How old do feral kittens have to be to socialize?

Asked By: Clementine Mark

Date created: Mon, Aug 22, 2022 7:28 AM

Date updated: Fri, May 10, 2024 1:20 AM

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Video answer: How to socialize feral kittens

Best answer to the question «How old do feral kittens have to be to socialize?»

Answered by Abdul Timm on Mon, Aug 22, 2022 14:19 PM

Alley Cat Allies does not, in general, recommend trying to socialize a feral kitten over 4 months of age. Socializing is time consuming, especially for older kittens, and results are not guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Those who are looking for an answer to the question «How old do feral kittens have to be to socialize?» often ask the following questions:

😻 Should you get a feral cat as a pet?

If you want a kitten as a pet, provided you do it within the small window of time, you’ll actually not only prolong the life of the cat but it will actually help with improving the overall happiness of the cat. Now taming and socializing a feral cat isn’t always the simplest thing.

😻 Are feral kittens socialized?

They’re actually a bit different. This post will discuss feral kitten behavior, and what it means for someone who discovers that they have feral kittens living nearby. The first thing that you will notice, is just like a feral cat, these little guys are not socialized to humans themselves.

😻 When to get a feral kitten from a feral mother?

When looking for the feral kittens, make sure to get them within the quiet, unseen spots, since that’s where the mom keeps them. You should wait for them at about 4-6 weeks since they can be taken by the mom at that point. Now at this point, if you do capture them, they tend to need to be neutered immediately.

Video answer: Helping a Feral Kitten Become Friendly (Step by Step How-To!)

We've handpicked 22 related questions for you, similar to «How old do feral kittens have to be to socialize?» so you can surely find the answer!

Can you socialize feral kittens?

However, you can socialize feral kittens if you work with them before they hit 4 months of age. These kittens will be unsocialized at first but, with enough time and handling (if you have the resources to do so), they can become socialized cats who can live indoors and be adopted.

How do feral cats socialize with humans?

Feral cats have either been separated from humans for so long that they have lost their ability to socialize with people, or they have never been exposed to humans. Feral cats are fearful of people and respond more like a wild animal than a domesticated one to human advances. Feral cats frequently live in large groups and socialize with each other.

How old do kittens have to be to be socialized?

See Caring for Kittens 5 to 7 Weeks Old for information on socializing. Kittens who are over 10 weeks old and never been socialized with humans can be worked with but with no guarantee that they will ever be cuddly, affectionate pets. If the kittens are to remain outdoors, they should be treated as feral cats ( See Caring for Feral Cats ).

When is cat old enough to have kittens?

- What Is a Feral Cat? - When Do Feral Cats Abandon Their Kittens? - Where Do Feral Cats Have Their Kittens? - How Do Feral Cats Care for Their Kittens? - Do Male Feral Cats Stay With Their Kittens? - Can You Adopt Feral Cats and Kittens? - What To Do if You Find Feral Kittens - Summary - Sources

Video answer: How to Socialize Hissy Feral Kittens

How long does it take for a kitten to socialize?

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.”

How old do kittens have to be to take away?

However, kittens born to feral mothers should be taken away, if possible, at about four weeks old. At this age, it is easy to tame them and they have gotten a full four weeks’ worth of the precious antibodies mother’s milk provides.

Can you take a feral cat to the vet?

Feral cats, especially those more than eight weeks old, are very skittish. Many experts agree that feral adult cats cannot be tamed and are difficult to socialize when adopted. Thus, to avoid negative incidences, it is best to approach only strays. Can I Take A Stray Cat To The Vet?

How old do kittens have to be to adopt them?

If the kitten is younger than ten weeks of age, you can still make up for poor socialization. Even feral kittens can be turned into people-friendly cats and be adopted if they’re caught and handled before they’re ten weeks old.

How do feral cats behave with humans?

