Taming a wild kitten: useful tips and tricks

How to tame a wild kitten

Future owners are worried: how to tame a kitten, what if the situation gets out of control and an unaffectionate cat will grow out of a cute creature. The baby quickly gets used to it and begins to understand:

• Where is the toilet.
• Where is the bowl of food?
• Who lives in the family, from whom you need to hide.

To tame a cat you will have to wait ten days (maximum). Usually this much time is spent on re-educating a street dweller.

It’s worth learning from the very beginning: a kitten’s squeak means “I feel bad,” while purring is a sign of goodwill and contentment.

There is no need to push a squeaking lump into a bathtub of water or allow children to cause pain. The kitten should feel safe and loved. It’s easy to accustom a kitten to handling and rules of behavior (both in the house and at an exhibition): affection, play and treats will do.

Once the baby is in the house, you need to give him time to calm down. You can leave him in an unlocked cage or put him in a low cat basket. Don't forget to place a bowl of water nearby.

In a calm environment, the kitten will soon crawl out of its shelter and go to inspect the territory of the house. Don't pick him up just yet. It is enough to gently stroke him and say a few words in a calm tone. Then transfer to a bowl and praise. In this case, the kitten in your hands will not perceive the action as danger.

Within 24 hours, the cat will begin to trust its owner and may jump onto its lap. The kitten will learn to sit quietly in your arms if you support it by its back. The warmth of the hand is soothing, and any possible fear of heights disappears.

Relationship

If you just start out of the blue and demand something from the cat, then naturally he will perceive it as pressure from the outside. And even more so if this is done by a person not close to his heart. In addition, there are differences in the training methods of cats and dogs, so do not confuse them.

Communicate with your animal regularly

Even if you are hanging out in everyday life, always pay attention to the kitten, whether it is nearby and what it is doing. Talk to him, praise him, stroke him gently, pick him up

If the kitten was alone at home, then when you arrive, you need to pay attention to it. All this will help you get closer to your pet.

Protect him

Try to become a support and a wall for the cat. She will know that when she is stressed, she will be able to find protection in you anyway. This can be done with words and hands. If she is scared of something, then calm her down like a child, stroke her and hold her close.

Comfortable conditions

Every animal needs this. Therefore, do not disturb the cat often, and explain this to the children. They must also understand that he needs rest and peace. Let your pet have a clear schedule for eating and sleeping.

Focus

First, clearly formulate in your head what you want from the cat and how you will achieve it. Only then take action. After all, the animal must also clearly understand what they want from it. Also, do not change the training scheme, otherwise you will lead the kitten astray, and he will not want to do what you require.

Therefore, set precise rules first of all for yourself, for example, if you are not in the mood, still react equally to the cat’s different behavior. Even if you decide that words cannot reach your baby, scold him every time he does something wrong.

It is constant, uniform, targeted control that can help the kitten understand what they want from him. Therefore, do not leave your cat unpunished today if you punished her for it yesterday.

Stop aggression!

Under no circumstances should you unnecessarily punish a male. They are very fragile creatures, so not only can you harm him, but in addition to this, he will not want to comply with your demands. Do not punish the kitten by starving it, locking it in a dark room, or hitting it on the head or nose.

Persuasiveness

If you have a good relationship with the animal, then it will respond to your voice. Therefore, in this case, you will only need persuasion, not shouting. He should listen to your kind and gentle voice.

Head of the family

Even if the kitten sleeps with you, plays, and you allow him to play light pranks, this does not mean that he is the head of the family. The animal must clearly understand who is the owner.

No one has canceled friendly relations, but there must be a fine line between you, which will determine that you are his master and he must obey you, and not vice versa.

Confidence

Even if the owner spends hours persuading the cat, beating it or forcing it to do something, without self-confidence, it is unlikely that he will succeed. Remember that animals have good instincts and senses.

Therefore, they can immediately see through you and will not want to obey a weak master. You are the leader of the entire process, so the kitten should see confidence in you. Only such a master will he recognize the authority and want to obey him.

How to accustom a cat to hands and affection

If you want cat affection, become patient and affectionate yourself. An outdoor cat will begin to trust a person when it gets used to his smell and voice. He will associate his appearance with a pleasant event (food, affection).

