Below are some tips on kitten behaviour:
Claw Counselling/Scratching
There are two main reasons for cats scratching: claw care and communication.
Scratching is a normal behaviour.
As a cat owner, you need to be able to provide appropriate scratching posts!
Place posts near favourite resting places as kittens often scratch after waking up from their naps.
It’s also best to provide vertical and horizontal posts made of wood, corrugated cardboard, sisal or loosely woven carpet.
Double-sided tape can be a mild aversive deterrent to deter scratching on valuable furniture or rugs.
Make sure to give positive reinforcement after your cat scratches in the appropriate spot!
Learn how to trim your cat’s nails; we can always give you a demonstration at the clinic!
Soft paws (small caps that are glued onto the nail) are also available to prevent damage from scratching.
House Soiling
Litter boxes should be appealing and accessible at a convenient location on each floor.
Most cats prefer uncovered litter boxes that are not near noisy appliances or furniture.
If possible, clean litter boxes daily.
Put away laundry/empty boxes/bags so as not to provide an attractive option to use a litter box.
Most cats prefer clumping/non-scented litter.
You should have 1 more litter box than the number of cats in the household.
Socialization
The most sensitive time for kitten socialization ends at 7 weeks. After that time kittens may be less flexible about learning social skills.
It’s ideal to introduce your kitten to: adults, children, cat-friendly dogs and healthy, social cats.
If your kitten will be going outside for supervised play or leash walks, introduce leashes, collars and harnesses.
Remember – socialization should be fun and gentle.
Practice handling – give treats for being touched, trim their nails and practice bundling/wrapping them in towels.
Leave their carrier out and accessible. It helps to hide toys or treats inside to get them used to the carrier not being a bad place! You can take them on small car trips that end with treats to give them a positive experience.
Environment Enrichment – increase the size of the indoor world
Allow vertical spaces for resting (shelves, perches, catwalks).
If safe, use outdoor enclosures.
Use different objects for them to hunt (food, toys, tunnels boxes).
Place portions of a meal in food and toys.
Playing – discourage chasing and biting at hands and feet!
Reward based clicker training is also an option.
And the end of the day the most important thing to remember is to enjoy your kitten!
Written by Dr. Terri Chotowetz