How to Catch a Wild Kitten

Living on the ranch can sometimes provide challenging opportunities to help pets. For some strange reason, people love to dump animals out in the middle of nowhere. This makes the animal distrust humans. Cats are especially distrustful after losing their homes. Helping a feral cat or catching wild kittens can be extremely challenging and even dangerous.

A mother cat will hide her litter of kittens. Feral cats are extremely shy to begin with and are excellent at finding hiding places for their offspring. Sometimes, you will not even know the litter exists until the kittens are several weeks old and catch site of them playing near their nest. Occasionally, the mother cat may simply vanish and a litter of very young feral kittens is left to fend for themselves. Human intervention is necessary to help the kittens survive.

Prepare for catching a wild kitten:

Before attempting to catch a wild kitten, you need to have a place for the kitten to reside once you do catch it. The kitten's temporary cage should be where the kitten can see you as you go about your day. It needs to be roomy enough for a litter box, food and water dishes, and a small towel for the kitten to sleep on. The wild kitten will need to stay in the cage for a few days until it adjust to being around people. Be sure the food and water dishes are easy for you to reach while the feral kitten is adjusting to you.

Baiting the trap to catch a wild kitten:

Food is the best bait for catching wild kittens. A can of cat food will entice even the most shyest of kittens out into the open. When working with very young kittens, about five weeks old, you can set a bowl of canned cat food on the ground and the kitten may not notice that you are nearby. It takes patience to wait for the kitten's hunger to overcome their instincts. So be prepared to wait while the kitten scopes out the situation.

Catching the wild kitten:

Even very young kittens have razor sharp claws and teeth. Wear heavy gloves to protect yourself from their instinctive attempt to get away. Catch with wild kitten by the loose skin just behind the head. A kitten will curl up as this is how the mother cat carries her young. Carefully carry your wild kitten to its temporary cage. Talk to the kitten softly to try to help it calm down. Release the wild kitten into the cage and carefully close and secure the door.

Taming the wild kitten:

During the first day, the kitten will probably hiss and growl any time someone gets near its cage. Try to leave the kitten as quiet as possible. When you do happen to pass by the cage, talk softly to the kitten. Be sure the wild kitten has plenty of fresh water. You can also feed it milk and canned cat food. Try to get the kitten on a schedule so that you will feed it in the morning and at night. Milk for midday snack is excellent for very young kittens.

Watch your wild kitten for signs that it is adjusting to humans. Signs include the kitten going to the door instead of backing into the corner when you approach. The kitten's ears will flicker forward when you talk to it rather than lying back against the kitten's head. By letting the kitten know you are respecting its space and providing for its needs, the wild kitten will soon tame down.

During the first week, do not let the kitten out to wander from its cage. If the kitten seems to be taming down, try offer it your hand to smell. Be sure to wear leather gloves and back off if the kitten hisses or growls defensively. Give the kitten some space and try again the following day. If the kitten is inquisitive and cautious, gently pet the kitten a few strokes before backing off.

Winning the wild kitten's heart:

When the kitten is warm and welcoming when you approach the cage, you can let the kitten out to eat. Be sure to talk softly to the kitten and encourage it to be friendly. You know you have won the wild kitten's heart when it approaches you and the growls turn to purrs of delight.