First time with a feral kitten, help!

[Diane20-24]

First, I am so glad to find this site! I was able to capture a feral kitten 10 days ago after trying for two weeks. We are now having freezing temps and Mom cat has not around. He is now about 10 weeks old and very scared and anxious, so much so he won't come out of his cave. He is healthy and was neutered the day I caught him. Because of freezing temperatures and his Mom not being with him, I am going to transition him to an indoor kitten.
I ordered a 4 tier cage, it was delayed, and gets here today, 10 days after keeping him in a bedroom isolated from all.

I am getting him used to a routine of me coming in twice a day to feed him, clean litter box, etc. If he happens to be out his his cave, he gets real small and won't move a muscle until I leave. He will eat if I am in the room, the bowl is right near him, and he can't see me.

My question for the group: should I place him in the cage when it gets here to contain his space and aid in the transition since he is so afraid? Or should I leave him in the room?
I want to do this right and know this will be a long slow process and he's worth it! Thank you!

 

[tabbytom]

First, I am so glad to find this site! I was able to capture a feral kitten 10 days ago after trying for two weeks. We are now having freezing temps and Mom cat has not around. He is now about 10 weeks old and very scared and anxious, so much so he won't come out of his cave. He is healthy and was neutered the day I caught him. Because of freezing temperatures and his Mom not being with him, I am going to transition him to an indoor kitten.
I ordered a 4 tier cage, it was delayed, and gets here today, 10 days after keeping him in a bedroom isolated from all.

I am getting him used to a routine of me coming in twice a day to feed him, clean litter box, etc. If he happens to be out his his cave, he gets real small and won't move a muscle until I leave. He will eat if I am in the room, the bowl is right near him, and he can't see me.

My question for the group: should I place him in the cage when it gets here to contain his space and aid in the transition since he is so afraid? Or should I leave him in the room?
I want to do this right and know this will be a long slow process and he's worth it! Thank you!

and welcome to TCS!

Thank you for taking this kitten in and for giving him a warm and fur-ever loving home and safe sanctuary to live out his life

I think for now, leave him in this safe room as he is since he's been in the room for the past days and probably getting use to it. You can when he cage arrives, leave it in the room and let him explore he cage and maybe it can be his little house in the room. In the meantime, get him a cardboard box so that he can retreat into it anytime he needs to.

It is normal for him to be anxious and cautious as the environment is totally new to him. He needs to be assured and feel that there is no threat.
Since you are the only one in contact with him, you can help him gain confidence by leaving your clean, unwashed non perfume garments with him since he's familiar with your scents.

Always approach him slowly and tay as low as you can to the ground to make yourself small so that you don't look threatening to him. Sit across the room and call out his name sweetly and before giving him his food, talk to him and tell him that you are bringing him his food. Don't just place place the food and leave. Let him associate you with food. Give him time to adjust. Visit him often and before you enter the room, announce your arrival by calling out his name sweetly.

Here are some articles for you to read :-

bringing-home-a-new-cat-the-complete-guide

help-new-cat-adjust-to-home

kitten-proofing-your-home

cats-lilies-avoid-the-danger-lurking-in-your-home

how-to-get-a-cat-to-come-out-of-hiding


Feel free to ask questions and do keep us updated of the progress.

52-reasons-why-cats-must-get-inside-boxes

 

[Diane20-24]

Thank you! I have some clothes in there near his cave and where I place his food bowl. You have great advice which I will incorporate into his routine. My husband is here, but I wasn't sure if both of us should be going in or just me for now because he is so kiddish. I wasn't sure about talking to him because some sites say to go in and be quiet and others recommend talking as you did.
I did have small progress today when he watched me from across the room after he ate! Yay!

 

[DeesCats]

Oh he is a cutie in that pic!

 

[Diane20-24]

2 weeks ago before I caught him.

 

[tabbytom]

Thank you! I have some clothes in there near his cave and where I place his food bowl. You have great advice which I will incorporate into his routine. My husband is here, but I wasn't sure if both of us should be going in or just me for now because he is so kiddish. I wasn't sure about talking to him because some sites say to go in and be quiet and others recommend talking as you did.
I did have small progress today when he watched me from across the room after he ate! Yay!

Yes, love, patience and routine rules the day.

Have your husband to switch places with you so that the kitten can get use to him too and also it is ok and better for the kitten to get used to yours voices and sounds that goes on in the house so that he can be acclimated more quickly. Sounds, mean not loud bangs of doors or shouting and such.

