kitten not affectionate

Question
Hi I have a new kitten. Even when I picked him out at the foster home I knew he would have not much connection to people. Well I can handle him fine and  hold him a little while before he runs again but I try to call him by name and kitty kitty ect even for breakfast and doesn't acknowledge me. I pick him up and try to look at him and he looks elswhere all the time. LIke he doesn't need me. Doesn't respond to my voice. He is 8 wks give or take. What can I do to turn this kitten around. thanks alot.

Answer
Hi Christy,

Congratulations on your new kitten! Not to worry, with a little perspective of their development at this age, and with loving human contact he will be just fine!
I am assuming if the kitten is around 8weeks old you probably shouldn't have him for more than a week?? Was this an orphaned kitten? Bottle feeder? or with the mom?
Kittens should not be take before 8weeks from their mom. I don't know the circumstances but there are ways to turn him into a very affectionate cat. I think at this point you are projecting needs on to the kitten that should be put into perspective so you aren't so disappointed and have realistic expectations.
Depending on how much the kitten was handled by humans will determine if he will be very comfortable at 8 weeks with human touch, however you have plenty of time to work with him now if he hasn't been so dont worry! All kittens are slightly different, but again he is young enough for easy happy bonded future with you!

Due to some kittens eyes not even being the color they will be as adults and their eye muscle 'focusing' activity still developing, it is probably pretty unfair to expect this little one to focus on you with his eyes when you hold him. Think of the visual activity field and inability to take in all peripheral stimuli and focus of a 3 year old. He is an infant still and will be growing and developing for the up to two years! His eyes will be sharper soon though!
It is also not really feasible for a kitten to know their name or what you call them at that age, or when that young. I would say give him a couple of months to grow maybe 3 months and he will start responding to his name more noticeably. You are dealing with an infant here so it is best to keep that in mind, otherwise it isnt fair to the kitten.
First, let me ask is the kitten healthy? Does he respond to games and toys? Was he actively playing with his litter mates as he should of been? If not, then we need to reassess the situation.

What has happened is he has been removed from his mom and play buddies so even though they are adapt for this it is still traumatic in a sense.  So unless you plan on adopting one of his litter mates or another kitten his age which i usually suggest as young kittens need their playmates, you need to become both his mom and his play buddy to develop a bond with him.
To become his play buddy play with him get some toys, toy mice and wand toys and shake them in front of him and do fun, gentle kitty games. He needs to toss and tumble with a littermate so maybe get him some stuffed animals his size if you are unable to adopt another 8week old.

To become his mom, clearly feed him as you are already, and as you said you can handle him which is already a great sign, I would lovingly and gently carry him around. When you are very calm and feeling "maternal" or in a nurturing mood, you can wrap him in a little dishtowel, sort of what we call "a burrito" and lay him against your chest. Speak lovingly, softly and gently to him, make him feel comforted by your loving kindness. Don't wrap too tightly but wrap securely. You can mimic how human moms are with their human babies. They sort of gently bob and rock them softly.
We have to create an environment of nurturing and softness where a kitten wants to be to have him get used to it. It generally happens very quickly with feral cats at this age so being that yours is already used to handling, I'd say you are way ahead of the game! Do this after a long play session when he is tired, so that he will already be ready for rest.
Remember when he is in a "play spell" and running and jumping and acting all crazy is not a good time to expect him to calm down for a little love session. Work with his energy and moods, become his play buddy and he will bond with you and become his gentle affectionate protective loving "mom" the other times.
Good luck! And not to worry he really is young enough to completely turn into a lover boy cat!
Let me know how it goes!

Shanti