The pedigree of a pet is not important for everyone. Many are ready to adopt a wild kitten - and even an adult street cat or tomcat - but do not know how to tame them, because homeless animals are very careful about handling and affection. The most typical reaction is fear or aggression. They are explained by a lack of experience interacting with people or negative memories (loss of owner, cruel treatment).
Despite the possible problems, it is quite possible to catch and re-educate a timid “mustache” from the street using a number of tricks. Support at the stage of adaptation to new conditions is also important.
The beginning of the problem
Some people think it's normal to keep a pet and then throw it out into the street. Due to neglect of animal sterilization, the streets are filled with puppies and kittens.
The fate of such animals is unenviable: most of them will not live to see a year. Often a person accidentally notices that a wild kitten has taken up residence in the yard of a house. How to train him to live in an apartment? Will he be affectionate and obedient? A caring person asks himself these questions and decides to take the foundling into the house.
What to do after catching a cat
Felines can be carriers of diseases, most of which have no obvious symptoms. To avoid possible unpleasant consequences, show the cat to a specialist before transporting it home. If you have to take it to the veterinary clinic by car, then place a trap with the animal on the seat, covering it with a towel or blanket. Upon arrival, remove it from the trap (portable container) safely .
Having received a bite from a wild cat, immediately consult a doctor so that the four-legged client is examined in a timely manner, the necessary tests are done, and a conclusion is given about the absence (presence) of infection and its safety for people and animals with whom it will come into contact.
If the cat stays in the apartment before visiting the veterinary clinic, quarantine is required. Place the cat in a separate room, isolating it from people.
Before bringing a stray cat home, check its health by contacting a veterinarian
First steps
Experienced animal lovers are sure that raising a kitten from the street is difficult, but possible. The main thing is to follow simple rules. It is important to understand that changing behavior takes a lot of time. Therefore, you need to be patient. Before you think about how to tame a wild kitten from the street, figure out whether you need it. The difference between pets is that they are people-oriented. Cubs, seeing a person from birth, feeling his smell, get used to trusting and reacting positively to the one who caresses and feeds them. Street animals, without an owner, gradually forget about trust and love for people, and therefore begin to react aggressively. Therefore, when seeing stray animals on the street, the first thing a person asks himself is: is it possible to tame a wild kitten at home, will it not spoil furniture and shit?
Catch a pet
Animal defenders often face the problem of catching animals. Since cats are afraid of people, it becomes difficult to catch them. At the sight of a person, the flock scatters. To catch kittens, you can use a baby blanket (or a piece of thick fabric) or a fish net.
It is important to quickly cover the kitten and take it to the apartment. Prepare him a box or a house - any shelter. It is better to place the toilet for a wild cat in a visible place. To begin with, use a very ordinary tray so that the animal can sniff it without hindrance. If possible, give your pet a separate room or lock him in the bathroom, this will help him feel more secure.
Taming methods
Time and hunger are the most faithful helpers on the path to taming a wild cat. First, the animal must be isolated by placing it in a cage or carrier. It is better to place the cage in a separate room or cover it with a rag, creating the illusion of loneliness for the animal and depriving it of all kinds of entertainment, even the opportunity to observe the situation. There should be no food or toys in the cage, only a bowl of water and a tray.
After your pet has been sitting in the cage for several hours, you need to go up and hand him a piece of tasty food in your palm. This could be some soft food or a small piece of chicken. If the kitten hisses, tries to hit with its paw, backs away, immediately remove your hand and walk away. Try again after a couple of hours. If the result is the same, leave the animal for a few more hours. Sooner or later, hunger will force the cat to come up and take the treat from your hand. Once this has happened, you can consider that half the job is done.
Now the main thing is patience and systematicity. It is necessary to approach the kitten more and more often with small pieces of food, each time giving it food from your hands. If he refuses, immediately leave, taking the treat with him. This way your pet will quickly get used to eating from your hands.
At the same time, you need to start raising your pet. With the cage door slightly open, place your hand close to him (without touching him). Ignore the hissing, but if he tries to attack, then lightly fight back. When the kitten stops objecting and calmly accepts the owner’s hand in close proximity to itself, reward it with a treat.
