Feline Expert Explains How To Socialize A Kitten

If you’ve just adopted a kitten or rescued a little waif and are looking for information on how to socialize a kitten, you have come to the right place.

Check out all the ways to ensure you’ll have a well-behaved companion to share a lifetime bond with, by following Sally Bahner’s feline expert advice.

By using a combination of play, training, rewards, and a consistent routine from Day one, your kitten will grow into a loving, confident friend. With proper socialization, you can avoid unwanted behaviors that may lead to relinquishment. Shelters are full of cats that could have remained in their homes with just a bit of work.

A well-socialized kitten makes life easier for both you and your furry friend since unwanted behaviors can cause stress in the relationship.

Who wants to spend time chastising a kitten when just a bit of work early on can make for a much more pleasant day-to-day existence?

Read on for some tips to create that purrfect relationship.

What Is A Well-Socialized Cat?

It is important to understand that each cat’s personality is different and shaped by early experiences. Each cat cannot be expected to be a cuddly lap cat, especially when adopted without knowing their background.

However, almost all will respond to a sweet conversation, gentle petting, and a safe secure environment. Patience is key.

Your feline friend should not be an unresponsive, fearful couch potato.

Although cats do spend a good part of the day napping or at rest, they should acknowledge your presence and routine, as well as cues for play and affection.

At first glance, they may appear to ignore you, but a few words or a gentle stroke will elicit a chirp, a purr, or a stretch to expose the soft belly.

When To Start Socializing A Kitten

In a perfect world, kitten socialization starts at the moment of birth.

A responsible breeder (or caregiver to the mom) is diligent about gently handling kittens, both as a means of getting them used to human contact and monitoring their health.

Creating A Safe Environment

Newborn kittens are fragile, so a warm, safe environment is essential.

A large box with plenty of blankets will prevent them from wandering off before they’re ready to explore the world.

Ideally, it should be located in a quiet, yet accessible area where you can keep an eye on their progress and get them used to household activities.

Gentle Handling And Positive Experiences

Fifteen to 45 minutes a day is optimum.

Newborns are deaf and blind, but their sense of smell draws them to the mom’s nipple and nourishment.

Mom grooms them constantly until they can groom themselves (at about 4 weeks) and your gentle touch reinforces that bond.

Exposure To Various Stimuli

• Touch: For newborns, start with touch in the form of gentle stroking.
• Small Toys: Add small toys to pique the kitten’s interest.
• Exploration: Allow kittens to move out of their nest to explore their surroundings, supervised, of course.
• Exposure: Expose kittens to comings and goings in the room, i.e. footsteps, voices, the rattling of dishes, the routine of feeding, and scooping the litter box.
• Pick Kittens Up: Continue to pick the kittens up, cuddle them, talk to them, and play with them.
• Scratcher: Introduce the kitten to a scratcher with a window view to expand their world.
• Increase Access: Gradually allow them further access to the house, making sure to kitten-proof any areas where they can get lost.
• Grooming: Longhaired kittens, especially, need to be acclimated to grooming; shorthaired can also benefit from regular brushing.

Consistency Is Key

Consistency is important when socializing a kitten. If you allow your cat to chase and bite your ankles, sometimes, the behavior will become ingrained.

Bad kitten behavior will become more troublesome as the cat gets older and stronger.

You can distract the kitten by tossing a toy or a sparkle ball, so they chase that and not your ankles.

Biting can be a big problem, especially for a kitty raised without a mom and siblings. Again, it’s important to understand their body language.

Please, do not use your hand as a toy, especially if they are bitey.

Fishing pole toys are ideal for exercise, releasing energy, and most of all cultivating the interaction that is so important to good socialization.

Addressing Challenges

You want to discourage behaviors such as:

• Biting when being petted
• Climbing up pant legs
• Chasing and tripping
• Inappropriate scratching

But it’s a two-way street.

As much as you would love to smother your cat with affection, you need to recognize their boundaries.

Their body language will tell you when they are over stimulated, for instance, they may:

• Stop purring
• Pupils may dilate
• Ears go back
• Tail twitches

Cat owners should stop what they are doing and allow the kitten to respond i.e. let them jump off your lap or walk away.

Socialization With Other Animals

Kittens socialized with dogs can develop warm loving relationships.

It is critical that your dog is well-trained and that you are aware of any issues that might trigger their prey drive.

The following canine breeds have a high prey drive:

• Terriers
• Huskies
• Greyhounds
• Chihuahuas

As with everything in the socialization process, it is important to go slowly when bringing a kitten into a household with a dog.

A dog and a kitten should not be left alone together until you are 100 percent certain of their safety.

When making introductions, keep the dog on a leash or in a crate, and reward acceptable behavior with praise and treats.

Gradually increase the dog and kitten’s time together.

A friend of mine is a cat breeder and has two very large Mastiff dogs. The kittens are raised underfoot with the dogs from birth (under supervision, of course) and the relationship is sweet and nurturing.

You just know those kittens will be confident and well-socialized when they go to their new homes.

Socializing The Orphaned Kitten

Socialization is even more critical for the kittens abandoned by their mom.

Often they are singletons, without the benefit of siblings to interact with. This makes your job as a human more important.

Usually, the mom cat and siblings provide company and nourishment for the kitten, in this case, that becomes your role!

Tiny kittens need to be fed every couple of hours and their bathroom needs taken care of using a soft cloth on their rear ends.

