how to tame a kitten

[twiggy08]

well theres some kittens at the place i volunteer and i have being asked to help tame the kittens so they can get use to human contact before they can go out to adoptees.well i was wondering what is the best way to tame them,is it to keep playin and stroking them or have i to start by feeding them first then by starting with the playing and stroking of them

[in/flux]

Doing it very gradually is the best way. I wouldn't start trying to stroke or play with them immediately. They need to feel safe around you before you start touching them and trying to interact more directly.

By being the one to feed them, they should start to get used to you being near them and come to be more comfortable when you're around. I'd keep your movements slow and calm so as not to frighten them by anything sudden. Once they seem comfortable with your presence, then I'd try to perhaps offer your hand out for them to smell and to come closer to, maybe offering them a kitten treat so they come to associate you with a good thing. Once you've got them coming up to you out of curiosity, that's when I'd try to stroke them gently a few times. Gradually build up the length of time that you give them affection for over a longer period (rather than trying to pick them up and give them long cuddles all in the same day for example... you need to do it slowly over a number of days). Little by little is best, because their confidence will grow in small steps.

I'd also make sure that the kittens are socialised with other humans too, to make sure that it's not just you who they come to trust. Obviously if they're going to be going to new homes it's important that they become used to having different people around. Maybe make sure that people going past the place where they're kept each day pay them a little attention? Just so they get used to seeing different faces.

By taking it slowly I think they'll come to love playing and receiving cuddles before too long. Volunteering at a place like that must be really rewarding, knowing that you're helping to find animals new homes. I hope they all find loving families to go to

[twiggy08]

yes it is very rewarding and my boss is very impressed with how good i am with the different animals and how the animals take to me very quickly,even a dog that hasn't let anyone else in the kennel with it won't leave me alone now and cries when i go.which makes me feel guilty that i can't have it but it can be rewarding but challenging.just wish people werent so cruel in the first place and throwing dogs/cats/any animals out.

[udontno]

I've tamed several kittens. Several years ago, we got a cat. We didn't spay her soon enough and she got pregnant. Well, we decided that we'd keep the offspring and spay/neuter all of them. I loved Kitty and she had her kittens in a basket by the backdoor. I bet that she would have six and she surely did. Anyway, we had to tame them. Being as they were so close to us all the time, it was not hard.

However, with other cats it has been difficult. My mother had PETA come to her work a couple of years ago to collect stray cats and take them away. We got a couple of half grown, basically wild kittens. Kevin is one of them that is still with us. He lets us touch him occasionally, we feed him, and he plays with the other cats. But will he get in your lap and cuddle with you? No.

I doubt the cats that you are working with are wild, so you are at a better advantage than most. I think that petting them, cuddling them, and just generally showing them attention will help tame that. Being in the room with people does them good, so they can get used to being around humans.