Frightening look
When the baby is already eating from his hands, it's time for the next step. Holding the food in your palm, you should try to pet the kitten before giving it the food. To his objections, the owner’s reaction is the same - to leave and take away the delicacy. After several approaches, the animal will understand that stroking is pleasant, safe and will accept it with pleasure.
A little about cat features
So, there is a wild kitten in front of you on the street. How to tame an animal and determine whether it was always wild, or whether it was recently thrown out into the street? It's not that hard to do. If you see a kitten or an adult on the street, take a close look at it. As a rule, those who have recently been thrown out cling to people, meow at the sight of them and try to follow the person, their fur is relatively clean. Feral cats and kittens hiss, arch their backs and run away from people. Therefore, if you have the second option, get ready to spend a lot of time adapting the animal. Some things sometimes cannot be fixed. For example, a cat may always be afraid of strangers.
How to keep a feral cat at home?
It is better to place the cat in a small room. It is advisable for the animal to stay there until it gets completely used to it. The room should not be a walk-through area, so that there is no noise and many people around.
You should definitely put a box with a hole in the room so that the cat can hide there if necessary. There should also be bowls for food and water, and a litter tray. The first days it is best to fill it with earth. Leave your cat a few small toys. All items must be removed from the shelves and window sill in the room. The light should be dim, a night light is best. This way the animal adapts faster.
Be sure to watch the door. It must be closed so that the cat does not run away. The new tenant should get used to the smell of the owner. To do this, you can lay out some of your things in the room. It could be T-shirts, socks.
The carrier should also be nearby. You should definitely put a small blanket and some treats in it and leave it open so that the cat can get inside.
Important Procedures
When a street kitten or cat is caught and brought into the house, a number of procedures must be followed. First, let him sit in a dark corner for a while. Then take the kitten out and examine it. Discharge from the eyes and nose, rash, and areas without fur indicate an infection in the animal’s body, so it should be shown to a veterinarian. If nothing is found at first glance, wash the kitten. This must be done because of parasites. For example, fleas. Fill a bowl with warm water and immerse the kitten in it. It is best to use a special anti-parasite shampoo. The animal, despite its tiny size, can desperately resist: bite, scratch and break free. Try to finish your ablution in any case.
When a wild kitten appears in the house, how to tame it to people is not the most important problem. As a treatment for parasites, you need to give him an anti-worm tablet. It is unlikely that your pet will take well to attempts to push medicine into him. Wrap the kitten in a sheet or any thick fabric, forcefully open its mouth and place the tablet on the root of the tongue, then press it with your hand. The animal will be forced to swallow the medicine.
Spray bait
Sometimes a cat must be accustomed to being handled using a special bait spray, which is sold in a pharmacy and usually contains catnip extract; this is necessary in cases where the kitten has been running wild for a long time and categorically refuses to make contact. Most often, this phenomenon is observed if the animal has suffered from people and because of this cannot help but fear even its owner, who loves it and has created comfortable living conditions for it. Also, basement kittens, which have largely returned to the behavior of their wild ancestors, are often distinguished by distrust.
The spray should be applied not to clothes, but to the palms of the hands, so that the kitten gets used to the person, and not to the thing. The smell of the product acts on the animal like a drug, and therefore the pet will, despite its fear, still run to the owner and rub against the hands. Gradually, the kitten will understand that there is nothing dangerous or unpleasant when communicating with a person. As a result of this, in the future, even without a spray, the pet will be willing to be handled.
When using a spray, it is important not to exceed the norm so that the baby does not become accustomed to it and begins to suffer from the lack of the drug. Because of this, you cannot use the product more often than once a day. This remedy should be used more often if you had to take an adult cat into your home.
If you have a wild kitten, how to tame it?
Feral kittens are initially afraid of people and tend to hide in a dark corner. Don't interfere with this. The pet may crawl into a box, under the bathroom, under a closet, or into the kitchen counter. Try not to touch him or disturb him again. When the baby gets used to it a little and calms down, start taming it.
Place a bowl of food near the place where the animal has settled. To start, use soft cat food or a small amount of fresh meat. Sooner or later, aromatic food will attract a hungry animal, and it will come out of its shelter. At this stage, it is important to make a positive impression on the kitten. This way he will understand that the person is bringing food.