Feral cats are also not stray cats. Stray cats are familiar with humans, and while they may be skittish of humans, they will interact and socialize with us–given a little time and patience. Feral cats avoid direct human contact at virtually all cost. Now, how do cats behave together? Almost all feline species live (mostly) solitary lives.

What to do if you find a stray mother cat with kittens?

If you found a friendly stray mom cat with kittens, it’s critical that the kittens be socialized properly. Feral kittens (born outside without human contact) who are over 6 weeks of age are hard to fully socialize, although it’s easier if their mom cat is friendly and trusts people.

Video answer: How To Tame & Socialize Feral Kittens (10 TIPS)

Is it possible to socialize a feral cat?

Alley Cat Allies does not, in general, recommend trying to socialize a feral cat over 4 months of age. However, there is a gray area in which the personality of the individual cat comes into play.

When should kittens stop nursing?

- What Is a Feral Cat? - When Do Feral Cats Abandon Their Kittens? - Where Do Feral Cats Have Their Kittens? - How Do Feral Cats Care for Their Kittens? - Do Male Feral Cats Stay With Their Kittens? - Can You Adopt Feral Cats and Kittens? - What To Do if You Find Feral Kittens - Summary - Sources

How old do kittens have to be to be a pet?

Caring for Kittens 9 Weeks and Older If the kitten is 9 or 10 weeks old and has not been in contact with humans it is sometimes possible to socialize the kitten to become a good pet. This takes a lot more handling and time and the kitten may or may not always be a little shy toward members outside the family.

How long before kittens wean?

- What Is a Feral Cat? - When Do Feral Cats Abandon Their Kittens? - Where Do Feral Cats Have Their Kittens? - How Do Feral Cats Care for Their Kittens? - Do Male Feral Cats Stay With Their Kittens? - Can You Adopt Feral Cats and Kittens? - What To Do if You Find Feral Kittens - Summary - Sources

What is the best age to socialize a kitten?

Socialize Cats While They’re Young The best time to socialize a cat is when they are still a kitten, between 2 and 14 weeks old. Kittens are more receptive to new experiences than older cats. They’re also less territorial which makes them more open to new people or pets in their space.

What should a 3 week old kitten look like?

When kittens are three weeks old, their ears are fully upright and they’ll have blue eyes until their adult color becomes apparent—which might not be until they’re two months old! They start to play more, and you can begin to socialize them through toys and games, so they’ll eventually be ready for adoption.

How old do female cats have to be to have kittens?

Unspayed female cats can begin reproducing at 6 months of age and can produce a litter during the same year of birth. 30% feral mortality

How old are feral kittens when you can catch them?

While there is not an exact age, most vets and experts agree that a feral cat is too old to catch after they turn 1 years old. After this period, experts say that the cat will no longer be able to be domesticated. The best way to catch feral kittens is either with a trap, or with blankets and towels.

Can You crate train a feral kitten at night?

In fact, some cat rescue programs crate train feral kittens to socialize them and make them calmer. If you wonder if you can put a kitten in a cage at night, it’s a great way to protect your belongings and train a new kitty.

What is the best age to take care of feral kittens?

With regards to taming feral kittens, it is best to do so when the kittens are between 5- and 16-weeks-old, but the earlier they’re socialized, the better. After that, it becomes quite a bit harder. Alley Cat Allies recommends not taming kittens over 16-weeks-old, except in special circumstances.

What age do kittens start to get playful?

When kittens are three weeks old, their ears are finally fully upright and their blue eyes are open (their adult eye color does not set in until they are older—and might not happen until they’re two months old!). While the kittens’ movements are still uncoordinated, they are playing more and you can begin to socialize them through toys and games.

What do they do with feral cats when they are found?

Some feral cats are taken in by animal rescue groups and given a second chance at life. These groups work to socialize the cats and find them loving homes. In some cases, feral cats can also be adopted by farmers or other rural property owners as working animals.

Video answer: How To Tame and Socialize Feral Kittens - Feral Cat Socialization - RM00100