A wild cat is tamed in the same way as a kitten. First, treats are brought regularly. Then they hold out their palm with a piece of the most delicious thing (the delicacy lies in the center of the palm, not on the fingers!), and allow it to be sniffed. When the cat begins to approach, perhaps rubs its head on its leg, you can pet it in response, speaking calmly and affectionately.

A common mistake: in order to tame a cat at home, he is immediately locked in a room - the animal will try to escape as soon as it is freed.

You can call the cat with you, after a few meters, stop, praise, and give a treat again. The main thing is that if you come, give her the opportunity to leave. Without feeling afraid, the pet will return.

How not to behave around a cat

Cats are quite freedom-loving and touchy creatures. If the owner has ever offended the cat, the cat will never approach him again. And you can’t even dream of him jumping onto your lap. If the cat receives affection and attention from the owner, then gradually he will get used to the person and respond with mutual affection.

It should be remembered that cats will never do anything against their will. There is no need to forcefully hold them on your knees; this still will not lead to the desired result. The animal itself must want to sit or sleep on its owner’s lap.

If a small kitten tolerates the owner’s caresses normally, then at the first sign of anxiety, it should be released. When the animal begins to nervously beat its tail on the floor, it says that I’m tired, I have a lot of things to do.

Why is the cat not affectionate?

If a cat scratches and bites as an adult, the owners themselves are to blame. While still playing with her, they allowed her to “claw” in excitement. At first it's funny, then the adult:

• bites legs;
• does not allow himself to be combed;
• spoils things, marks territory.

The simplest veterinary examination and medical procedures (injections, enemas) turn into a nightmare for the owner.

The independence and aggressiveness of a mustachioed cohabitant should not be shown towards family members. If the owners are afraid, the pet will become impudent. It is recommended to hold the cat in your arms more often and show affection. After taming, release it for further exploration of the area, praise and treat it with something tasty for good behavior.

Gradually the cat will understand: nothing bad is happening. If you do this regularly, at the same time talk affectionately, give a piece of “yummy” - after a while you can add short-term combing, examining the ears and other manipulations.

An irrepressible desire to “cuddle” can also be the reason why a cat becomes less affectionate. Small children will happily play with the kitty and pull its ear or tail.

Adults sometimes don’t lag behind (especially if the cat is not their property): they shamelessly shove pieces from the table, try to stroke them and pick them up against their will. It's not the cat that needs to be blamed, but the owner:

1. If the cat is not the highlight of the program, it is better to isolate it in another room. Or warn the guest about correct behavior.
2. For children, it is better to find other fun, otherwise the simplest scratch on the hand of an uncontrollable child will ruin the evening.
3. When neither the person nor the cat is particularly anxious, let them interact as they wish.

Advice. It is advisable to wash your hands not only after interacting with an animal, but also before. Precautionary measures apply to small unvaccinated kittens.

How to make a cat affectionate?

Felinologists say that a very affectionate cat is a well-fed cat. There is no question of feeding your pet, but if your animal is starving, you won’t get any affection from it. Do not interfere with the food process under any circumstances; this is an intimate process for a cat (and for any creature, in principle). There is no need to feed the animal if your kitchen is crowded, noisy and loud.

• A very affectionate cat is an animal that receives a lot of attention. If you brush your pet off, if you are not ready to pet him again, if you don’t bother talking to the cat, then don’t expect a response. Cuddle, watch TV together, read the newspaper together - take breaks with your cat.
• To make an animal tame, you cannot carry it in your arms. It's paradoxical, but it's true. You want to pet the cute little kitten and take him in your arms, but why? He doesn’t need it, he loves distance, and if he wants attention, he will definitely show it. By picking him up again, you limit his movements - the cat won’t like it. If you take a cat in your arms, do it in such a way that it has the opportunity to leave at any moment: one hand under the chest, the other stroking the animal.
• The animal escapes danger by climbing to a height. It is unlikely that you will be able to plant a tree at home, but you can organize different houses and higher ladders. In case of stress, the cat will climb there, feeling safe. This means there will be less stress when he has a shelter.
• Games are more important than toys. To make a kitten affectionate, it is not enough to buy him bright springs and glowing balls. You need to play with him, have fun, and involve all household members in playful contact with the baby. By playing together, you begin to understand each other, and that very possible closeness between man and animal is formed.
• Taboo is your hands or feet as a toy. As soon as you start tapping your fingers or twitching your leg, the cat turns on the hunter and attacks. Prepare for constant scratches. In this sense, you cannot evoke a wild animal in a cat. But if in the heat of the game the cat does attack you, do not pull your hand out. Freeze, look at the naughty boy without any smile, you can even hiss - he will let go of his hand himself. And probably won't attack again.