Gradually move the bowl towards the center of the room. This way you will force the animal to go further and further. Don't force things, give your pet time to get used to it. Don't force him to eat. He will come out on his own during times of severe famine. Don't know how to tame a wild kitten? Use meat pieces or special food. When the frightened animal leaves its shelter, show it a treat at arm's length. Driven by the desire to eat, he will carefully crawl up and take the food.
You can try to pet the savage. Do not make sudden movements, do not swing at the kitten, carefully extend your hand and lower it onto the back or face of the animal. Don’t rush things; if the animal is afraid, it’s better not to touch it. Speak in a quiet and calm voice at this moment, as loud sounds will frighten the baby.
If you don't know how to train a kitten to be handled, ask experienced people for advice or rely on your intuition. Any phenologist will tell you that affection and a patient approach can correct any animal. Therefore, try to pick up a wild kitten in your arms more often, stroke it and talk to it quietly and affectionately. Over time, he will get used to the warmth of your hands and begin to caress you in return.
Is it possible to tame an adult cat to a new owner?
A cat tolerates a change of owner more easily than a dog. The exception is socially oriented breeds, for example, Oriental Siamese. They will gradually become affectionate with their new owners, but the first one is the only one for life.
The best way to train, even for a sexually mature individual, is not food, but play. First, an adult cat must get used to the territory. It is better to leave your pet to explore its new home on its own, and after a while offer some food from your hands. Just like a treat. At the same time, do not forget to talk measuredly, but not to stroke.
As soon as the cat gets used to it a little, you can:
- lightly scratch a chair or furniture - so that the cat reacts to the sound near the owner;
- roll a ball or ball of wool near you, inviting you to play;
- “drive” a candy wrapper.
The cat quickly joins the game. After a while, you should again give a piece of food from your hand and praise it.
How long will it take?
With the appearance of a pet, a person has many questions: how to train a kitten, how long will it take, will he go to the litter box? The most important of them is adaptation time. Even experienced animal psychologists (animal behavior specialists) cannot guarantee any clear framework. The addiction process can take several days or several months. It is important not to rush things and be patient. In general, it is believed that if the pet is about two months old, it will take a week to tame. The situation is more complicated with adult cats. Here it can take months to adapt, since it is difficult to introduce something new into the animal’s existing behavior.
How to catch a thief cat?
Otherwise, you would have to spend a long time and methodically interviewing people, posting advertisements... And, by the way, about advertisements: it’s good if your cat has special features, at least one that can be indicated. Otherwise, all searches may be fruitless: for most people, all cats within the same breed and color look the same.
Take a string with a bow and carry it in her field of vision, as if not with her. At some point, the cat itself will enter the game. At first she will rush and run away, and then she will get involved and play like her own. We took our cat to the dacha for the first time, and she was blown away there. Last summer, my husband caught an absolutely wild street cat with a large fishing net on a stick (the net is made of fine mesh).
How to train a wild kitten to the litter box without much effort
Almost all cat owners are afraid that their pet will start going to the toilet past the litter box. Or even worse - into shoes or things. Due to the peculiarities of feline physiology, all that remains after “use” is to throw it away, since the clothes are saturated with a specific smell that cannot be destroyed in any way. Choosing a tray for a cat is not so easy, since pet stores offer a wide range of products. To begin with, it is better to choose a regular rectangular tray with a lattice insert. This is especially important for a wild kitten: closed trays or containers with a high side can scare him away.
Are you solving the problem of how to toilet train a feral kitten? Patience and more patience will help with this. At first, your pet may leave puddles and piles everywhere. Under no circumstances should you poke him with your face or hit him for this. Severely reprimand the baby and take him to the tray. Having planted it in the right place, explain what needs to be done in it. A little trick: blot the urine on the floor with a newspaper and put it in the tray. The kitten will come to the smell of its discharge and do its business where necessary.
Why shouldn't you use physical punishment? This will only cause fear in the kitten; he will become aggressive towards the owner and begin to mark shoes and things out of revenge. Therefore, before taming a wild kitten to go to the litter box, learn the carrot and stick method. As soon as your pet makes a puddle, sternly reprimand him and take him to the litter box. It has been scientifically proven that animals clearly distinguish between intonations. Therefore, a dissatisfied voice will affect them, and they will understand it as “you can’t do that.” When the kitten goes into the tray, pet it and gently praise it, treat it with meat or a piece of tasty food.
Why is the cat not affectionate?