Great that he ate while you are in the room. Just inch your way nearer each time and watch his reaction. If he does not show any signs of fear or jitters, continue the movements till you are too close for comfort. If he shows signs of jitters, stay put.

He's a lovely cute boy You are doing great!

 

[barbb]

I am wondering how everything is going with your scaredy kitten? I work for a rescue that does TNR and I am on the cats in transition team and help to socialize the kittens.
We do put kittens in cage which actually also helps them to feel safe from us. And also the cage is a way to engage with them where they don’t feel threatened. Some things that we do are putting baby food or a squeeze up on a spoon over to their nose through cage bars so they associate hands with good things. Another thing you can do is to have a string toy on a stick that you can also used to engage the kitten in play through the cage bars. Cats eyes are conditioned to see movement and it is definitely eye candy for a kitten to see the string toys fly by.
As kitten gets accustomed to spoon treats, you can put food directly onto your hand for them to come to you.
Some people also wrap the kitten in a towel, which they call a purrito and pet them that way, but if your methods are working, then I would not do that.
You probably already have television or a laptop with aquarium scene where they are getting used to people, noises and soothing music. If not, then that helps.
If you have already received this advice, then disregard and I hope you are just doing well!

 

[Diane20-24]

I am wondering how everything is going with your scaredy kitten? I work for a rescue that does TNR and I am on the cats in transition team and help to socialize the kittens.
We do put kittens in cage which actually also helps them to feel safe from us. And also the cage is a way to engage with them where they don’t feel threatened. Some things that we do are putting baby food or a squeeze up on a spoon over to their nose through cage bars so they associate hands with good things. Another thing you can do is to have a string toy on a stick that you can also used to engage the kitten in play through the cage bars. Cats eyes are conditioned to see movement and it is definitely eye candy for a kitten to see the string toys fly by.
As kitten gets accustomed to spoon treats, you can put food directly onto your hand for them to come to you.
Some people also wrap the kitten in a towel, which they call a purrito and pet them that way, but if your methods are working, then I would not do that.
You probably already have television or a laptop with aquarium scene where they are getting used to people, noises and soothing music. If not, then that helps.
If you have already received this advice, then disregard and I hope you are just doing well!

It is going very, very slowly. I wonder if I am doing something wrong. When he was first caught, he did not hiss, growl, or swipe at anyone. Now, as soon as he sees me starting to come near him, he starts hissing with a rare growl. He stays in his cave for most of the time still. I ended up not using the cage or setting it up because I found out he was playing all over the room at night. I did not want to confine him any further. But, with his cave and his persistent reluctance to my presence, I cannot even try to touch him. I didn't think about using a TV in there for when I am not in the room. I go in the room 4 times a day. Twice with his meal and twice with treats/snacks, just a few, but to associate me with food. I announce myself first upon entering and tell him it is meal time, say his name and talk softly and sweetly to him. I am sleeping in the bedroom every other night. I have put a 61 inch cat tower in there as well.

Progress that I have seen: He will eat the meal further away from his cave and closer to me (most of the time), but as soon as I think about moving a muscle, he runs to the cave. He will play with the toys in the room during the daytime if I am on the bed, but not if I have any interaction with him or sit on the floor. I found he likes David Teie music for cats and purrs very loudly in his cave at times. I play the music each time I am in the room.

What I cannot do: touch him with anything such as long handled brush, gloved hand, etc.; wrap him in a towel to become a purrito; have him eat the food out of my hands (when I try, he swats at my hands and hisses. This makes me jump, he jumps, and I and he retreat.); or getting him to play with a toy on a string that I am holding.

I am open to all advise at this time!

 

[Julest]

It is going very, very slowly. I wonder if I am doing something wrong. When he was first caught, he did not hiss, growl, or swipe at anyone. Now, as soon as he sees me starting to come near him, he starts hissing with a rare growl. He stays in his cave for most of the time still. I ended up not using the cage or setting it up because I found out he was playing all over the room at night. I did not want to confine him any further. But, with his cave and his persistent reluctance to my presence, I cannot even try to touch him. I didn't think about using a TV in there for when I am not in the room. I go in the room 4 times a day. Twice with his meal and twice with treats/snacks, just a few, but to associate me with food. I announce myself first upon entering and tell him it is meal time, say his name and talk softly and sweetly to him. I am sleeping in the bedroom every other night. I have put a 61 inch cat tower in there as well.

