Kitten Socialization

Just For Cats Veterinary Hospital

Socialization is defined as the process in which an individual forms an attachment to the other species it comes into contact with during a given amount of time.  Every phase in a kitten's young life is important in the normal development of behavior; there are four phases that are unique and critical in a kitten's behavioral development.  Neonatal period is characterized by neonatal digestion and sleeping patterns.  Intermediate period begins during the second week with the appearance of adult patterns of eating, movement and immature forms of social behaviors.  The socialization period is the time where all primary social bonds are formed and is the single most important time in a cat's life.  The final phase is the juvenile period in which primarily their motor skills are maturing.

Cats, much like humans, require socialization with their own species as well as humans and other species if they are to become social members of any household.  Every year many cats are abandoned or euthanized because of their behavior.  Most times a cat's behavior is misinterpreted when it is actually normal cat behavior.  We as cat owners can not only help our cats in our household but also help our friends and family that may be adopting a new kitten to prevent inappropriate behavior.

Cats' social period occurs between 2-7 weeks of age, which does not mean that older cats cannot benefit from this discussion.  The socialization period is a developmentally sensitive time during which the individual is the most responsive to social stimuli.  The first few weeks of life are important to the social development of the cat.  By 6-8 weeks of age kittens respond to visual and scent threats, 7-8 weeks they have developed good eye, paw coordination, 6-12 weeks social play develops and 14 weeks onward social fighting and fearful playing start.

Allowing the kitten to interact with other cats, dogs, children, men and women, etc., during their social period will help prevent them from becoming fearful or nervous when new meetings occur.  If a cat is obtained outside of the social period, they still can be socialized - it will just require more effort.  All new interactions need to be monitored and should not be forced upon your kitten.

Gentle holding should take place in the interractions; research has shown that kittens held for a total of 40 minutes a day leads to more social kittens than those held for less time.  Research has also shown that the more people handle the kitten, the less fear it has toward strangers than those only handled by one individual.  Gently pet along back, behind ears, under chin, on top of head, and along the tail and belly.  If at any point your kitten becomes agitated or overwhelmed, give them a break and continue later.  Being forceful with your kitten will only lead to them becoming aggressive or fearful.  Also hold the kitten as you would cradle a baby so that they can be comfortable on their back.  This process should only take about five minutes per exposure.  Once they are used to being held you want to increase their exposure by looking in their ears, touching their toes, opening their mouth and introducing them to being brushed; doing this during their social period will help later on in life when they go to the vet.  This is also a good way to know what normal looks like in your kitten.  Remember to always praise and reward your kitten with treats during and after each interaction.

Cats display different types of play behavior which include object play, self play and social play.  In object play, play is directed toward inanimate objects.  Behavior would be seen in object play as chasing, pouncing, and leaping on objects.  They also play in the form that they would do with their prey outdoors such as batting, grasping, sniffing, licking, or tossing in the air.  In self play, cats chase their own tail or pounce on invisible objects.  Running, tumbling, climbing over, in and out, around or through other objects can also take place.  Social play involves behavior directed towards cats, other animals and humans.  Social and object play can present a problem in a house if directed towards the human.

Providing the kitten with appropriate play objects for different types of play and enough opportunities to play will help to enforce appropriate behavior.  Meeting the cat's behavioral needs for play is the most important factor in promoting appropriate behavior.  Provide a variety of toys to interact with so that all their play types are met.  For example, toys to chase, pounce on, bat, swat, manipulate, hide in, crawl in, etc.  Keep toys simple and also rotate the toys so they have different toys every few days.  Cats have about an eight minute attention span per toy so rotating toys will save you money.

We all know how fun it can be to play with a kitten.  Avoid using your hands, feet or any other body part.  Using yourself as a toy promotes inappropriate behavior for the kitten and will lead to aggression issues when they are older.  Remember the phrase, "Hands and Feet are not Mice", while you play with your kitten.  Also avoid using toys that are made to be a glove for your hand.  This makes your hand become part of the toy.  Even though your hand is covered you are telling your kitten that it is ok to play with your hands.  Learn your kitten's behavioral patterns so that you can anticipate when the inappropriate behavior is likely to occur, and be prepared to redirect it towards appropriate objects.  For example, if your cat pops out from under the bed when you walk past it, then throw a toy out there before you walk past the bed so they will attack the toy instead of you.  Don't neglect play time; otherwise they will find an inappropriate way to play.

Kittens will be kittens; they will not always behave as we would like them to.  When it comes to punishment you never want to hit, slap or pin your kitty.  These actions will only lead them to fear you or become aggressive towards you.  Redirect their behavior towards an appropriate behavior such as a toy.  This will teach them that what they were doing was wrong and playing with a toy is acceptable.  If after a couple of attempts to correct their behavior, this does not work simply take yourself out of the situation by walking away from them.  At this point, don't try to pick them up and place them in a different room for a "time out", it may result in you getting bit.

Scratching is a normal behavior in the cat; there are ways to prevent them from scratching on the objects that don't need to be destroyed.  Scratching is done for marking, claw maintenance and stretching.  Begin with observing where they like to scratch - on the bed, couch, carpet, where they sleep, etc., then provide them with a scratching post in those areas.  Each cat has their own preference on scratching.  Some may prefer horizontal versus vertical objects to scratch or they might like to "rake" versus "dig" in the same spot.  Provide them with different types of scratching posts or something that is versatile and can be used to their scratching preference.  Sprinkling the objects with catnip can help motivate them to use the scratching areas provided.  Make sure that the scratching posts are sturdy and will not collapse, move or fall over when the cat is using it; if this occurs it will only discourage them from using the post.

Having a kitten is a large responsibility, but with the right attitute and approach, it can be just as rewarding.