If a cat scratches and bites as an adult, the owners themselves are to blame. While still playing with her, they allowed her to “claw” in excitement. At first it's funny, then the adult:
- bites legs;
- does not allow himself to be combed;
- spoils things, marks territory.
The simplest veterinary examination and medical procedures (injections, enemas) turn into a nightmare for the owner.
The independence and aggressiveness of a mustachioed cohabitant should not be shown towards family members. If the owners are afraid, the pet will become impudent. It is recommended to hold the cat in your arms more often and show affection. After taming, release it for further exploration of the area, praise and treat it with something tasty for good behavior.
Gradually the cat will understand: nothing bad is happening. If you do this regularly, at the same time talk affectionately, give a piece of “yummy” - after a while you can add short-term combing, examining the ears and other manipulations.
An irrepressible desire to “cuddle” can also be the reason why a cat becomes less affectionate. Small children will happily play with the kitty and pull its ear or tail.
Adults sometimes don’t lag behind (especially if the cat is not their property): they shamelessly shove pieces from the table, try to stroke them and pick them up against their will. It's not the cat that needs to be blamed, but the owner:
- If the cat is not the highlight of the program, it is better to isolate it in another room. Or warn the guest about correct behavior.
- For children, it is better to find other fun, otherwise the simplest scratch on the hand of an uncontrollable child will ruin the evening.
- When neither the person nor the cat is particularly anxious, let them interact as they wish.
Advice. It is advisable to wash your hands not only after interacting with an animal, but also before. Precautionary measures apply to small unvaccinated kittens.
The selection of some breeds followed the path of consolidating external characteristics. Such cats are more attached to the territory than to the owner. For example, bobtails and Norwegian forest cats do not recognize excessive affection.
It is better to choose a Burmese, Siamese, Sphynx or Rex or an ordinary yard cat - a “mongrel”. “Human-dependent” cats can hardly tolerate loneliness, they are easy to tame and they love the affection of their owner.
A few rules of communication
There is no single answer to the question of how to tame a wild kitten at home. For each animal you need to come up with and try different approaches. There are several general recommendations for adaptation of wild animals. Remember that the normal instinct of an outdoor cat is to be afraid and bite as a defense. Therefore, in the first days, do not try to forcefully pet the kitten. Give him time to adapt. Try to talk kindly and gently with your pet - this will be enough for the first time. Get ready for the fact that the solution to the question of how to train a cat to use a litter box may take a long time. This also applies to learning to use a scratching post, feeding from a bowl, and much more. Act gradually, be patient, and eventually you will achieve your goal!
Consider the peculiarity of feline psychology: a closed door can be perceived by them as a threat and a trap. Therefore, try not to keep the kitten in a confined space without special reasons (only if you are going somewhere or you need to keep it locked up for the animal’s adaptation). Allow the kitten to walk everywhere and explore everything around. This way he will get used to it faster and understand that nothing and no one threatens him. Remember that cats attack people and behave aggressively only when they want to protect themselves. Therefore, try not to react negatively to the kitten or any of its actions. Discuss all misdeeds in a stern, authoritative voice.
How to protect yourself
Friends, I want to remind you that cats are descendants of wild animals and are guided by instincts. Sometimes even pets we know well behave unpredictably. If you see that the cat is aggressive and is not in the mood to get closer, do not provoke it! Leave the animal in the room and wait out this moment. You might find my article on how to calm a cat useful.
To protect yourself from scratches and wounds, wear thick clothing with long sleeves. If you go to tame a street dweller, it doesn’t hurt to wear gloves and take with you regular cardboard, which you can use to scare away the cat (with noise and sudden movement) if something goes wrong. Stay away from wild animals. If they need help, call animal control or contact volunteers.
After contact with street cats, disinfect your hands.
Pet socialization
How to tame a cat to your presence and how to socialize it? It all depends on the age of the pet. If the kitten behaves completely wildly (hides in a corner, meows and hisses loudly), it would be advisable to put it in a cage. Always try to speak kindly to him and feed him tasty pieces of food. Your first priority is to let him get used to the person. As soon as you see that the animal has begun to react neutrally to you, release it from the cage and give it the opportunity to walk around the apartment. It is important to create a secluded corner in the room. You can buy a special house at the pet store or put a box or carrier. In short, any object where the kitten can hide will do. Fence off any dangerous places: cracks, windows, doorways. Due to its irrationality, the kitten may try to escape. Therefore, do not leave windows and doors open to the street in his presence.