Progress that I have seen: He will eat the meal further away from his cave and closer to me (most of the time), but as soon as I think about moving a muscle, he runs to the cave. He will play with the toys in the room during the daytime if I am on the bed, but not if I have any interaction with him or sit on the floor. I found he likes David Teie music for cats and purrs very loudly in his cave at times. I play the music each time I am in the room.

What I cannot do: touch him with anything such as long handled brush, gloved hand, etc.; wrap him in a towel to become a purrito; have him eat the food out of my hands (when I try, he swats at my hands and hisses. This makes me jump, he jumps, and I and he retreat.); or getting him to play with a toy on a string that I am holding.

I am open to all advise at this time!

It just takes time. I have had my feral cat for 6 months now and I still cant pet him. He was a very feral, 3 year old injured Tom cat when I got him though so I am sure your kitten will come along a lot faster than mine has. It took me a while before I could get my cat vaccinated and neutered and then he was in rabies quarantine due to his injuries.

Like your kitten, Billy was quiet when I first got him and didn't hiss or spit and lunge at me. That happened after about 5 days and got steadily worse. I now know that he was just frozen in fear when I initially brought him into the house and the hissing, spitting, lunging etc was actually a sign of progression. 6 months later and he will still hiss at me sometimes but not often and he is really happy and playful. He will lie at my feet and follow me around and loves playing with little balls that he waits for me to roll to him. He will also eat out of my hand now but still hisses and bats at me if I pet him. It's all just a process. You will get there.

These photos are my week one and now with Billy.

 

[tabbytom]

Progress that I have seen: He will eat the meal further away from his cave and closer to me (most of the time), but as soon as I think about moving a muscle, he runs to the cave. He will play with the toys in the room during the daytime if I am on the bed, but not if I have any interaction with him or sit on the floor. I found he likes David Teie music for cats and purrs very loudly in his cave at times. I play the music each time I am in the room.

What I cannot do: touch him with anything such as long handled brush, gloved hand, etc.; wrap him in a towel to become a purrito; have him eat the food out of my hands (when I try, he swats at my hands and hisses. This makes me jump, he jumps, and I and he retreat.); or getting him to play with a toy on a string that I am holding.

I am open to all advise at this time!

Don't give up. Keep doing what you are doing. Cats can sense our emotions. The more you feel discouraged, the more they can't get used to you. This takes time and with his behaviour of eating, playing and purring, he is not that wild. He is just playing it safe with you.

Present your fist to him. A closed fist resembles another cat's head and cats like to head bump when they meet. Smear some food on your fist and let him sniff your fist. It may take awhile for him to get use to this. Any outstretched hand or cat wand will put him on guard.

Take small steps with him and don't rush through the process. Whenever his swats or hiss, just tell him lovingly but sternly 'No'. More interaction with him would be better.

Yes, play soothing music for him whether you are in the room or not.

 

[kittychick]

Definitely don’t give up! I know it feels like forever, but it’s only been a few weeks, & in the socializing world, you’ve very early in the process. And you’re not doing anything wrong. Socializing kittens (& cats) is often one step forward, two steps back. Your guy was very possibly initially relatively paralyzed with fear, and thinking if he made himself known as little as possible, he’d maybe get to go back to his outside home. Remember - it’s that super spiciness & fear that his mamma taught him would keep him alive. Years ago someone on this site told me something that really hit home: when socializing kitties, remember they’re giving you a gift…the gift of patience.

Socializing ferals is generally a slow process that takes (you guessed it!) lots of patience. A few things I do that I don’t think were mentioned earlier (altho could be mistaken!). 1: Scared kitties generally respond better to soft, higher voices. I do think your husband should switch off with you if possible. It would help if both of you enter slowly, and talk softly & (esp your husband - but remind him he’ll get to speak “normally” soon) in a slightly higher pitch. 2: I get on the floor as soon as possible. The more you’re above him, the more threatening you seem to him right now. So I spend lots of time lying on the floor. 3: I believe in spending as much time as possible with a kitty when socializing (it definitely speeds up the process - there’s no real substitute for time). I go to their room, sit/lay on the floor & do things like go thru email, read a book or magazine, open mail, etc. And I read everything softly aloud. 4: I use an extendable spoon I got on Amazon & put “kitty crack” (Gerber’s Stage 2 chicken & gravy — yes, human baby food! It can be any flavor without onion or garlic, but I find the chicken flavor to be what 99.9% go nutty for) on it - that way I don’t have to get close before he’s ready. And if a kitty’s too frightened for that, I duct tape 2 extended spoons together. 5: I definitely - as was mentioned - keep a radio with human voices playing (like NPR) any time I’m not in the room. It helps the kitty get more accustomed to hearing humans talk, and it helps drown out other noises in the house.

