As somebody who has raised many kittens (principally by means of fostering, but in addition one in all my very own), I can say with certainty that it’s not simple. Kittens are lovable, sure, however they’re additionally impossibly energetic and rambunctious, dangerously curious, and they are often quite damaging when you’re not paying consideration.
It’s in a kitten’s nature to discover their new world by means of stalking, pouncing, and gnawing. Left to their very own units, a kitten would develop as much as be wild, unruly– feral by definition. However along with your assist, your kitten can as a substitute develop as much as be a trusting, loving, well-adjusted cat. Right here’s what you’ll must do.
#1 – Socialize with people
As a way to elevate a kitten into an grownup cat who’s assured at residence, you should socialize her with people. If attainable, introduce your kitten to a lot of individuals in the course of the first few months of her life. It shouldn’t be too laborious to persuade your pals to come back over to play along with her. Who would resist an invite like that? For probably the most well-rounded expertise, introduce a variety of individuals, too– together with completely different ages (together with youngsters and aged of us), completely different genders, completely different races, and so on. Inviting your pals over to play and cuddle along with her will put together her for a lifetime of feeling protected and safe when you may have guests, pet sitters, and so on.
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#2 – Socialize with canines and different animals
Introducing your kitten to cats, canines, or different pets (bunnies, rats, guinea pigs, and so on.) is a no brainer you probably have them; they’ll have to fulfill ultimately. However that is additionally a good time to socialize a kitten to different animals when you really feel chances are you’ll add them to your own home sooner or later. These introductions ought to at all times be supervised with applicable measures taken for security.
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#3 – Plenty of light play
Kittens have a lot of power. It may be overwhelming, notably in case your kitten doesn’t have littermates to wrestle round with. When you’ll certainly get your fair proportion of cuddling with a sleepy kitten, it’ll be your job as her caretaker to assist her launch all of her pent up kitten power by partaking in frequent play with interactive toys like a laser pointer or wand toy. It’ll even be your accountability to show your kitten that biting you isn’t applicable or okay throughout play. Play biting could also be cute and innocent whereas she’s tiny, nevertheless it’s a habits that may turn out to be harmful and damaging when she will get older if she’s taught it’s acceptable.
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#4 – Give affection
Kittens who develop into emotionally wholesome and well-adjusted cats are taught from a younger age that they’re liked by a human who offers them affection. Affection may be given in lots of varieties, like petting, cuddling, candy speaking, choosing up, holding, kissing, and so on. One in every of my cats, Ida, was by no means picked up by the household she had earlier than me, however choosing up my cats is one in all my favourite methods to point out affection. At first, she had no thought how one can be picked up or held and it genuinely scared her (most likely as a result of it made her really feel susceptible). It was loads of work to get her snug with being picked up, however she loves it now that she trusts me. You may keep away from future challenges like this by getting your kitten snug from a younger age with being touched, picked up, and held.
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#5 – Create stimulating residence setting
Kittens must have residence environments that feed their pure instincts so as to thrive and develop into well-adjusted cats. An amazing setting will nurture your kitten’s must play/hunt, perch, and scratch. It’ll additionally embrace quick access to contemporary water, nourishing meals, and a clear litter field.
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#6 – Clear up habits issues rapidly
Kittens study their environments and acceptable behaviors by experimenting and observing the outcomes. It’s essential to curb inappropriate behaviors (peeing outdoors of the litter field, scratching the facet of the sofa, biting your hand whereas taking part in, and so on.) as quickly as they occur. The longer you let the habits persist, the more durable it’ll be to get your kitten again heading in the right direction. Consistency is the important thing to coaching a kitten.
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#7 – Don’t punish or reprimand
Punishing or reprimanding a kitten for inappropriate habits can do extra hurt than good. By scolding your kitten, spraying her with a water bottle, or hanging her (please by no means, ever do this), you might be instructing her to be afraid of you. As an alternative, take into consideration the habits out of your kitten’s perspective. Most “unhealthy” habits is just the results of a facet of her setting that’s non-existent or missing. As an example, don’t reprimand your kitten for scratching the facet of your sofa. It’s instinctual and wholesome for her to scratch and dig her claws into issues. As an alternative, present her with a greater choice by introducing her to a cardboard or sisal scratching submit. You may even rub or spritz it with a little bit of catnip to make it extra engaging. Kittens who’re allowed to faucet into their pure instincts (in applicable methods) with out being reprimanded will develop into wholesome, curious, and well-behaved cats.
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