Gradually accustom the cat to your presence. This is best done using treats. Every time you enter a room, bring with you pieces of something tasty. Call your pet by name, talk to him affectionately, and give him treats. In the first days, simply throw a piece to the kitten’s paws, later make sure that he takes it from your hands. It is useful to sit on the floor, this way you become the same size as the cat, and he perceives you as a friend.
Raising a street or feral kitten
It is necessary to determine what kind of kitten is in front of the person - one that was recently thrown out of the house or a feral one, born on the street by the same cat. In the first case, the educational process, as a rule, is relatively easy: the baby has not yet gotten used to people, but is experiencing severe stress. In the second case, he initially had contact only with animals, so he may never fully get used to a person, maintaining distrust of him for the rest of his life. What should you do if a kitten appears in the house?
Some errors
Sometimes novice pet owners make mistakes in taming a pet, and this leads to sad consequences. For example, if you look directly into a cat's eyes, she will perceive this as a challenge and a threat, so she will show aggression as a response. The domestication of an animal must be regular. Since cats have episodic memory, they need training sessions daily. Prepare for the fact that it will take about three weeks for the first progress.
Continue socialization
Since all pets live by instinct, this can be used for manipulation purposes. For example, how to tame a cat if he categorically refuses to make contact? Blackmail him with hunger. To do this, give him the opportunity to eat only in your presence. Bring a bowl of food, place it next to you and wait. Sooner or later, the feeling of hunger will force him to approach. As soon as he finishes, take the bowl of food. The kitten should have 24/7 access to clean water.
Another trick for luring a kitten out of shelter is to spread sour cream or yogurt on the tip of your finger. Attracted by the smell of the treat, the animal will come out of its “hole”. After some time, the pet will begin to calmly respond to you and take the treat from your hands. At this stage, you can try to gently pick him up. This doesn’t require anything complicated: as soon as the kitten approaches you, pat him on the head and gently grab him in the chest area, lifting him to the level of your face. Be careful: if the animal breaks out, resists and swears, it is better to let it go. Try again in a few days. If the kitten responds favorably to being held, pet him and give him a treat.
An important part of the socialization of any animal is joint games. Pet stores provide a large selection of different toys for cats. You can start by buying a regular fishing rod with a mouse on the end. Kittens usually like to catch the toy and bite it. It is important that the animal associates play with pleasant emotions, so do not scold or scold the kitten at this time. To tame it by hand, you can use a little trick: when playing with a fishing rod, try to throw the “bait” onto your lap. This way the kitten will get used to jumping on you.
Unfortunately, some behavior problems may not go away over time. For example, a cat can avoid strangers all its life, and nothing can be done about it. All that remains is to accept the pet as it is. It has been scientifically proven that sterilization makes cats more good-natured and reduces the level of aggression. Such operations also protect against a number of diseases.
Take the kitten in your arms at least once a day, call him by name and caress him - this way you will tame him faster. Over time, you can introduce him to more people so that he gets used to them. Ask friends to gently pet your pet and give him treats. Try to avoid loud sounds, music, and bright lights in the presence of a wild kitten. If there is clearly aggressive behavior, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian about the possibility of using sedatives. They will help relieve anxiety in the animal and calm it down.
If you have a wild kitten at home, advice from other owners of furry pets will tell you how to tame it. Be patient and do not demand an immediate change in the animal's behavior. Also be prepared to sacrifice furniture or some of your belongings, as the kitten may damage them during the adaptation process.
What should you not do when trying to domesticate a street animal?
In order for the process of cat socialization to go as quickly and successfully as possible, you cannot:
- look your pet in the eye, because direct gaze is perceived by him as a threat;
- touching him and picking him up against his will - you need to wait until the moment when he completely trusts the owner and jumps onto his lap;
- hold the animal in your arms if it begins to get nervous and struggle;
- placate your pet with food - overfeeding will not endear him to the person, but will only provoke obesity;
- scream at the cat and even more so beat him.
It is necessary to praise and gently stroke if the kitten shows affection towards the person - plays with him, caresses him, tries to sit more comfortably at his feet and purrs, etc.
You should be patient and cultivate your pet's trust in family members day after day.
