Semi Feral Kitten Or Not ? How To Tell ?

[smurfchops]

How can I tell if a young kitten is semi feral, can you tell immediately at say six to eight weeks. I wondered if it became semi feral as it grew up. Could it be like a normal kitten, being cuddled etc at six weeks or would it lash out ?

[jomifl]

Feral cats usually don't bury their faeces, but it isn't a reliable indicator.

[Sqad]

\\\\Could it be like a normal kitten, being cuddled etc at six weeks or would it lash out ?\\

I don't understand that.

Just because a kitten lashes out or not is not an indication of its feralimity ( I have just made up that word)

Give it affection, feed it, cuddle it and THEN it may respond to your love or not.

Being feral has nothing to do with it.

[Sammy48]

My cat I had for 18 years came from a feral mother cat. Even though he was loved and cared for he never lost spitting at us or growling now and again.

[Prudie]

I don't really understand either. I thought feral meant living wild without a human owner. Was it born in the wild? Whatever 6 - 8 weeks is young enough to become a humanised kitten.

[wolf63]

My two are feral born - but that isn't as important as the kittens interaction with humans.

Frankie is just a big sappy nine year old kitten. His sister is stupid, bossy, vicious and spiteful. Same litter and same mum.

If you meet the kitten you will get an idea about its nature. The reigning place should be able to guide you.

[smurfchops]

Kitten around eight weeks, female, cuddly, plays and runs around normally. Found running around in the traffic with her siblings and rescued. Don't know the background, just wondered if I would be able to tell if it was semi feral. Doesn't seem it .. Yet. Thats all I wanted to know folks.

[wolf63]

No there is no sure way. If it's okay with humans now and is friendly it sounds good.

[chanel5]

To be honest, you don't sound as if you know enough about cats to be responsible for caring for one. A cat just does not become feral as it grows up. "Feral" means being born as a wild animal and living as a wild animal. Many kittens and cats "lash out" whether they are feral or not. It takes a caring, responsible and knowledgeable owner to care for the cat properly so that it never needs to lash out. Finally, you can never predict the behaviour of a cat, whether it is feral or not. If you want something that is totally predictable, always cuddly and never shows a mind of its own, a stuffed teddy bear would be your answer.

[smurfchops]

Thanks for your comment chanel, I was only asking a question, you dont need to crucify me.

[tonyav]

smurf, just treat your kitten as you would any other kitten and see how it go's.

[chanel5]

Sorry smartphone, . That came across as a lot more aggressive than it was intended to be. I was actually trying to be funny about the teddy bear. Really sorry if you felt got at. I didn't mean to offend you. Hugs?

[chanel5]

Dear me. Now autocorrect won't let me type your username. It keeps changing it to smartphone, which sounds cheeky. Sorry.

[smurfchops]

No worries chanel apologies accepted, lifes too short. My last two cats were given nothing but love and food and they both lashed out. Often with blood down my arm or leg. However thank goodness a kitten found in a field has been given to me and she is just gorgeous and gentle.

[chanel5]

Thanks for not being cross. Good luck with your new furbaby.

[wolf63]

If your baby is still a tiny baby you will currently be 'enjoying' the delights of a cute little bundle of fur destroying your house. Have fun.

My two are well past that age.

:-)