Is it possible to tame an adult cat to a new owner?

A cat tolerates a change of owner more easily than a dog. The exception is socially oriented breeds, for example, Oriental Siamese. They will gradually become affectionate with their new owners, but the first one is the only one for life.

The best way to train, even for a sexually mature individual, is not food, but play. First, an adult cat must get used to the territory. It is better to leave your pet to explore its new home on its own, and after a while offer some food from your hands. Just like a treat. At the same time, do not forget to talk measuredly, but not to stroke.

As soon as the cat gets used to it a little, you can:

• lightly scratch a chair or furniture - so that the cat reacts to the sound near the owner;
• roll a ball or ball of wool near you, inviting you to play;
• “drive” a candy wrapper.

The cat quickly joins the game. After a while, you should again give a piece of food from your hand and praise it.

Some training methods

If you are not one of those lucky people whose cats love to sit or even sleep in your arms, and you really want your pet to be “tame,” then you need to know that there are different ways to help tame this wild miracle:

• All cats love to eat tasty food, and it is better for a well-fed, dozing kitten to allow itself to be taken on your lap.
• An affectionate monotonous conversation with a pet encourages mutual communication. He, listening to the owner’s gentle speeches, will begin to squint and squint. In this state of mind, the pet will jump into the owner's arms.
• Animal psychology claims that a cat should get used to being handled gradually, in several stages. First you just need to pet her behind the ear, all cats adore this. Once the pet is near your palms, you do not need to grab it and hold it by force.
• You can act with the help of treats. At first, you can feed the kitten by hand, then put the yummy food on your lap. He will certainly jump after her. At the stage when your pet, having jumped up for a tasty treat, is in no hurry to jump back, but calmly eats it, you can try stroking it with your other hand. You shouldn’t hold him back by jumping on your lap over and over again; he will get used to it; giving him a treat will help instill in his master’s hands how to receive pleasure.
• If your cat is afraid of heights and weightlessness, then look at how correctly you are holding it and whether it is experiencing a feeling of pain. When lifting a kitten, you cannot hold it by the withers or by the body near the ribs. You need to hold the armpits of the front paws with one hand, and place the other under the hind paws. This way he won't feel like he's floating in the air.
• If the kitten is terribly afraid of heights, then first you can pick him up while sitting on your knees.
• Often the rapprochement between the owner and the cat occurs during play. At first, you can play with a bow or wrapper on the floor, gradually bringing the toy closer to your lap. As soon as the pet is in your arms, you need to let go of the toy and leave it under the full control of the animal. While he is enjoying the caught prey, he himself, without realizing it, is in his arms and at an unconscious level there is a period of adaptation.
• Some owners carry very small kittens in the pockets of terry dressing gowns; they sit there like kangaroos and get used to the owner’s smell. In the meantime, he will perceive the robe as his property, and the owner's smell will always be associated with the sweet period of childhood.
• As a last resort, pet stores have cat sprays with a high content of pheromones, which attract pets like a magnet. If you spray your palms with this miraculous method, the cat itself will reach out to you. You should not use this product often, because, against the background of pheromones, it will become addictive and then another problem will arise: how to wean your pet off cat spray. Catnip can be substituted for cat spray.

How to catch a wild kitten that is afraid of people

Although caring for a cat takes less effort than caring for a dog, adopting an outdoor cat is a big responsibility. It’s a pity for the little lump, scared and frozen, squeaking near the trash can or the entrance door. He will not scratch or bite if you put the kitten in your palm, stroke it, and mutter a few gentle soothing words. The warmth of human hands for a baby is a guarantee of food and safety.

Please note that we are talking only about feral and street cats, whose ancestors have always lived with humans. The real wild cats, which can only be tamed by Yuri Kuklachev and the Zapashny brothers, are:

• Jungle Cat (House);
• European forest cat;
• Amur (Far Eastern) cat - inherits aggression towards humans and fear.

