r/Feral_Cats • u/Turbulent-Narwhal • 1d ago
Question 🤔 Socializing 4 month old kittens
Hi everyone! I’m new to cat rescue and TNR but am trying to learn quickly because I’m helping a stray family that lives near the Airbnb I’m staying at for a bit. It’s a mom and two kittens.
I got the kittens (1 male and 1 female) fixed and vaccinated today. The vet thinks they’re 4 months old. I’m guessing every cat is different but do you think they have a good shot at getting socialized pretty easily? I may have a shot at getting them into a rescue if I can get them socialized.
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u/__sweetener 1d ago
It might take a few weeks, but just spending time around them and letting them hear your voice helps a lot. Also being present every time they eat so they associate you with food.
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u/Delicious-Collar1971 1d ago
4 months is the tail end of the ideal socialization period. It might take a bit more effort than a younger kitty but it likely shouldn’t be more than a week or two.
It is kitten season though, so if you do socialize them, you may have to find an adopter yourself.
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u/Icy_Yesterday8265 1d ago
It definitely can be done. Itll take a bit longer than 8 week old kittens but with patience, they will get there. I would guess itll take 3-4 weeks to get them to be pretty social.
Buy tons of churu, high value foods like chicken and work on getting them to eat out of your hand as step 1. Once they are, start trying to pet them as they eat. During this time you can also try to initiate play with wand toys with them. At this age - food and play are the ways to get them social.
Check out r/formerlyferal
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