How to tame a shy kitten?

[alkemyst]

Be careful feral cats, they don't understand sizes and essentially think they're little lions which can be dangerous.

I wouldn't 'play fight' with him at all. Only gentle nice playtime should be allowed.

At 8 weeks it's a bit early to have true feral traits.

OP, I use kit-and-kaboodle from the grocery store as a treat. Almost every cat seems to like it (I wouldn't recommend it as a full-time food though, but that's another story).

The more it learns that it is fed by you, the less it will fear you. We take in a lot of feral kittens that turn out to be real lap cats. The current batch of 3 we have greet us at the door. They are finally ready to be spayed as the smallest one just broke 2 lbs this past week.

You don't want to force 'hold' them, it will only get them more panicked around you.

 

[yhelothar]

Toys and treats. Get the laser or the feathers on a string/stick.

 

[Anonemous]

Toys and treats. Get the laser or the feathers on a string/stick.

stick + ribbon also works.

 

[SheHateMe]

Put it in Cat fights, then he'll see who's boss.



*Im just kiddng, just give it space but provide some type of recreation in the form of toys and try to play with it using a laser or something like that.

My cat was not feral when I got him but he played rough. I used to put two pairs of socks on my hands and pull them up my arm as far as they could go before I tried to "play" fight with him.

 

[lxskllr]

stick + ribbon also works.

If he really loved his kitten, he'd release live mice in the house to keep it happy.

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

Patience.

Treats can help.
Will fatten it up & make it ready for consumption.

 

[MrColin]

Should I just do this every day for an hour or so?

Yes, but don't chase it. Better to have multiple positive encounters (feedings) per day than one really long one. Use food to lure it and grab it. Pair the feeding with a vocal stimulus (ie "here kitty kitty" or my fave, "c'mere shithead"). Many small meals, and never for free until its acting like you want. (If you're out of the house for more than 8 hrs a day, a bigger meal before you go, the young ones need to eat more often than q8.)

IMPORTANT -> Put bitter spray on all of your electrical cords TO DETER CHEWING, kittens and puppies will bite them get shocked and develop pulmonary edema and die later in the day.

 

[jagec]

IMPORTANT -> Put bitter spray on all of your electrical cords, kittens and puppies will bite them get shocked and develop pulmonary edema and die later in the day.

Why would I WANT my kittens and puppies to develop pulmonary edema?

 

[MrColin]

If he really loved his kitten, he'd release live mice in the house to keep it happy.

I kept live mice for a carnivorous lizard I had years ago. A roomate's inconsiderate friend turned them loose in hopes my lizard would give him a show. I tried to gather them all back up but eventually needed help from the cat. It took her a couple of weeks to get them all. I don't reccomend this because they will leave you "presents" in the house.

 

[MrColin]

Why would I WANT my kittens and puppies to develop pulmonary edema?

Duh, they get it from the electricity, not the bitter spray (a deterrent).

 

[Red Squirrel]

If it's using the litter that's a good sign, it's mother is probably a domestic cat that ran away or something but it was litter box trained. So the kitten wont be super feral. You just have to give it time, leave it alone when it's hiding, let it come to you. Give it as much attention as you can without being invasive. Like when it does come see you pet it a lot and stuff.

 

[lxskllr]

If it's using the litter that's a good sign, it's mother is probably a domestic cat that ran away or something but it was litter box trained.

I've always been puzzled by the term "litter box trained". "Training" for me has never consisted of anything more than showing them the box exactly once, and they use it as intended ever after. They're hardwired to poop in sand. It's like "training" them on how to eat.