For an outdoor wild cat or kitten from the street, a visit to the veterinarian is mandatory, as it can be a carrier of viruses and infections that are dangerous to the health of humans or other animals in the house.

The newborn was probably thrown out by people: no hand was raised to drown or poison. Opening her eyes, the baby captured the person as a relative. Therefore, he does not experience aggression towards people. It’s easy to domesticate this one: it will get used to its new home and fall in love with its new owner in an evening.

Imprinting (instant early memory) of kittens that were born and lived in an attic or basement for a couple of months does not apply to humans. Stray cat cubs can remain feral for life.

The little “animals” run away, and when you try to pick them up, they bite. To catch a wild cat, use primitive traps:

• large box;
• baby bath;
• a rabbit cage without a bottom;
• regular carry...

They put food on the ground and cover it, for example, with a box.

Important. Consider the size of the animal. A heavy container falling on its back can injure the cat.

All that remains is to lift it and place one side on a support with a rope. As soon as the animal approaches the food, the stick is pulled out.

A more complex option: a cage with a lowered door (kotolovka). Triangular-shaped nets with a long handle and noose loops are also used.

To catch a domestic yard kitten, it is enough to regularly feed it by hand and talk to it. In a couple of days the baby will come running when called and allow himself to be petted.

When thinking about how to tame a cat, a person forgets: the cat chooses the owner. It was the cat who first began to meow, demanding food and attention, rubbing against her legs, showing affection. Once in the apartment, the animal adapts to the rhythm of the owner, giving him special, cat-like care.

The cat interferes with sleep at night - what to do?

So, having dealt with the popular reasons for cat nocturnal rampages, we move on to our original question: how to make a cat sleep at night? The answer to this question, in fact, is obvious - everything that the cat wants to get from you at night must be given to it during the day (well, or in the evening, in the end), and in excess.

Caress and play

Therefore, when you come home from work, pet the cat, let him sit on your shoulder or next to you on the table while you cook, and watch any of your actions.

Talk to him constantly. You can use this time to brush your cat. Be sure to play - at least chase the cat with a simple laser pointer.

Keep your cat busy with a toy

If you own a tablet, you should try cat video games. Yes, there are some. Either a mouse or some kind of spider bug is crawling across the tablet screen, which the cat is trying to catch. As soon as the cat's paw hits the object exactly, it disappears and the level is completed. At the next level, for example, there will be two spiders crawling around. And don’t laugh, many cats really like it.

Provide your cat with a tree of different heights, or a set of beds, secluded places and scratching posts. Perhaps your cat’s interest will be aroused by the hanging “mice” and “birds”, which often hang from these complexes on long elastic bands. The author’s cat, however, did not appreciate such a mouse, but the dog enjoyed pulling it back and shooting it like a slingshot.

Look for toys of this type in the pet store: you put a little dry food or treats inside, but in order for the food to spill out, the cat will have to roll and toss the toy for a while.

A cat may also like a toy with a hole for its paw and small objects inside that cannot be pulled out. Everything that moves on its own, is programmed by a timer, beeps and flashes colored lights, everything that is difficult to break and catch can be useful to you.

These include hanging toys, toys with springs, and stand-up toys. The cat should have many different toys, and they should be changed from time to time so that the cat does not lose interest in them. The most important thing is to check that they are safe for your pet.

Think about a playmate

It’s not bad if children play with the cat properly during the day - after getting mad, they will all sleep much better later. Or, if this is acceptable for your animal, get him a companion. Then they will entertain each other throughout the day, and they will have no time to sleep.

It is advisable that by the time you go to bed, the cat is very tired from playing and communicating with you, then you have a chance that he will not bother you at night. But if this still doesn’t happen, then just leave him a few “quiet”, non-clattering toys - and let him have fun to his health.

If you don't want your cat to come into your bedroom, then the only option is to never let him in. Then this territory will be foreign on his map, and the inability to patrol the room at night will not cause a loud and indignant protest.

How to tame a wild cat or kitten into your hands

When taming an animal, not only desire and perseverance are important, but also knowledge of small tricks that will help the pet quickly get used to its new owner. This process should take place in a calm environment, without sudden movements or loud sounds. To pick up a kitten, you need to act slowly and not hold the animal against its will. Gradually, the kitten will learn to trust and go to the owner himself. To tame an adult animal, a different approach is needed.

