How do you look after a feral kitten?

Question

I am fostering a longhaired feral kitten and I was wondering how I should look after it. Also, should I introduce my own cat to it on the first day as it likes other cats and when should I introduce brushing?

thanks

Answer 1

buy a book

Answer 2

I would not introduce it to your other cat until you are certain it is healthy. Unfortunately, kitties that are born from feral moms can have things that may not show up for a week or 2. (ear mites, ringworm, URI, parasites etc)

You don't say how old the kitten is. The younger it is the easier it will be for it to adjust to people. It is best to base your approach on the kitty's response to you. The older the kitten, the slower you will probably need to approach the situation.

If you gave a bit more detail, I may be able to offer more direct suggestions...

Answer 3

The thing here is to gain trust. A cat will only be friendly on it's own terms.  It is very true that you never really tame a cat,it tolerates you, but deep down it may well "love" you eventually but you will never know. I know this because I have seen a cat fretting by it's home when we have looked after one when the people it owns are away. They are strange and wonderful and intelligent  creatures always worthy of great respect. I am an ex-cat hater and the only reason I do not have one now is that my wife is allergic to them. I can't advise on introducing your cat other than to say do it slowly, they have to learn to trust one another as well because cats are loners        

Answer 4

are you keeping the kitty or just fostering it

before you introuce it to your kitties have it tested at the vet for feline AIDS and just in case and have it checked over and innoculated, you can't catch the virus but your other cat can so if you are gonna keep it handle it as much as possible and feed it to bond with it

good luck my former feral kitty is lovely and the most affectionate of my 3  

Answer 5

It shouldnt be too hard, because it is a kitten, you just tame it, get it too trust you, where it lets you stroke it and isn't scared of you, and then just introduce brushing, to be fair, my cat loves getting brushed!