New cats up the chimney...leave them alone or get them out?

[Sapien]

Two new kittens about 6 months old. We had them for a few days, happily in their crate. Let them out to explore the room a bit and they both settled into the chimney.

We did get one out and she went back in the cage. Her socialising seemed to be going great, taking treats by hand playing with toys etc. But when she was let out for food this morning she shot back up the chimney with the other one.

The 1st has been up the chimney for 2 nights. She comes down, eats food and uses the litter tray at night - then back up the chimney. I only put a small amount of food out last night to try and tempt her now but no sign of either of them now.

Im worried by trying to get them I am frightening them more, but I dont want them to get too cosy there and never want to come out and remain feral for ever.

What would you recommend? Leave them alone with plenty of food left out...or get them out ASAP?

Leave them too it. They'll come out when they are ready. One of mine hid for a week when I first got her.

Okay im leaning towards that now, thanks its really helpful.

I think I'm just worried that because they were feral for 3 months they might never come out!

If their ex feral I’d get them out because they can go feral again. Soots carcinogenic too.

I'd try and get them out then block the chimney very securely as a high priority. If you can't you may need to move them to another room.

The Litter Tray rules are that pictures should be included but in these circumstances... maybe not 😁

Read them The Tale of Samuel Whiskers. Tom Kitten goes up the chimney and is set upon by rats.

In fact they make a roly poly pudding with him!

Thats what I worry about

Going feral again....not the rats!

I've blocked up the other chimney already. If I get a trap it should work. They are happy to have a wander at night and eat the food/use the litter tray, so would probably get caught 1st time.

I’d definitely get them out. I think I remember a product called a chimney sheep (?) that would stop them getting up there again.

The rescue should have warned you about chimneys and cats.

In hindsight its obvious.

But they are happily coming in and out when we are not around, so at least they are not trapped just hiding out.

I've ordered a trap to catch them overnight if it doesn't happen before then.

I knew everyone here would be helpful. Thank you.

So they are in the cage all day?

That doesn't seem right to me.

If they are feral, they surely they need hadnling if you want to ever tame them too

you can block a chimney quite effectivley with a black bin bag.
Put it up, blow into it so it fills the space, tie a knot.
On the plus side your room will be a lot warmer when the fire isn't on too!

Do you want these kittens to become family pets?

I have adopted a feral kitten twice. Both times the cat eventually became quite a sweet lap cat to just me when no-one else was around, but remained terrified of everyone else and ran out as soon as anyone else came in. Even my flat mate who she lived with.
They don't make the best pets.

They aren't caged cats! Just for the first few days a big dog cage with everything they need, but also taken out and stroked often and left alone again to acclimatise for a few days. Then onto the 2nd stage where they get used to one room - with a chimney . Still with most of their stuff in the cage - but with the cage door open permanently.

Its what was recommended.

@Sapien

They aren't caged cats! Just for the first few days a big dog cage with everything they need, but also taken out and stroked often and left alone again to acclimatise for a few days. Then onto the 2nd stage where they get used to one room - with a chimney . Still with most of their stuff in the cage - but with the cage door open permanently.

Its what was recommended.

Got it, sorry.

No worries :-)

Hopefully I will be back here in a day or 2 with news that the cats are out and the chimney's blocked.

@Sapien

No worries :-)

Hopefully I will be back here in a day or 2 with news that the cats are out and the chimney's blocked.

And with photos!

Good luck OP!

The cats are out. Thanks for the advice.

One came by itself happily to have cuddles and attention the other we used a trap.

The chimney is blocked now so hopefully no more hiding. The shy one was coming out more when we were around, but still wary. Think there will be a week or 2 of hiding behind the sofa still to come.

Fireplace cat

@TheSilveryPussycat

Re: Samuel Whiskers

You rotten thing, I used to have nightmares about that book. I wouldn't have it in my bedroom (used to throw it down the stairs)
I hated the picture of the rat on the front and can now see that poor kitten inside the roly poly pastry vividly now.

Well I won't be able to sleep tonight now.

Leave them to it. My Boy was the “scardiest” cat and hid for 6 months. Then he slowly became the sweetest darling trustworthy cat. I am glad i earned his trust. Let them be. It may take time and you signed up
To patience when you got them.
Put a cushion at the floor of The chimney so they dont get hurt when they land.
When they are Accustomed to their new home, find a way to close off the chimney.
Do they have other hidey-spaces in the room? Put some empty boxes with holes in them, with blankets and treats inside. They need somewhere dark and safe to hide. It is a primal need.

I agree about making them a safe space they can hide with boxes with holes or similar. It will make them feel safe without being out of reach

😁 Is he naturally black or is that from being up the chimney? He looks an absolute poppet - d'you think he'll grow in to those ears??

Glad they're out.