Hi group,
I am new to this forum and seeking advice. A feral cat (one born 3 years ago that I have fed outdoors) gave birth to 3 kittens in July. By mid August she started bringing them to me and I fed her and them. After the mom weened the kittens, she does not come around as much. However I have fed the kittens consistently every day twice a day indoors. They have a heated house outdoors with a heated water bowl. After they eat, I play with them with a cat toy, so they interact with me. the one boy (Spot) lets me pet him and pick him up and is the friendliest. The other boy, Braveheart, may let me rub his tummy and sometimes let's me pick him up for a short time. The girl, Jag, is the most skittish and will barely let me touch her when I feed her. She doesn't like it.
So here are my questions. How do I get them house trained? I introduced a litter box but they do not use it (not fun finding and cleaning up elsewhere). Braveheart and Jag seem a bit more content to stay indoors but Spot will meow incessantly if the door closes and becomes increasingly reluctant to stay inside. It is cold out so I cannot keep the door open. If the door is open, Spot is happy to play inside, he just wants to know he can escape. Because of this, the other two usually follow him out, albeit later in the night as they do seem to like being inside. They are all just very loyal to each other. I am trying to domesticate them so that I can handle them and get them fixed by March and then find them homes. I work full time so cannot be home 9-5. A little reluctant to leave them unattended scratching and pooing everywhere. Can anyone suggest ideas to help me get them domesticated given that background?
I am new to this forum and seeking advice. A feral cat (one born 3 years ago that I have fed outdoors) gave birth to 3 kittens in July. By mid August she started bringing them to me and I fed her and them. After the mom weened the kittens, she does not come around as much. However I have fed the kittens consistently every day twice a day indoors. They have a heated house outdoors with a heated water bowl. After they eat, I play with them with a cat toy, so they interact with me. the one boy (Spot) lets me pet him and pick him up and is the friendliest. The other boy, Braveheart, may let me rub his tummy and sometimes let's me pick him up for a short time. The girl, Jag, is the most skittish and will barely let me touch her when I feed her. She doesn't like it.
So here are my questions. How do I get them house trained? I introduced a litter box but they do not use it (not fun finding and cleaning up elsewhere). Braveheart and Jag seem a bit more content to stay indoors but Spot will meow incessantly if the door closes and becomes increasingly reluctant to stay inside. It is cold out so I cannot keep the door open. If the door is open, Spot is happy to play inside, he just wants to know he can escape. Because of this, the other two usually follow him out, albeit later in the night as they do seem to like being inside. They are all just very loyal to each other. I am trying to domesticate them so that I can handle them and get them fixed by March and then find them homes. I work full time so cannot be home 9-5. A little reluctant to leave them unattended scratching and pooing everywhere. Can anyone suggest ideas to help me get them domesticated given that background?