Feral Kittens!

[Millie1]

The title says it all! We got two kittens from a Rescue last Thursday and they have not been handled at all. One will let us pat her, will climb on my knee and will purr but goes mad if we lift her. The other ... well, ears flat back, hisses and trying to lift her? Say goodbye to the skin on your hands!

We've kept them quiet in the laundry since we got them with visits from us and the kids - sitting quietly with them and playing a bit. Any advice Orissa is par for the course? I'm worried that little miss hussy won't come round!

Thanks!

Autocorrect! Let me re-write the last sentence! ....Any advice or is this par for the course? I'm worried that lilttle miss hissy won't come around.

Mine was like that when I first got her, she would bite, scratch and growl demonically if you went too close or tried to pick her up and if you were trying to put food in her bowl you nearly lost limbs. She did calm down eventually but still doesn't really like being picked up and won't sit on your knee. Just to warn you, it did take a lot of time, patience and finger plasters!

if they are young kittens they should both come round it wont be a fast track though,

the one who comes on your lap be content with that for now once she is sure of herself sounds like she will let you pick her up eventually,

the one that is hissy and swipey pick her up by her scruff this sounds harsh but it is the way her mom would have picked her up, she will relax, then be confident with her and hug her into your body and hold her firmly till she relaxes, she will get the hang of you not going to hurt her, it may take quite a few attempts so to start with wear big thick jumper so she dosent do too much damage to you
have just tamed up a hissy spitty feral kitten and it took about a week for her to trust me she was about 7 weeks when i got her and has now gone back to the rescue for adoption a pleasant little lap klingon (im a fosterer)

oh and keeping them seperate from you will reinforce that humans aint friendly could you move thier bed into the main room but just not talk to them direct will get them used to humans being around

Thanks both of you. Great advice - I hope miss hissy won't be aloof. Shall follow your advice Issey. I've had them up in the kitchen/family area at the weekend for short periods though not today but will start that again tomorrow. It's a big area and they completely ignored us - played, hid and ended up sitting on dining chairs tucked beneath the table. Operation Tame Miss Hissy starts tomorrow! Ugh - guess I'd best bring the litter tray with them!