It is easier to tame a kitten from early childhood. The first need for communication arises in him already at two weeks of age. From this moment on, the owner should take the pet in his arms as often as possible so that he gets used to and learns to trust the person. This must be done carefully and the baby must be released at his first request. Under no circumstances should you hold a kitten, otherwise it can become a traumatic experience for him and will remain in his memory for a long time . It is very difficult to restore the animal's trust later.

Sometimes kittens do not want to sit in your arms for no apparent reason. In this case, the owner should be patient and remind himself that the animals are extremely curious, the world around them seems endlessly interesting to them. In addition, like human children, kittens are restless and get bored staying in one place for a long time.

It is worth making sure that the pet is comfortable being in human hands. By abruptly lifting or holding the kitten incorrectly, causing him discomfort, the owner can unknowingly scare away the baby.

Features of training purebred cats

To tame a purebred cat, you need to gain its trust. To this end, you need to create a clear daily routine: hours of feeding, games, rest. Consistency will help the pet get used to the person.

Experts recommend taming a purebred kitten by sleeping together. You can replace sleep by relaxing on the couch

It is important to try to establish physical contact between the animal and the owner. With active cats, this can be achieved through play.

The way to tame a Bengal cat is to play active games with it three times a day. During the game, a person should praise his pet and treat him with treats.

To establish interpersonal contact with an animal, you can teach it to walk outside on a leash. In an unfamiliar place, the pet's behavior will be aimed at obtaining protection from the owner. Getting used to street walks, the animal will understand that its owner is a source of security. This way, a purebred cat will develop trust in a person.

First contacts

When you take a pet into your home, the first step is to carry out several important procedures. This is a visit to the vet and a wash. The specialist will check for discharge from the nose and eyes, examine the fur and skin, take tests, and determine the approximate age of the kitten. In addition, the doctor will give advice on vaccinations, care, feeding and treatment (if it turns out that it is necessary).

After visiting the veterinary clinic, the new resident must be washed off the accumulated street dirt. But this can only be done if there are no medical contraindications. For example, with some skin diseases, cats cannot be washed until they are completely cured.

Water treatments

For washing, it is better to use a special anti-parasite shampoo. The owner should be prepared for the fact that the kitten will react negatively to the process, will break free, and use its claws and teeth.

Before starting taming, the animal must be given time to come to its senses and calm down a little. Most likely, as soon as he is released, he will hide in the darkest and safest (in his opinion) corner. This could be a box, under a closet or under a bathtub. Let the baby sit there. There is no need to touch it or try to pull it out. There should be no bright light or loud sounds in the room.

From time to time you can come up and talk to the kitten. The words must be pronounced quietly, affectionately. You should not catch the animal’s gaze; if you look directly into its eyes, it will perceive it as a threat.

Perhaps after a while the kitten will come out of hiding and begin to slowly walk around the room, sniffing and looking around. If not, it's time to take action.

After sitting in the shelter for several hours, the animal will get hungry. This must be used to try to lure him out. Not far from the place where the kitten hid, bowls with food and water are placed. At first, it is better to choose soft and aromatic food.

Taming methods

Time and hunger are the most faithful helpers on the path to taming a wild cat. First, the animal must be isolated by placing it in a cage or carrier. It is better to place the cage in a separate room or cover it with a rag, creating the illusion of loneliness for the animal and depriving it of all kinds of entertainment, even the opportunity to observe the situation. There should be no food or toys in the cage, only a bowl of water and a tray.

After your pet has been sitting in the cage for several hours, you need to go up and hand him a piece of tasty food in your palm. This could be some soft food or a small piece of chicken. If the kitten hisses, tries to hit with its paw, backs away, immediately remove your hand and walk away. Try again after a couple of hours. If the result is the same, leave the animal for a few more hours. Sooner or later, hunger will force the cat to come up and take the treat from your hand. Once this has happened, you can consider that half the job is done.

Now the main thing is patience and systematicity. It is necessary to approach the kitten more and more often with small pieces of food, each time giving it food from your hands. If he refuses, immediately leave, taking the treat with him. This way your pet will quickly get used to eating from your hands.

At the same time, you need to start raising your pet. With the cage door slightly open, place your hand close to him (without touching him). Ignore the hissing, but if he tries to attack, then lightly fight back. When the kitten stops objecting and calmly accepts the owner’s hand in close proximity to itself, reward it with a treat.

