Socializing my new foster kittens!
Four days ago, I got VERY TERRIFIED BABIES.
They did NOT like this thing called humans.
Socializing tiny kittens takes some patience, but these two are only six weeks– once they stop being terrified, we will be best friends.
Right now though, their life has been totally upended and everything is SO scary and they need a minute to understand this is a good place!
I start them in an extra-large dog crate; it’s large enough that I too can fit inside… this lets them get used to me without being able to run away… I get in after dinner and watch tv with Paul while he sits on the couch because we are romantic.
BTW: we watched Far From the Tree– parents journeying towards understanding their unique children… I really enjoyed it; it is very wise. I had not heard of the non-fiction book that it is based on, but I’ve requested it from the library and am excited to read it.
By day two, the growling was over. But their anxiety and hissing was still a LOT… by day three, PROGRESS! The hissing was perfunctory and only when I had been out of their sight long enough for them to have reset their alarm.
I could hold them and pet them but they were still scared so petting does not register as love; I have not gotten any purring YET… just terrified vibrating.
BUT! They are starting to do some playing… they like the circular ball thing… I tried to show them a string but it alarmed them. WHY ARE YOU THROWING A SNAKE AT US. I was like, right… sorry about that.
Today is day four. NO HISSING YET!!!!
AND!
LouLou is showing signs that she will be an elite-level-champion in the category of belly rub recipient.
The tiny tortoise is LouLou… technically she is King Louis the third; King Louis the second is here… if you go to that post, you will see that BOTH of these babies are twins to that previous crew.
Baby tux is Elvis the umpteenth… my OG Elvis is reincarnated to me frequently.
One last thing— if you have been thinking about fostering, NOW is the time! Shelters are overwhelmed and kittens are being euthanized daily… WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
If kittens are too much for you, foster an adult cat! They are nearly zero work and you may end up discovering an old-man lion like Webster.
OR there are ways you can help your local shelter without even having animals in your home! I wrote a post here about ways to get involved with your animal shelter! One of the BEST is TNR– Trap, Neuter, Return. I explain more in that post.
Ok! That is it! I am going back to the fluffnuggets.
xoxo, VEB
Cat Public Relations Specialist
May 26, 2019 @ 9:50 am
Bach Rescue Remedy rubbed on ears may help with the anxiety. Or you can just put a few drops in their water and it will diffuse.
It’s great stuff: I carry it everywhere!
May 26, 2019 @ 10:03 am
two comments about mushifying young kittens – the fact that they are alone and scared, and miss their mom, works mightily in your favor! stroking their cheeks and faces with a thumb is so soothing. Using a crate is key – one that you can climb in is awesome. Are you offering chicken baby food on a spoon? good way to warm up a hand-shy kitten.
Also, check out the Cat Dancer, the inexpensive toy that will immejately make them forget that they’re scared of you! I buy them by the dozen.
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Dancer-101-Interactive-Toy/dp/B0006N9I68
May 26, 2019 @ 10:11 am
Oh dear, I think I’m going to cry – such fury with the little tortie and such fear from the wee tuxie the first days and now they’re a pair of fluffnuggets:) Bless you, VEB. PS – love the video of getting the headboard up the house and through the window:)
May 26, 2019 @ 10:32 am
You truly have a heart of gold!
May 26, 2019 @ 10:39 am
This is so dear-thank goodness there are so many kind people in the world.
May 26, 2019 @ 10:48 am
You are a true cat whisperer. And they are just adorable. If I could (as in if husband would allow it!) I would have at LEAST six cats. I just love them, but he just doesn’t. Boo.
May 26, 2019 @ 11:18 am
You’re a hero, brightened my day.
May 26, 2019 @ 11:24 am
OMG, they are so cute! When mine were kittens, I would feed them baby food, they would eat out of my hands, and then immediately run and hide. I was always amazed that they would eat out of my hands, but then run away. I didn’t get them until they were three months old, and by then, socializing them was challenging. I think your kittens are lucky to have you at six weeks. Mine are now three years old. One is quite socialized and very loving, but his brother is still a very sensitive little guy. Their vet prescribed Buspar, (buspirone), for him, but you know how difficult getting a pill down a cat’s throat can be.
I have read the book, “Far From the Tree”, but was not aware that a documentary was made from the book. It’s an excellent book, and I highly recommend it. I’ll have to check out the movie.
May 26, 2019 @ 12:40 pm
Love your blog so much and your big spirit.
May 26, 2019 @ 1:22 pm
What lucky kittens, you found them! I am so happy you are able to foster again. Thank you for all you do for the kitties. I think you are amazing!!!
May 26, 2019 @ 3:00 pm
I love the way you write about the kittens… ”elite level champion in in the belly rub recipient category”!
It’s nice to read someone who is enjoying life!
Oh, and your wedding video is just plain joyous!💕
May 26, 2019 @ 3:51 pm
Thank you for this work you do! Someday when my human baby is older, I may just follow in your footsteps.
May 26, 2019 @ 4:56 pm
I foster orphan baby bottle kittens. I currently have 11 kittens. Once they eat gruel they’ll go to another foster.
I adore the bottle babies. They’re a lot of work but so rewarding. I will always foster.
May 26, 2019 @ 6:07 pm
I love you more every time you do a post on fluffnuggets. Is that possible? it must be since I love you more!
May 26, 2019 @ 6:40 pm
Saw this and thought of you. I am not sure if two kittens will fit https://www.thedodo.com/close-to-home/feral-kittens-socialized
May 27, 2019 @ 12:39 pm
Picture of you in the crate, please.
May 27, 2019 @ 6:15 pm
Oh my gawd. Off the charts adorable.
May 28, 2019 @ 12:28 pm
Such courage with little ones! Patience is not my virtue and scared Kitties drive me crazy because I just want to hold them and pet them and call them George!!! Far from the Tree is quite a book to dive into. Long and quite a bit of science but interesting!
May 28, 2019 @ 2:58 pm
Those babies are so adorable–I’m starting to have some kitten lust!!
We just managed to have 4 abandoned kittens from Kotor taken in for foster by an amazing woman named Jeanne (Zhanna), who is building a shelter with her own funds outside Podgorica, Montenegro. Two foster kitties whose adoption in England fell through last week are now going to a lovely home in Scotland instead, and a newborn rejected by it’s mother in Old Town Kotor was wrapped with a warm bottle by restaurant staff, and someone is going to pick it up now, while we look for a nursing mama to accept it. So it is a RED LETTER DAY for our spay and neuter program in Montenegro as well!!!
Obviously we have a looonnnnggggg way to go before our spay/neuter program outstrips the birth rate, but we’re doing them!!
June 7, 2019 @ 11:11 am
Since you are a cat expert, what is the best reasonably priced litter box? My cat hates hers.