Llj's Kitten Thread, The Rosebush One.

[lljdma06]

really, 4 weeks? i'd have thought that you could tame kittens as old as 16 weeks, given enough quiet and patience. of course, it may depend on what the definition of "feral" is...

Like you said though, it takes a lot more patience and quiet. At four week or less, they're still dependent on mother for milk and waste elimination, so the bond formed byt the care-giver and the kitten during these activities makes it much easier and not much really needs to be done as far as taming goes. To them, I am mama, and they are already comforted by the sound of my voice and some even purr when I pick them up. These kittens will grow up used to being handled and used to human touch. They already let me cut their toenails and I've only had them for 2 days.

When they're older, it gets progressively harder. Anybody can bottle feed a kitten, but to tame a 16 week old feral kitten and turn it into a family pet, that takes smarts. I admire these people. I've handled feral 8 week kittens and had to use very heavy leather gloves, they were bundles of spitting, scratching hissing fur and these were eventually adopted, so there are people out there with a great deal of patience. I definitely don't have the time for that kind of thing, yet I have time for bottle feedings at 2am

I'm pleased with their progress, they're gaining weight so far, and that's great.

llj

 

[pica_nuttalli]

really, 4 weeks? i'd have thought that you could tame kittens as old as 16 weeks, given enough quiet and patience. of course, it may depend on what the definition of "feral" is...

Like you said though, it takes a lot more patience and quiet. At four week or less, they're still dependent on mother for milk and waste elimination, so the bond formed byt the care-giver and the kitten during these activities makes it much easier and not much really needs to be done as far as taming goes. To them, I am mama, and they are already comforted by the sound of my voice and some even purr when I pick them up. These kittens will grow up used to being handled and used to human touch. They already let me cut their toenails and I've only had them for 2 days.

When they're older, it gets progressively harder. Anybody can bottle feed a kitten, but to tame a 16 week old feral kitten and turn it into a family pet, that takes smarts. I admire these people. I've handled feral 8 week kittens and had to use very heavy leather gloves, they were bundles of spitting, scratching hissing fur and these were eventually adopted, so there are people out there with a great deal of patience. I definitely don't have the time for that kind of thing, yet I have time for bottle feedings at 2am

and you have my admiration for doing all the gross work for the infants i've never minded working with semi-feral barn kittens, but then my approach is to lock them in a small room (with hiding spots) and just spend time reading in the floor every day. it doesn't produce an exceptionally cuddly cat, but it does help get rid of the fear.

 

[lilfishie]

i'm totaly in love with the little grey one, if you were in the UK he would of had to come to live with me

 

[lljdma06]

i'm totaly in love with the little grey one, if you were in the UK he would of had to come to live with me

Sorry, Max is staying with me. That's his name, short for Maximillian, at least for now. I figured they started gaining weight, so they deserved names.

and you have my admiration for doing all the gross work for the infants

And oh boy is it gross!!!!! All of them decided that it was high time they did number one and number two without my help! It is one of the worst smells imaginable! And they got it all over their fur. I'm surprised they didn't paint with it or something. The funny thing is that they did it all at the same time, so I'm wiping the butts of five babies, they're screaming cause they don't like it, it stinks, I needed to feed them, a tornado warning was in affect, the power was about to go out in my house 'cause we were getting nickle-sized hail, all my other pets were screaming, and I had a stuffy nose and a headache! I needed a beer after that!

llj

 

[kewskills]

you poor thing, they a lovely though.

 

[lilfishie]

i'm totaly in love with the little grey one, if you were in the UK he would of had to come to live with me

Sorry, Max is staying with me. That's his name, short for Maximillian, at least for now. I figured they started gaining weight, so they deserved names.

oh why do you have to spoil it for me, he is just to gorgeous and i love grey cats

 

[lljdma06]

Just a little update. I'll try and post pictures tonight. They've been moved from a box in my bedroom to a spare bathroom with a large bathtub. Lucy, my other kitten is with them and both seem to enjoy the company. The kittens are more out-going and are kind of walking (albeit as if someone spiked their KMR with some Rum! ) around and exploring. All of the eyes are fully open and they can now go to the bathroom on their own, though they still kind of just do their business anywhere. They'll figure things out. All are gaining weight at a very rapid rate. I'm almost done with a large can of powdered KMR and it hasn't even been a full week yet! I need to buy more. They are starting to develop pretty distinct personalities and if their health stays good, I'm going to have some very healthy, happy kittens to find good homes for.

Oh, and the best news ever...

I CAN NOW SLEEP STRAIGHT FOR 6 HOURS!!!!!! NO MORE LATE NIGHT FEEDINGS!!!

Pictures later. Forgive my outburst.

llj

 

[lljdma06]

Here are the promised pictures. Lucy decided to pose as well. It wasn't my intention to put them together, but she kept getting out of the kitchen where we had her sectioned off from the dogs, smart little bugger, and there was no where else to keep her that was completely kitten-proof. She really needs to be bigger before she can be introduced to the dogs. At least be able to jump to a chair if they bother her. They're not agressive, it's just dogs don't think like cats and vis versa. "Come and play with me" to a dog is like "oh my God, it's coming to kill me" to a cat.

The gang together

Pretty faces...

One of the ones I'm keeping. Her name, at least for now, is Cleo. Nice Cleopatra makeup there.

Cleo and Max together. Hopefull I'll be able to keep both.

Lucy on her own, isn't she growing up pretty? She's a little devil though.

I'm surprised that they are getting along, but Lucy's pretty social and I'm glad. It makes my life a lot easier. Lucy's vaccinated already and the kittens are in great shape. She may also help them out with litter box training and weaning. Kind of like a big sister thing.

llj

 

[kewskills]

they are all fantastic, how are you gonna get rid of any of them, way toooo cute

 

[Bloo]

Ahhhh they are too cute! But crikey, how many kitties will you then have if you keep two?

Four cats & 2 dogs (etc.etc.)??

 

[l.michelle]

they are lovely, absolutely gorgeous

 

[Synirr]

Oh gosh, Lucy is stunning already, I can't wait to see her all growed up

 

[Miss Wiggle]

i've tried but i just can't resist, Cleo gets a POTM for the pic of her on her own.

I just have no willpower whatsoever when it comes to kittens, I want more!!!

 

[lljdma06]

Ahhhh they are too cute! But crikey, how many kitties will you then have if you keep two?

Four cats & 2 dogs (etc.etc.)??

Ha! That's nothing. My neighbor has like 7 cats and two dogs. I keep wavering between one and two. I'd like a male cat, I've never had one. Of course he'd end up neutered, but he's still be a boy. Once the kitten boosters and neutering are done, their upkeep isn't that bad. They'll eat the same food, use the same litter, etc. It's just the first five months that are most expensive. Many people see kittens and ooo...how cute, but I really like the adults and can't wait for these guys to grow up.

i've tried but i just can't resist, Cleo gets a POTM for the pic of her on her own.

I just have no willpower whatsoever when it comes to kittens, I want more!!!

EDIT: I'm such a bone-head, forgot to answer you Miss Wiggle. More coffee required. Thanks for the POTM nod. It's appreciated. Cleo is pretty cute, isn't she? As sweet as pie too. Loves to purr and loves to be held and snuggled, and she's just a baby. Imagine her as an adult?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

she sounds like an absolute darling, i want more kittens