Keep working with him —- you’re saving his life (or at least making it MUCH longer) by bringing him in! Keep us posted!

 

[Kwik]

Hi D Diane20-24

I always use containment transitioning ferals- given too many options to avoid they avoid....people do transition ferals to indoor life as they would a stray and put them in a safe room,they'll acclimate to being indoors,establish territory between 30-90 days( kittens are pretty easy) BUT the environment has not been changed in a way that modifies their behavior - it can take an extremely long time giving a feral so much room to avoid and places to hide.....

Your 4tier cage is perfect- they feel safe in the vertical space provided,with you being much less threatening down below cleaning litter box,changing water,,feeding and they've no place to go except a cubby( always have a cubby)

Then as they adjust you stay very close during feeding - food motivates to come out of cubby- I start with food up high and gradually bring it down to lower levels until they are eating with my hand on the dish.....

Where are you at right now with this little guy? How old did the Vet estimate?

 

[Diane20-24]

It just takes time. I have had my feral cat for 6 months now and I still cant pet him. He was a very feral, 3 year old injured Tom cat when I got him though so I am sure your kitten will come along a lot faster than mine has. It took me a while before I could get my cat vaccinated and neutered and then he was in rabies quarantine due to his injuries.

Like your kitten, Billy was quiet when I first got him and didn't hiss or spit and lunge at me. That happened after about 5 days and got steadily worse. I now know that he was just frozen in fear when I initially brought him into the house and the hissing, spitting, lunging etc was actually a sign of progression. 6 months later and he will still hiss at me sometimes but not often and he is really happy and playful. He will lie at my feet and follow me around and loves playing with little balls that he waits for me to roll to him. He will also eat out of my hand now but still hisses and bats at me if I pet him. It's all just a process. You will get there.

These photos are my week one and now with Billy.

Thank you! I didn't think of his hissing et. al. as a sign of progression, but recession. It makes sense that he was frozen scared to death at first. I am now able to get him to eat from a long ice tea spoon as long as my fist around it is at the end. Yeah, I tried moving my fist closer to the food so he would associate my hand with the food, but he was not fooled. He promptly hit my hand with his darling sharp claws. Small.steps, i have to remember this and go at his pace, not mune.

Billy is a beautiful boy! It is remarkable how far he has come!

 

[Diane20-24]

Hi D Diane20-24

I always use containment transitioning ferals- given too many options to avoid they avoid....people do transition ferals to indoor life as they would a stray and put them in a safe room,they'll acclimate to being indoors,establish territory between 30-90 days( kittens are pretty easy) BUT the environment has not been changed in a way that modifies their behavior - it can take an extremely long time giving a feral so much room to avoid and places to hide.....

Your 4tier cage is perfect- they feel safe in the vertical space provided,with you being much less threatening down below cleaning litter box,changing water,,feeding and they've no place to go except a cubby( always have a cubby)

Then as they adjust you stay very close during feeding - food motivates to come out of cubby- I start with food up high and gradually bring it down to lower levels until they are eating with my hand on the dish.....

Where are you at right now with this little guy? How old did the Vet estimate?

The vet gave him a birth date of 20 Sep 2024, so he is 12 weeks old now. He was 9 weeks old when I caught him and about 4 weeks old when I first found him outside.

Progress to date:
I don't have the cat cage anymore because I was confused about putting him in it after letting him be in the small bedroom. He would play and run around the room, but in the past 3-4 days mostly stays within a 4 foot radius of his cat cave (which is is a corner of the room). I have attached 2 photos of him and his space. He is inside his cave with his jaguar stuffed cat (that he moves around all over the cave).

Feeding: he will eat from an iced tea spoon that I am holding at the end. He will slowly come out of his cave about 1 foot to eat from the spoon if I start near the cave and gradually move away. He will eat the food in the bowl in front of me (about 6-12 inches) and I am sitting about 5 feet away from his cage. He will eat from the bowl with my hand holding it and gradually moving it, and him, away from the cage. He uses the litter box which is under the bed and about 7 feet away from his cave.

