> Training
Kitten
Socialization
Virginia Beach SPCA
http://www.vbspca.com/
Proper
Socialization of Kittens Makes for Happy Cats The
experiences of kittens during their first few months of life are
critical in helping shape their temperaments and personalities as
adults. These experiences begin very early as kittens interact
with their mother, litter mates and humans.
The
Essential Human Touch
Studies
show that a litter of kittens born in a location inaccessible to
humans will, as young as two to three weeks of age, hiss at
humans. A litter of kittens from the same mother, if handled
daily, will not react fearfully. Some research suggests that
handling kittens each day during the first month of their lives
may improve their learning abilities. Studies also suggest that
kittens react more readily to humans when the mother cat is
present. The belief is that she sends no alarming signals to the
kittens and that her presence reassures them.
The
Mother/Kitten Interaction
Other studies
have shown that the development of behavior in kittens depends
upon the interactions between the kittens and their mother. This
is seen in particular during the nursing process, as the mother
encourages independence in the kittens through her control of the
situation. During the first few weeks of the kittens' lives, the
mother will initiate the nursing. As the kittens grow and gain the
ability to interact with the mother outside the "nest"
environment, they are more and more responsible for initiating
contact. As they grow, the mother weans them by making nursing
contact more difficult or even impossible to achieve.
The
Critical Play Period
When the kittens
leave the nest, play behavior begins as they paw and bite one
another. This is followed by chasing, stalking and wrestling. Play
helps introduce young kittens to their environment and may
reinforce the interaction between the mother and her kittens. It
is a very important part of the behavioral development of the
kitten. A kitten deprived of play activity will usually
demonstrate some behavior problems later in life.
Socializing
Kittens to Humans
This critical
play period when kittens are four to eight weeks of age,
socialization to humans is extremely important. This socialization
can be enhanced by frequent petting and handling; studies show
that petting a young kitten can make it more responsive to its
owner when it is an adult cat. Exposing kittens to many people is
important, too, in socializing kittens to humans. This seems to
lessen their fear of strangers as adult cats. Kittens should also
be introduced to children, as a kitten not socialized with
children may reject or even bite them after it has matured.
Stalking and pouncing on imaginary prey are play behaviors that
aid kittens in their neural and muscular development. Providing
appropriate toys for these activities, such as wads of paper,
ping-pong balls and kitten fishing toys, enhances the kitten's
play. Toys that are too heavy for the kitten to move or that are
small enough to be ingested should be avoided. Also, avoid using
hands, fingers, feet or clothing when playing with a kitten. This
kind of play encourages attack games on people which may result in
aggressive behavior.
When It's
the Right Time to Place a Kitten
The most
desirable age to place a kitten in a new home appears to be
between eight and 12 weeks of age. The kitten should be
transported home in a carrier of some kind. Upon arriving, the
kitten should be placed in a small, quiet area with food and a
litter box. (If the kitten is very tiny, a small litter box with
lowered sides may be necessary at first.) After confining the
kitten in a quiet place for the first few days, gradually allow it
access to other rooms in the home.
Kittens obtained after 12 weeks may be a bit more difficult to
handle. Patience is required in helping them adjust to their new
environment. The feeding routine can help with this adjustment, as
feeding at a set time and in a set place brings kitten and owner
together in a positive experience for the kitten. Enhance the
experience by talking quietly to the kitten and gently petting it.
Understanding a kitten's need to adjust to its environment and to
interact with people is the beginning of a companionship that can
bring years of pleasure.
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