The socialization of kittens

Before a kitten enters our home and drives us crazy with joy and tenderness, we have to inform ourselves very well about the socialization process it needs to learn to relate to the environment that surrounds it. In this way, we will live with a confident and happy feline. We tell you with hairs and signs.

Socialize to live in harmony

Guided by their mother, cats learn to behave from the moment they come into the world.

At your side, they will develop a series of hygienic and social habits , fundamental for their physical and mental health, such as grooming, eating, controlling their bite or interacting with living beings and the elements of their environment.

The first weeks of life are essential to consolidate this learning with his mother and siblings.

Between the third and seventh week , the kittens are ready to receive the first socialization lessons. At this stage, your mind begins to assimilate the patterns by which it will be guided in the future.

It is a delicate phase, in which the reaffirmation of the innate character of the feline and the success of the corrective guidelines of certain inappropriate tendencies are at stake.

When the kitten stops enjoying the attentive gaze and zeal of its mother, it is the responsibility of humans to educate it and offer it the guidance and resources it needs to feel confident and happy in its new home.

When the kitten comes home

From the moment the puppy lays its four paws in our home, we must continue with the socialization task that its mother cat began.

Think that it should be a continuous work and you should not rest on your laurels, since it is a decisive stage, which usually lasts between 2 and 9 weeks of age.

Afterwards, you can continue the socialization, although it will surely leave less of a mark on the kitten’s mind.

Throughout this post, we will indicate some basic guidelines that will help you socialize your little feline.

“Socialized cats, since they are puppies, tend to grow up happy, educated and affectionate”

5 guidelines for socializing your kitten

When it comes to socializing your kitten, we must take into account various factors that may affect its behavior, such as genetics, the relationship it has had with its mother, the stimuli received during the imprint or stage of sensory exploration and relationship with the environment, and the educational methodology applied.

Now it’s time to get on with your batteries and enjoy educating your little furry.
Take good note of the following guidelines and tips:

1. First relationships with humans

Family members should try to catch the kitten with some frequency to get it used to this manipulation, but always respecting its rhythm and without exposing the animal to rough manipulations.

1. The best way to do this is to imitate their mothers, that is, grasping the skin at the back of the neck, with our fingers, as a clamp.
2. With the other hand, we will hold it by the back legs.
3. This way of catching the pussycat can be done for a maximum of two minutes and until it is six months old.

2. Sounds, noises, smells, sights …

Our kitten cannot remain oblivious to the world around him.

1. Therefore, it is good for you to develop your senses by listening, sniffing or seeing what is around you, always under control.
2. Thus, we will have a calm cat, capable of living in our home when we put on music, drop an object, cook, or turn the lights on or off.

3. Getting familiar with their cat spaces

Like humans, our kitten needs its space and objects so that it can feel comfortable and confident.

Do not forget to provide the following:

• Rest area: It must be in a place protected from drafts and noise, provided with a mat and a blanket. It is also highly recommended to provide the cat with some resting spaces at different heights .
• Place to eat and drink: We will indicate to the kitten where it has its feeder and drinker , which should also be in quiet places in the house.
• Recreation space: Here we will put their toys and teach them to interact with members of the house and with friends or family, always with delicacy and respect. Kittens love to play and with this activity, well carried out, we are sure to earn their trust and take away their fear of other people.
• Sandbox: We will teach the puppy that he should make his stools in the tray that we have prepared for him and that we will place in a peaceful area of ​​the house.

4. Kittens and children

If we have children, we will have to extend socialization also to our little ones, because children are also in a stage of sensory and behavioral exploration.

And, to promote coexistence and respect between the two , there are some things that we must do and explain to them:

1. Teach children early to interact with kittens to familiarize them and avoid possible rejection, scratching or biting.
2. Instruct the little ones to treat kittens with affection, care and respect.
3. Clearly tell children not to bother their kitten and not to treat it as just another toy.
4. And nothing to make the pussy angry, let the little ones know that an angry cat can hurt them.

5. When another animal lives in the house
   In the case of having another animal in the house, such as another feline or a dog, we must socialize the kitten and the other party, so that there is peace between them.

1. Before the puppy comes home, we will buy a carrier to protect it, until the two animals are recognized and admitted safely.
2. From the carrier, your kitten will be able to observe the other animal little by little and gain confidence.
3. When we see that they have friendly attitudes, we will leave them together, always under our watchful eye.
4. Later, if there is no rejection by any of the furry ones, it is likely that they will even seek each other out to play or feel accompanied.

You see that with socialization coexistence is possible, even with animals that still retain many of their wild instincts, such as cats. We hope we have helped you achieve it. Good luck and happy relationship with your kitten!