Play: he is bringing his toys into the cave and plays with them in the cave and today he did this when he could still see me. I have not seen him run around the room playing in the last few days and his toys have not been repositioned in the room, so I don't think he is leaving his safe zone now.

Bathing: today was the first time I saw him give himself a full bath in his cave after eating while I was there and he could see me. Before, he would go back in his cave and maybe wash his paws, but usually, he would just go back into the cave and get into a low crouched position and stare at me.

I don't have a radio or TV in the room, but I am going to get that set up today.

Purrs: he purrs frequently, but not at consistent things. It is a wonderful sound because it is so loud!

Patience: he is teaching me a lot about patience! LOL! But I love him and he is worth every bit of it.

??? My question: Since I don't have a cage, should I now buy one for him? I wax and wane on this because I do not know what is best for him.

 

[Diane20-24]

Definitely don’t give up! I know it feels like forever, but it’s only been a few weeks, & in the socializing world, you’ve very early in the process. And you’re not doing anything wrong. Socializing kittens (& cats) is often one step forward, two steps back. Your guy was very possibly initially relatively paralyzed with fear, and thinking if he made himself known as little as possible, he’d maybe get to go back to his outside home. Remember - it’s that super spiciness & fear that his mamma taught him would keep him alive. Years ago someone on this site told me something that really hit home: when socializing kitties, remember they’re giving you a gift…the gift of patience.

Socializing ferals is generally a slow process that takes (you guessed it!) lots of patience. A few things I do that I don’t think were mentioned earlier (altho could be mistaken!). 1: Scared kitties generally respond better to soft, higher voices. I do think your husband should switch off with you if possible. It would help if both of you enter slowly, and talk softly & (esp your husband - but remind him he’ll get to speak “normally” soon) in a slightly higher pitch. 2: I get on the floor as soon as possible. The more you’re above him, the more threatening you seem to him right now. So I spend lots of time lying on the floor. 3: I believe in spending as much time as possible with a kitty when socializing (it definitely speeds up the process - there’s no real substitute for time). I go to their room, sit/lay on the floor & do things like go thru email, read a book or magazine, open mail, etc. And I read everything softly aloud. 4: I use an extendable spoon I got on Amazon & put “kitty crack” (Gerber’s Stage 2 chicken & gravy — yes, human baby food! It can be any flavor without onion or garlic, but I find the chicken flavor to be what 99.9% go nutty for) on it - that way I don’t have to get close before he’s ready. And if a kitty’s too frightened for that, I duct tape 2 extended spoons together. 5: I definitely - as was mentioned - keep a radio with human voices playing (like NPR) any time I’m not in the room. It helps the kitty get more accustomed to hearing humans talk, and it helps drown out other noises in the house.

Keep working with him —- you’re saving his life (or at least making it MUCH longer) by bringing him in! Keep us posted!

I wasn't sure about how often to be in the room. One site I read mentioned only being in there when the kitten was being fed or getting treats.

Arthritis has a tendency to not always allow me to get down on the floor and my husband definitely cannot do that. But, I do try to get as low as I can. Sometimes I have to rest on the bed if I am just spending time in the room with him. For meals though, I am always sitting on the floor.

Patience... what a wonderful gift. I always joke at church that one never asks God for patience because He will always find ways to TEACH one patience! Giuseppe is definitely teaching me about patience!

 

[Kwik]

The vet gave him a birth date of 20 Sep 2024, so he is 12 weeks old now. He was 9 weeks old when I caught him and about 4 weeks old when I first found him outside.

Progress to date:
I don't have the cat cage anymore because I was confused about putting him in it after letting him be in the small bedroom. He would play and run around the room, but in the past 3-4 days mostly stays within a 4 foot radius of his cat cave (which is is a corner of the room). I have attached 2 photos of him and his space. He is inside his cave with his jaguar stuffed cat (that he moves around all over the cave).

Feeding: he will eat from an iced tea spoon that I am holding at the end. He will slowly come out of his cave about 1 foot to eat from the spoon if I start near the cave and gradually move away. He will eat the food in the bowl in front of me (about 6-12 inches) and I am sitting about 5 feet away from his cage. He will eat from the bowl with my hand holding it and gradually moving it, and him, away from the cage. He uses the litter box which is under the bed and about 7 feet away from his cave.

Play: he is bringing his toys into the cave and plays with them in the cave and today he did this when he could still see me. I have not seen him run around the room playing in the last few days and his toys have not been repositioned in the room, so I don't think he is leaving his safe zone now.

