Kitten Socialisation
Kittenhood is a stage of massive physical and behavioural changes. During the first few months of a kitten’s life, they go through an amazing transformation. Our kittens are fed Royal Canin. Kandy Paws believe in Royal Canin’s strong values, and like them, we know we will always be learning. Royal Canin collaborate with leading scientific, veterinary, and behavioural experts which is why it is a brand we love and trust.
In the first few weeks of a kitten’s life everything is new. Socialisation is key to helping them understand new surroundings and interacting with different people, places and situations without feeling scared. It also helps them to form healthy behaviours that will impact the rest of their lives.
The science…
A sense of sight
It takes up to four weeks for a kitten’s sight and connected behaviour (spatial perception) to be fully developed.
Immunity and defence
In its first six months a kitten’s immature immune system must help protect them from millions of germs.
Tripling their weight
At birth, most kittens weigh around 100 grams. Within a week they will double that weight and triple it within 21 days.
Healthy bones
In the first year of a kitten’s life, its bones will grow to become four times stronger than concrete
Extraordinary growth
In the first six months of a kitten’s life, it will grow as much as a 10 year old adult child.
Source: www.royalcanin.com
When does socialising begin for kittens?
At first, kittens are socialised by their breeder, as well as their mother. Their siblings will also follow their example when it comes to habits and behaviours. Kitten learn most of their social behaviours in the first three months of their life. So, the sooner kitties are introduced to new experiences, the better.
How do you know if a kitten is sociable?
If a kitten is curious and happy to run up to you, seeks attention and rubs up against you, there’s a good chance that they have had a good basic socialisation. However, if they are shy and try to run away when you approach, it’s likely they haven’t developed their social skills, it’s important this starts at the beginning.
Kittie socialisation – what it achieves
Socialisation is a vitaldevelopmental stage. Effective socialisation helps them (and their hoomans) in many ways including:
- Removing the fear and anxiety of new experiences
- Making them feel at comfotable in their new surroundings
- Helping them to get used to other people, animals and places
- Teaching them which behaviours are right and wrong
- Keeping them more curious and inquisitive in adult life
The fun and positivity of socialising kittens give kittens brilliant social experiences that help them to learn how to act around people, how to play with each other and how to be calm in new situations.
The careful socialisation of our pawties helps our kittens to understand that not all new situations are something to be afraid of and helps build their confidence through continued positive reinforcement. The great thing is they are with their siblings, which gives them further reassurance. With our kitties meeting new people, along with exciting new surroundings to explore, their experiences can be managed in a way that directly helps with their development. They are feel even more safe knowing that their siblings are not too far away.
Our priorities at Paws for a Pawtry
The wellbeing of the kitties is our number one priority, so we always make sure that our kitties are happy and safe. They have plenty of opportunities to relax if they’re not feeling playful (after all it’s a cat’s life) and learn how to be themselves in the safest environment possible. These pawties give the kitties vital development around different people each time, helping them to be much less nervous around humans as they grow into happy, healthy, more social cats.
