tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024836838557228210.post2421971845675460670..comments2024-01-06T03:44:56.712-05:00Comments on Taming Feral Cats / Kittens: #19 Are Tortie kittens harder to tame?Feral Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04197929642483217940noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024836838557228210.post-16887947658636433562014-03-30T23:03:31.955-04:002014-03-30T23:03:31.955-04:00My kitten was doing so well after being in the bat...My kitten was doing so well after being in the bathroom for a week that I let her out. She was sleeping on my legs and very happy. It seems as though she has reverted a little. She hides under the couch most of the day and hisses even if I just look at her. She also terrified of my hands. She has a good bond with my older cat, but I'd kind of like her to bond with me. I now have her in a large cage with my hopes that if she can see me and be around me, she will get over her fear. She also has never scratched or bitten me. Is there anything else I can do to help her along? Thanks. :)loverofwisdom333https://www.blogger.com/profile/05891261348651787546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024836838557228210.post-85824914032359948372012-07-15T14:15:16.096-04:002012-07-15T14:15:16.096-04:00Absolutely! As they say, the acception makes the r...Absolutely! As they say, the acception makes the rule. I've come to conclude that Torties aren't antisocial, just very discerning who they want to grace with their affections. Best, MikeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024836838557228210.post-36445382035668794762012-07-15T12:08:06.026-04:002012-07-15T12:08:06.026-04:00Since the day I brought my tortie home 3 years ago...Since the day I brought my tortie home 3 years ago she has slept at the foot of my bed every night. She is constantly laying on me and licking me. When I leave for work she gets upset and my roommate has even taken pictures of her standing at the door, staring and waiting for me to come home. She is the most loving and affectionate cat I've ever met, I even joke that she's more like a dog than a cat. Torties are so unique and awesome, I think anyone who owns one will see how rewarding it is!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024836838557228210.post-26991593692289858662011-07-14T12:14:19.571-04:002011-07-14T12:14:19.571-04:00Hi mike, i have two cats and this is how i trained...Hi mike, i have two cats and this is how i trained both of them to be very sociable with the family. when they were both younger instead of holding them every time they would come up to me i would set them back down and very kindly push them away from me and the more i did this the more they wanted to be with me . it is said that cats, even farel one will come up more often to people who don't like them because they know that the person will not pick them up and hold them. so in using this info i was able to very successfully train them to be sociable around people .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024836838557228210.post-1646684500551414142010-10-31T16:52:31.185-04:002010-10-31T16:52:31.185-04:00Well said, Karen. I have 6 feral cats, all rescue...Well said, Karen. I have 6 feral cats, all rescued later than 12 weeks of age. It takes great patience to home a feral cat but it can be done. Each cat has their own unique personality and as such should be treated individually and not lumped into a category as seen many times by well meaning cat enthusiasts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7024836838557228210.post-33049904885279516372010-10-19T17:35:26.441-04:002010-10-19T17:35:26.441-04:00Hi Mike,
Here's the story of my Tortie. I hop...Hi Mike,<br /><br />Here's the story of my Tortie. I hope it helps your readers work through any speed bumps on the road of life with Torties and ferals or semi-ferals.<br /><br />Three years ago my fiance and I rescued a very pregnant, semi-feral Maine Coon kitten. We had only ten days to bond before she went into labor, but amazingly she let me help her through labor and all five of her kittens survived. Two of them are torties and one is calico. We adopted the mom and one tortie, and friends adopted the four other kittens. The two torties are highly independent, the calico a little less so, and the two tuxedo boys are very social if skittish.<br /><br />The tortie we adopted, named Hebe (pronounced Hay-bay), is a wonderful, sweet, feisty girl. Hand-raised from birth, she was VERY affectionate as a kitten, the first to investigate our other cats and the first to greet visitors. At around 4 months old she became less affectionate and started seeking spaces of her own. This behavior continued and increased after spaying and until about her third birthday. She is very healthy and continues to interact with her mom, but she growls when picked up or held or being pet more than once or twice.<br /><br />Or I should say, she USED to growl, because since her third birthday, she has become more and more affectionate, seeking us out, rubbing our legs, playing with the other cats, and talking to us almost nonstop! <br /><br />For two and a half years she exerted her independence in any way she could. Rather than force her to act a certain way, we allowed her the freedom to grow, like the budding teenager she was. We gave her her own space, putting her favorite bed and toys in our office where she could "get away from it all" when her fight/flight instincts were in high gear. At the same time, we steadily reassured her that she is loved and an important member of our cat family.<br /><br />Now that she's no longer a rebellious teenager, our efforts and encouragement have paid off. She runs to greet me when I come home, she lies on her back on her cat tower asking for belly rubs, and she sprawls across my desk purring up a storm as I work.<br /><br />I've socialized many feral and semi-feral cats, and can now add a tortie to the list. In every case, it is vitally important for adopters to remember that they are making a LIFETIME commitment, and that forming a bond is a fun, winding road that takes time, just as in all human relationships.<br /><br />All the best,<br />Karen H.Karen Hnoreply@blogger.com