Petting and play should be amped up to foster socialization; often a human foster mom carries the kitten in a sling to maintain warmth and closeness.

Additionally, a bed with a safely covered heating pad should be kept nearby.

Be aware of the weekly goals mentioned above to make sure the kitten is developing properly.

How To Socialize A Feral Kitten

What about the fearful, stray kitty who shows up on your doorstep? You invite them into your home, and they immediately hide under the bed.

How does the socialization process work for a feral kitten?

Patience

Once again, patience is key.

You have to gain their trust by making them feel safe. You don’t want the feral kitten to feel overwhelmed in their new location.

Quiet Environment

Once you have lured them inside (and have hopefully gotten them checked out by a veterinarian) set them up in a quiet room with the following creature comforts:

• A couple of comfy beds
• Litter box
• Scratching post with perches (the elevation may make them feel safer)
• A box to hide in
• A comfortable chair for you

Spend Time With The Kitten

Your job is to spend quiet time with the feral kitten and encourage other family members to take shifts as well.

Play some soothing music and settle down with a good book, even reading it out loud to get the kitty used to your voice.

Talk to them and toss them a treat every so often. A sparkling ball or little furry mouse can also be used to pique their interest.

As they become more comfortable, toss the treats closer.

Playtime

Have a fishing pole toy with a feather nearby (what kitty can resist feathers?) to see if they pounce on it, then try instigating some play.

Share Your Scent

Extend your finger, or per cat guru Jackson Galaxy, the earpiece of your glasses, so they can learn your scent.

Gentle Petting

Then see if the feral kitten will accept gentle stroking on the top of their head or a chin scritch.

In time, extend the petting down the kitten’s back.

Brushing

This is also a good time to get them used to brushing or combing, especially if they are longhaired cats.

Stick to short sessions if they are resistant and reward them with praise and treats.

Be Patient

The timing for all this is not set in stone. Better to go slow and earn the kitten’s trust than risk scaring them further.

While your little stray may not become a lap cat, with time they’ll grow to trust and respond to you.

Healthy Growth Rate

Healthy, well-nourished newborn kittens grow quickly.

A normal kitten’s weight at birth is 1.8 to 5.3 ounces or 50 to 150 grams, whereas a Maine Coon kitten’s weight is THIS.

Kittens sleep for most of the day and navigate by crawling in response to the scent of their mother and her milk.

Week 1

By the end of the first week, they can hold up their head, wiggle around, and vocalize when picked up.

Week 2

By the second week, kittens open their eyes. Their ear canals open and their ears perk up.

They are still wobbly and sleep most of the time, but they are starting to move around.

Kittens still belong with their mom, who also takes care of their bathroom needs.

They still need to be kept warm, about 80 degrees.

Week 3

Kittens become more mobile at about 3 weeks and begin to explore their surroundings.

Their sensibilities improve:

• Coordination
• Hearing
• Vision

They are becoming curious about toys though they cannot run and chase them.

They may even make some small attempts at self-grooming.

Week 4

By 4 weeks, your kitten will have mastered walking and their coordination improves so they can run and play with toys.

They still need to be with their mom full-time, although they are becoming more responsive and can interact with their caregiver and their environment.

Week 5

At 5 weeks, wet food in a slurry can be introduced, although many kittens will choose to nurse as long as mom will allow.

Their social skills continue to develop and their grooming skills improve; they have also mastered the use of the litter box.

Week 6

By 6 weeks, kittens are honing their play skills and learning how to interact with their littermates.

For example: I bite you and you bite me back, it hurts. I don’t think I’ll do that again!

Their hearing and vision are fully developed and their coordination has progressed to the point where they can jump off surfaces and land on their feet.

Week 7

When kittens hit the 7-week mark, their energy increases, so they spend less time sleeping and more time:

• Playing
• Running
• Jumping off furniture

Throughout these critical development periods, your role is to encourage play and positive interaction with their littermates, and, of course, humans.

It is also important to expose them to household activities such as the:

• Vacuum
• Other Appliances
• Doorbell
• Kids
• Other Pets, Including Dogs

Week 8

Normal kittens (not Maine Coon kittens) reach 2 pounds at about 8 weeks and can be spayed.

However, there is a trend toward waiting until they are more fully developed.

Week 9

By 9 weeks, kittens’ dexterity has evolved to more sophisticated playing skills.

However, they are also developing attachments to their caregivers and will seek out attention and affection, communicating via:

• Body Language
• Vocalizing

Week 10

At 10 weeks, kittens are fully weaned, but they would benefit from a couple more weeks together for optimum socialization.

Once they are neutered, they are ready for their forever homes.

The longer they stay with their littermates and experience regular human interaction, the easier it will be for them to get to know their new household and family, including other four-footed residents.

A well-socialized kitten should adapt quickly to their new home.

Even so, they should be introduced gradually and be allowed to integrate at their own pace. They will get to know the family’s routine and anticipate who is coming and going.

6 Months

By 6 months, kittens form special bonds with certain family members as they integrate into the household and reach adulthood.

Conclusion

The socialization of kittens and indeed, cats is a measured process through regular, patient interaction.

The mark of a well-socialized kitten or cat is not necessarily being a “cuddle bug” but one who will often:

• Choose to hang out near you
• Sleep on your bed
• Respond to your voice with meows and chirps
• Feels comfortable integrating into your routine

The result will be a lifelong bond of love.