It sounds like you are new to cats and kittens. So here are a few pointers.

The kittens are terrified. They are as scared as can be after being separated from their mama and siblings and their home. But don't worry, after a week or so they will settle down. Agree with the suggestion to place them in a quiet room for the next week with a soft bed, food, water, litter box, and some little balls to play with. Visit with them before and after work, and keep your treatment of them very tender and gentle. When they begin welcoming your visits you'll know they are getting used to you.

Do not have them declawed. That is the equivalent of cutting off the first joint of YOUR fingers. How would you like that? Not at all, right? It's barbaric, so don't do it.

I would suggest taking them to the vet and having them show you how to trim their tiny but sharp nails. Then trim their nails once a month. As long as you're gentle when you trim them appropriately, they will grow to be nonchalant about this monthly task, and it will be a 2-minute job.

Kittens are more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Oh, wait, they're like little monkeys. Never fear, they will eventually settle down. In my experience, it takes at least a year for them to settle down.

You may want to ask your vet to suggest a good guide book for raising a kitty. Take the time to read it, and it will help you with this transition period for all involved.

Anonymous wrote:They are getting used to a brand new environment. Be patient.

I agree that you should play with them - try a variety of cat toys. It also helps to give them a little canned kitty food or a treat when you are spending time with them. Try petting them but don't force it. Soon they'll start to associate you with treats, playtime and affection.

I am a kitten foster. This is good advice. The only thing I would add would be to initially keep them in a small room where they won't be overwhelmed by their surroundings. Also, make sure they have a place to hide, my kittens love their cat carriers lined with a fleece blanket.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where'd you get them? Were they socialized and handled by humans from a younger age (at least by 5ish weeks)? Were they from the same litter or a bonded pair? Sometimes that makes them less likely to bond to humans.

Kittens are crazy for sure and probably only cuddly when sleepy. I'm sure they will warm up to everyone! But please please don't get them declawed. It's so cruel, painful, damages their paws, and if they were ever to escape outside they'd have no way to protect themselves.

There is no such thing as a socialized kitten. They are crazy balls of needles for the first several months.

What? Certainly you aren't implying there's no difference in behavior between an 8-10 week old kitten who has had little interaction with a human (maybe from a rescue or pet store) and one that has been handled from a few weeks old or even sooner...? Socialized doesn't mean well-behaved and genteel, it just means they are uncomfortable with or fearful of humans and their environment.

Meant to say NOT uncomfortable with humans

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where'd you get them? Were they socialized and handled by humans from a younger age (at least by 5ish weeks)? Were they from the same litter or a bonded pair? Sometimes that makes them less likely to bond to humans.

Kittens are crazy for sure and probably only cuddly when sleepy. I'm sure they will warm up to everyone! But please please don't get them declawed. It's so cruel, painful, damages their paws, and if they were ever to escape outside they'd have no way to protect themselves.

There is no such thing as a socialized kitten. They are crazy balls of needles for the first several months.

What? Certainly you aren't implying there's no difference in behavior between an 8-10 week old kitten who has had little interaction with a human (maybe from a rescue or pet store) and one that has been handled from a few weeks old or even sooner...? Socialized doesn't mean well-behaved and genteel, it just means they are uncomfortable with or fearful of humans and their environment.

It will take a week or two for them to adjust and stop being so skittish. You can trim the claws with nail scissors just be careful not to cut too much. Look for the pink area in the nail and avoid cutting close to that, trim the curved end so that the nail is blunted so that they will not scratch you. You can also have a groomer put nail caps on. Declawing is a the option of last resort and really shouldn't be considered until all other options are exhausted. There can be some pretty serious issues from the declawing procedure. Also, buy a laser pointer, they will chase the red dot and you can tire them out, its fun to watch.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where'd you get them? Were they socialized and handled by humans from a younger age (at least by 5ish weeks)? Were they from the same litter or a bonded pair? Sometimes that makes them less likely to bond to humans.

Kittens are crazy for sure and probably only cuddly when sleepy. I'm sure they will warm up to everyone! But please please don't get them declawed. It's so cruel, painful, damages their paws, and if they were ever to escape outside they'd have no way to protect themselves.

There is no such thing as a socialized kitten. They are crazy balls of needles for the first several months.

Ours were cuddly love babies from virtually when they started walking -they were born here.
Yes Gary we're crazy insane for about a year but they followed me literally everywhere (including the bathroom) and slept in a big kitty pile on top of me (when they weren't taking wild kingdom attack each other nonstop breaks).
These kittens are probably just scared to have been separated from the others (they are pack animals for about a year) and from their home.

They are getting used to a brand new environment. Be patient.

I agree that you should play with them - try a variety of cat toys. It also helps to give them a little canned kitty food or a treat when you are spending time with them. Try petting them but don't force it. Soon they'll start to associate you with treats, playtime and affection.

They will mostly play with each other, but you can try playing with them to tire them out and to get them used to you. Try a laser pointer (you point it at the floor and they chase it) or one of those toys that's basically a stick with a string or fleece tail, sometimes with a toy at the end of it. Or go to your neighborhood pet supply store and see what they recommend.

Agree: do NOT declaw. It is barbaric.

Anonymous wrote:Just got two kittens and I am worrying that I made a mistake. They are so scared of everything and not cuddly at all. When will they calm down? Should I have them declawed? I've already gotten a couple of bad scratches. And advice appreciated.

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Do you have them in a small room with litter, ,food and water? When we got our kittens that is what we did and then we visited them so they got used to us. It took about a week. I would put them up so they get used to that. Do not declaw them as others have pointed out. You will make the situation worse and it is very inhumane. It does get easier and it helps that you got two so they can keep each other company.

Anonymous wrote:Where'd you get them? Were they socialized and handled by humans from a younger age (at least by 5ish weeks)? Were they from the same litter or a bonded pair? Sometimes that makes them less likely to bond to humans.

Kittens are crazy for sure and probably only cuddly when sleepy. I'm sure they will warm up to everyone! But please please don't get them declawed. It's so cruel, painful, damages their paws, and if they were ever to escape outside they'd have no way to protect themselves.

There is no such thing as a socialized kitten. They are crazy balls of needles for the first several months.

Where'd you get them? Were they socialized and handled by humans from a younger age (at least by 5ish weeks)? Were they from the same litter or a bonded pair? Sometimes that makes them less likely to bond to humans.

Kittens are crazy for sure and probably only cuddly when sleepy. I'm sure they will warm up to everyone! But please please don't get them declawed. It's so cruel, painful, damages their paws, and if they were ever to escape outside they'd have no way to protect themselves.

Anonymous wrote:Please do not get them declawed. They are just scared and they will adapt. As far as calming down, well they're kittens, and kittens are nuts but so fun! Don't handle them so much for a few days. They just need a little time to come out of their shell.

+1. Once they get used to their surroundings, people coming and going, etc, they will be so fun. You won't know how you got along without them.

Declawing is very cruel, please don't do that. A lot of adoption agencies won't adopt to people who declaw.

Don't take this the wrong way, but kittens are insane and kind of stupid. They will mature and become much more friendly, but it will take many months. Give them time. Make sure they have a fun safe corner with plenty of hidey holes, scratch spots and toys.

Please do not get them declawed. They are just scared and they will adapt. As far as calming down, well they're kittens, and kittens are nuts but so fun! Don't handle them so much for a few days. They just need a little time to come out of their shell.

Just got two kittens and I am worrying that I made a mistake. They are so scared of everything and not cuddly at all. When will they calm down? Should I have them declawed? I've already gotten a couple of bad scratches. And advice appreciated.