Talk to the kitten as you hold it so the kitten feels safe with you. If the kitten isn t making progress by then it s best to spay neuter eartip vaccinate and return the kitten to his or her colony before it becomes unfamiliar territory.
If the kittens are eight weeks or younger usually just about anyone can socialize them by following some simple steps. Kittens older than two months eight weeks of age often take more time and skill to socialize. Several organizations recommend not to take a cat from the wildness if they are all grown up already.