File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Hey /an/. Recently a stray had kittens in our back yard and my mother caught them and brought them in to get them used to humans (for better chance at being adopted) and to spay them. They are using the litter box and are able to eat on their own, but they don't seem to be cleaning themselves. I don't know how old they are. Kittens in the picture aren't them but the kittens my mother caught seem younger.

What should we do?
>> Anonymous
show them how by example. duh
>> Anonymous
your mother has disrupted the cycle of life, she must be destroyed! or at least sent to /b/
>> Anonymous
Here's a couple methods I've found on teaching a kitten to clean itself.

"So you will also have to clean it like its mother. The best thing for cleaning the kitten is good textured wash cloth-like terrycloth. This is because it stimulates the mother’s tongue. Wet the cloth with warm water and wash the kitten’s face by moving across the eyes and nose area. Then wash the genital area to stimulate the working of the bladder. In the following weeks, you can then teach the kitten to clean itself after bowel movement. "

"The best way to get a kitten (not trained by mom) to clean it's bottom, is to do it yourself. But in the process, you want her to learn to do it. I purchased the tiny baby wash clothes (for human babies) at the dollar store. They are smaller than the higher priced ones in the department stores. Anyway, wet it in warm water and rub the kitten from center of belly to butt, when you clean. Don't be surprised if kitten urinates a little bit. This is how their mom makes them go potty and also, how she teaches them to be clean. It is very important to start now with the cleaning. If not cleaning becomes a habit, she may never do it."
>> Anonymous
>>96485
Thanks a lot. That helps.

Another problem we've been having is that they're very scared of us. We have done no harm to them but they hiss and spit at us whenever we are near. Is there anything we can do to help get them used to us?
>> Anonymous
>>96523
lots of patience, they probably see you as having taken them from their mom
>> Anonymous
>>96526
Guessed as much. We are in the process of catching her too, though. It's just not as easy.
>> Anonymous
>>96523
Not 96485. They'll calm down eventually, although some of them may never "warm up" to humans. It's nice you are looking after them like this.
The only way is to spend as much time with them as possible, keep them in a corner of your room where they can see and hear you all day. Give them small cat toys, give them grass and try to play with them in a way that does not threaten them. Start very slowly with the games and make sure you never upset them, it -could- take weeks before you see any great progress.
>> Anonymous
>>96527
you could try using one of her kittens as bait, put a kitten in a harness and leash and leave it in the backyard to mew it's head off, when the mom comes spring the trap
>> Anonymous
>>96523

Shut them in a small room and stay there for a while - until they learn to become calm in your presence. Repeat every day (or more often) until they become used to you. Definatly bring some treats or toys in with you, too.
>> Holly
Hold them against your abdomen, one hand supporting their rump, the other allowing their paws to rest over yours. Usually in this position, kittens like to lick YOU, so when they try to, shift their paws under their tongue. Then, rub the paw against their snout. They figure it out with a couple tries of that after two days. My foster litter has.