Bathing: today was the first time I saw him give himself a full bath in his cave after eating while I was there and he could see me. Before, he would go back in his cave and maybe wash his paws, but usually, he would just go back into the cave and get into a low crouched position and stare at me.

I don't have a radio or TV in the room, but I am going to get that set up today.

Purrs: he purrs frequently, but not at consistent things. It is a wonderful sound because it is so loud!

Patience: he is teaching me a lot about patience! LOL! But I love him and he is worth every bit of it.

??? My question: Since I don't have a cage, should I now buy one for him? I wax and wane on this because I do not know what is best for him.

Nah- he's already at 90 days inside and you say he's only like 3 months old- don't bother,he must be exploring all of that room at night and it's already established as his territory- though he's very young and just not so confident but he's trying to be- lol ? His little swats)

Always approach from his side and keep your hand( fist ) lower snd raise it up to him- vs in towards him head on or lowering from above( thsts scarey )

I see his little Cat Condo too- if he gets enough courage to get up on the perches it'll be a good safety place for him to feel more confident looking down from above- you can purchase some Comfort Zone or catnip pump spray to attract him with the scents

He's just a baby,they come around very quickly..... you're going to be fine,spend lots of time just sitting in there.....wand toys often frighten ferals,give him a little time with moving it on the ground and if he's afraid let it be for now.... you can spray the Comfort Zone on toys as well

He's adorable

 

[Diane20-24]

Nah- he's already at 90 days inside and you say he's only like 3 months old- don't bother,he must be exploring all of that room at night and it's already established as his territory- though he's very young and just not so confident but he's trying to be- lol ? His little swats)

Always approach from his side and keep your hand( fist ) lower snd raise it up to him- vs in towards him head on or lowering from above( thsts scarey )

I see his little Cat Condo too- if he gets enough courage to get up on the perches it'll be a good safety place for him to feel more confident looking down from above- you can purchase some Comfort Zone or catnip pump spray to attract him with the scents

He's just a baby,they come around very quickly..... you're going to be fine,spend lots of time just sitting in there.....wand toys often frighten ferals,give him a little time with moving it on the ground and if he's afraid let it be for now.... you can spray the Comfort Zone on toys as well

He's adorable

Thanks! I will forget about finding an enclosure; one less thing to do before the holidays, too! I have the comfort zone infuser in his room since he came home. I tried using the pheromone spray, but it was probably too zone and he was too scared. I think I will give it a try.

Thank you to everyone for your advise and support! It has made a world of difference for this newbie feral kitten Mom!

 

[Diane20-24]

Thanks! I will forget about finding an enclosure; one less thing to do before the holidays, too! I have the comfort zone infuser in his room since he came home. I tried using the pheromone spray, but it was probably too zone and he was too scared. I think I will give it a try.

Thank you to everyone for your advise and support! It has made a world of difference for this newbie feral kitten Mom!

Sorry, I meant it was too soon using the pheromone spray.

 

[Julest]

Hi D Diane20-24

I always use containment transitioning ferals- given too many options to avoid they avoid....people do transition ferals to indoor life as they would a stray and put them in a safe room,they'll acclimate to being indoors,establish territory between 30-90 days( kittens are pretty easy) BUT the environment has not been changed in a way that modifies their behavior - it can take an extremely long time giving a feral so much room to avoid and places to hide.....

Your 4tier cage is perfect- they feel safe in the vertical space provided,with you being much less threatening down below cleaning litter box,changing water,,feeding and they've no place to go except a cubby( always have a cubby)

Then as they adjust you stay very close during feeding - food motivates to come out of cubby- I start with food up high and gradually bring it down to lower levels until they are eating with my hand on the dish.....

Where are you at right now with this little guy? How old did the Vet estimate?

I followed Kwik’s advice and although it seemed slow and stressful it has worked well for Billy and I. We are still a work in process but getting there. I still close Billy into the catio at night for the time being as I am not quite there with the full socialisation so I want him to need to interact with me still. I learnt so much from her and all the others’ posts.

 

[tabbytom]

??? My question: Since I don't have a cage, should I now buy one for him? I wax and wane on this because I do not know what is best for him.

Both of you are doing great! Small steps are the best.

No need of a cage. he's doing well as he is.

The only time I put my boy in a cage was when he first arrived as I was not ready for a cat. I only put him in the cage in the night as my house was not cat ready and it was like about 3 days I cat proofed my house and I let him roam free. He has all access to my house and he's a happy cat.