Frightening look

When the baby is already eating from his hands, it's time for the next step. Holding the food in your palm, you should try to pet the kitten before giving it the food. To his objections, the owner’s reaction is the same - to leave and take away the delicacy. After several approaches, the animal will understand that stroking is pleasant, safe and will accept it with pleasure.

Reasons why a cat doesn't like to be held

Animal psychologists say that there are some good reasons why cats do not like to sit in their owner's arms. Let's look at some of them:

• Firstly, it is difficult to sit a kitten in your arms that has lived on the street for a long time. If no one has ever held him in their arms before, he will sincerely not understand why he needs to sit on his master’s lap. Well, they fed me, gave me something to drink, but why these incomprehensible hugs?
• The cat does not like to be without balance, in weightlessness, this is exactly how the pet perceives this situation when it is at the height of human height.
• There are cats that are afraid of heights.
• Bad memories do not allow the kitten to relax and calmly sit on its owner’s lap. If the animal is a street animal or from a family where it was not treated particularly well, or, on the contrary, was abused, then it will be difficult for it to adapt to a new relationship. The cat's memory has a completely different picture of what can be expected from human hands.
• The pungent odor emanating from the owner may not allow the cat to sit in his arms. As you know, cats have a highly developed sense of smell; their delicate nose perceives even the most insignificant odors. Those odors that come from the owner's hands can be pungent and extremely unpleasant for him. It could be the smell of washing powder, detergent, hand cream, or your favorite French perfume.
• There are also some especially freedom-loving breeds that do not tolerate “calf” tenderness, an abundance of communication and the master’s hands. They prefer solitude. These cats are good for busy business people who are rarely at home. These are breeds such as the British, Scottish Fold.

How long will it take?

The timing of taming depends very much on the age of the animal, as well as on how long it has lived on the street and whether it has ever lived among people. A small kitten can make contact within a day. But an adult animal that has lived on the street for a long time can take a week or several months to get used to it. In addition, adult pets, even after a long stay at home, often retain fear of other people or the habit of hiding at the slightest noise. Sometimes it is not possible to get rid of these features, despite all the efforts of the owners.

How to accustom a kitten to being held?

The classic idea of ​​a domestic cat is a warm furry ball curled up in your arms, purring in different tones. But some pets are too independent, not very affectionate and do not strive for intimacy with humans. And then the owner is faced with the question of how to accustom the cat to handling.

There are several methods to help overcome fear or reluctance to handle.

• After a hearty meal, the pet is relaxed and sleepy. You can pick up a dozing kitten and gently cuddle it to keep it warm and cozy. After a short time, the baby will begin to climb up to the owner on his own.
• Treats will help lure the kitten onto the person's lap. While he is eating, you need to gently stroke him and scratch him behind the ear. Gradually, the pet will understand that sitting in your arms is pleasant.
• While playing, you need to pull the toy onto your lap from time to time. When the kitten jumps after you, you need to pet him. Over time, he will get used to close contact with a person and will strive for it himself.

Games bring people closer together

• Perhaps the cat is simply afraid of heights due to the fact that he was picked up incorrectly. In order for the baby to feel comfortable, one hand is placed under his front paws, and the other is placed under his hind paws. You shouldn't hold the kitten up; it's better to lightly hold it close to you.

When using one method or another, you need to carefully monitor your pet, and the right path to training will definitely be found.

Causes of aggression in cats

When getting a cat, many people think that when they come home, their beloved pet immediately runs and sits in the arms of its owner. He begins to purr affectionately and waits to be petted. But sometimes there are cases when an animal simply hates it when people start playing with it. Cats become very aggressive and uncontrollable. The reason for this behavior may be the smell of the owner, as well as the poor health of the pet. They may not be able to be handled and begin to bite and scratch heavily.

Cats are independent and freedom-loving animals by nature, who adore affection, and spend time with their owner with great pleasure. But sometimes a pet can be in an aggressive state, they begin to bite hard, and can show their claws. The reason for this behavior may be the poor health of the animal itself. Sometimes the kitten is still small, it is difficult for him to sit in one place, he wants to run around the house, and when you start to forbid him to do something, to pick him up, this leads to strong aggression.