Put 'em on and hold him with love and kindness. Gently speak to him. He'll come around eventually...
More here:
https://www.communityconcernforcats.org/resources/taming-feral-kittens/

Him, gently stroke his forehead front to back, sort of mimicking its mother licking the top of his head, that seems to help them calm down and with bonding.

Once he seems comfortable eating in your presence, start talking to him. Don't try to touch him, just keep your distance and spend time talking to him whenever you bring food. He will start to associate you with food and safety and at some point you could try offering him food from your finger. He's pretty young so he should warm up fairly soon but don't rush him. There is a lot of info on socializing kittens online but the main point is to go slow and don't push him. Also, we need photos.

as a gift. Am learning that I'm severely digitally undereducated. The phone is very daunting. Am lucky to successfully answer phone calls at this point.

most of my foundlings have been stray (wandered away with, or without, momma kitty. They're already sweet and less afraid of people. But this little guy (I've named him "Oliver" after Oliver Twist because he's something of an orphan) is dead set against human contact. Have been quiet with him -- just food and water -- and he's eating more than drinking, so I've added a bit more water to the Fancy Feast Pate (which the farm family started him on).

1) cover crate so he doesn't feel exposed . He Will associate when he's ready ... 2) put yourself in his place. Scared. Confused. Disoriented. Everything with these guys must be SLOW and QUIET. Most important...make sure he can hide. That crate will b his safety zone so make it his. 3) sit quietly next to crate but don't force yourself on him. 4) peacock feathers are a great way to introduce soft comfortable play. Keep us posted. I worked over 3 decades with animals of all species ... I know of what I speak

family (had six cats at one point) -- dealing with a feral is a bit beyond my skill set.

resists any handling. Have stroked his face, especially along the cheeks and all over his tiny body (he's smaller than a full-grown rat) -- weighs less than 14 ounces.

... but it takes time to gain his trust. Once he realizes you're his friend and protector, he'll be loyal for life. Good luck!

and he’s looking back at you

Blink really slowly … it is a thing that calms them

If you just seem to be staring at them, they think that you may be aggressive

hope from that Thanks for the reminder.

I was feeding a stray feral cat put food out for her and stepped back. She stayed far away. Little by little she got closer to me. One day she rubbed up to my legs. Now she's my loving friendly girl who loves hugs and cuddles. Time and patience works. I always talked to her very softly too. 💙🐾🐾💙

one day -- so maybe I'm being a bit impatient.

Last edited Tue May 12, 2026, 01:13 PM - Edit history (1)

...so he can lick it from the tube. He'd have to come closer to you but not be touched by you, so that could be a way to get him to come nearer but not too near until he feels more comfortable.

I know we will all be eagerly awaiting progress reports.

Does he have a name yet? And until your camera skills develop, tell us what color he is, please.

had all types and colors (even a lilac Siamese). Began to be protective of black cats because they are sometimes subjected to cruelty at the hands of idiots out there...especially at Halloween. He does have a "bowtie" of white at the front of his neck and a stripe of white on his cute little, teensy belly.

...eyes, and sister Charlotte is a very, very dark seal point with almost turquoise eyes. If they'd been painted by impressionist artists, he'd be a Monet and she'd be a Van Gogh. Their mother is a tortoise shell, so they look nothing like her at all.

They are applehead Siamese, so nice round heads, not the exaggerated pointy/triangular look.

They were 12-14 weeks old when I got them, technically outside the window of socializing. I found homes for 2 and kept 2 foster fails. They're all really social and affectionate, but it was difficult.

Chicken baby food is a secret weapon. Put some on a spoon and hold it away from your body. Once your kitten will eat that, gradually bring it closer to your body, until it's willing to climb in your lap. Take your time and sit quietly, maybe even avoiding eye contact in the beginning.

Good luck! At 6 weeks old your kitten should be able to learn to love people.

learned to be quiet with all animals I'm around. Raised two horses to dressage level, which required extreme gentle quietness. It took me years, but nothing teaches like a success or two.

Also agree with the eye contact point you made. We don't realize how eye contact can mean friend or foe. I know that's the case with horses. Also, with horses, a gentle blow in the nostrils can signal friendship (horses greet each other with a gentle nose blow).

Patience. And, keep your voice pitched low and gentle. Cats' hearing is acute.

He needs normalcy in the home. I have met, courted, and had wonderful feral (ex-feral?) friends for decades. Let him explore and understand that there are comfortable places to sleep, good things to eat, and these weird big predators who mean him no harm. Oh, they provide the good things to eat? That’s cool… maybe. Give him things to do, like play with a feather on a string. That can be too irresistible and urge, and suddenly they are playing around the big predator… but the fun thing only happens when the big predator is around… huh.

Feral kittens must be courted. They come around. One that young will come around quickly if rapidly integrated into family life. Give them stuff they like, with sniffing of the fingers. Then with a little pet.

You may well have a snuggler in just a week or two.

rug. He has his water, toys, and his open crate is there with a soft blanket in case he wants to go into it. I'm feeding him there, too. Judging from his origins -- he likes hidey holes, so I figured his crate might afford him a private place to sleep.

though the space at the bottom of the closed door with cat toys. Then with your fingers. For a few days. He will be dying to get out to full on play. That is what I did to acclimatize two cats with each other. Maybe that will work.

Lived under my couch for a little over 3 months! I have other cats though, so she was scared of them.
I put books under the couch legs to make the couch higher and slid a litter box under the couch for her. Put her food and water on a tray and slid it under the couch, kind of like a prison!
She always sits on my lap now and is sweet as can be.