socialize an adult cat

Author: John Stephens
Date Of Creation: 27 January 2021
Update Date: 19 May 2024
Anonim
How to Socialize Feral or Scared Adult Cats
Video: How to Socialize Feral or Scared Adult Cats

Content

If you have decided to adopt a cat or have had one for a long time but are unable to socialize with dogs or other cats, you have entered the appropriate website. In this article by Animal Expert, we show you what are the factors that influence the socialization of a cat and what possibility exists for a cat that is welcomed in a home, to be a docile animal with people.

When someone rescues a stray cat and takes it home, they have to be aware that it is an animal with a more or less consolidated behavior and that it can be very difficult to change (sometimes impossible). If it's a docile animal, there's no problem, but it can be the case that it's an aggressive and/or fearful animal, which can make it very difficult to live with humans. Keep reading and find out how socialize an adult cat.


How is a cat's behavior formed?

The cat is a feline, solitary and territorial predator. You can at certain times share territories with other cats (especially paired females), but hierarchical tensions are frequent.

In the cat there are several variables that influence its behavior, the most important being known as "sensitive period of socialization". It is a time that elapses from the second to the seventh week of the cat's life.During this period of maturation of the central nervous system, the cat begins to have the senses mature enough to be able to explore its surroundings. Therefore, you can become familiar with the environment, relate to other cats, other animals, places, smells, food or the presence of humans, among many other things.

During this period, the animal develops multiple experiences and receives various information from the environment that surrounds it, with no fear response until the end of this period. Anything that "lives" during this short period of time will mark the future behavior of the cat. In addition, there are other factors that influence the cat's behavior, which we explain to you below. Using positive reinforcement, for example, is a way to guide you towards a desired behavior.


What other factors influence a cat's behavior?

On the one hand the mother's food, during pregnancy and lactation greatly influences the learning capacity of kittens and the behavior of fear and aggression. A poor diet during this period gives rise to cats with little ability to learn and with fearful and/or aggressive responses.

The sweetness of the father influences the future behavior of the litter. A docile parent and a period of socializing with humans will make cats very docile. A little docile father will give way to little docile kittens, although it is the period of socialization that most shapes this behavior in the case of contact with humans.


One aspect that must be taken into account is that the most aggressive cats are the ones that, in principle, have the greatest reproductive success, as they acquire the "right to mount the cats in heat", although the cat's sexual conduct makes other cats less aggressive are able to pass on their genes.

Why is it so complicated to socialize an adult cat?

The best advice you can give is to rescue a kitten during the socialization period. This is the way to ensure that the animal will be able to live with humans in the future. However, the parent's behavior influences, but this variable cannot be controlled, as it is not known who the father is, even different cats can be parents of the same litter.

In case you want to adopt an adult cat, the selection criteria are more complicated. A cat that spontaneously approaches a human is a good candidate (in principle it is sweet and curious), although later on new problems may arise, such as adaptation to new territory, the presence of other cats, etc. Despite everything we think you should try!

Tricks to socialize a cat

The basic and essential requirement of this process will be the patience and affection that we can offer our cat. Socializing this animal can be tricky but not impossible if we spend adequate time. If you have doubts or the situation gets complicated, don't hesitate to consult a professional who can help you.

socialize a cat with a human

To gain the cat's trust, use some of the tricks mentioned above, such as offering moist food that the cat finds irresistible (preferably give it in your hand), talk softly and play with it. However, not all cats will accept this close behavior with humans, it is even normal for the cat to run away from you. We must be patient and respectful and never force the animal to do something you don't want to.

socialize a cat with other cats

It can happen that the cat is skittish with people but that it gets along very well with other felines as it has always lived in a group. If you don't know anything about your past and are thinking about adopting another cat or you already have one and you don't know what it's going to be like when you join both, we recommend the following:

First of all you must know that cats are tremendously territorial that is, in the beginning, you should avoid meeting too many times. Let them get used to smelling the scent of the new family member. Use a bed for a few days and change it so they discover that there is another cat living in your house.

Let them see each other from a distance and watch your behavior. A glass door, for example, is perfect for seeing how they get along. Although you notice positive behavior, don't bring them together right away, let two or three days pass.

Cat fights are extremely terrible, so you should be present on your first date. Put a lead or harness on both cats (although this is known to be uncomfortable for both) so you can stop an attack if it happens.

socialize a cat with a dog

The procedure for socializing a cat with a dog is very similar to what we explained in the previous case. First, it will be critical for both of you to realize that there is another animal living in your same house. Leaving each other's scented garments in your bed is a good way to start.

Then we should try to make eye contact between them to observe their reactions and check what each one does. Finally, first date safety it will be paramount to avoid a misfortune.

Allow time between each step for both of you to tolerate and begin to accept each other. Never force a date if you both try to run away. The consequences can be very serious, even for you.

How can you socialize an adult stray cat?

Changing the behavior of an adult animal is quite complex. On the one hand, a patience strategy must be developed so that the animal gradually loses its sensitivity to certain stimuli.

The presence of a human constantly, at a prudent distance and no negative consequences for the cat, can make the animal go little by little trusting and getting closer and closer to the human. At this point, it must be remembered that the cat is not as social an animal as the dog, hence the calls, caresses and attempts playing with them can be dangerous to the well-intentioned owner.

After starting the desensitization, it is possible to start rewarding the cat with something he likes (especially food) when performing some behavior. This is called "positive reinforcement operant conditioning". If the cat associates some behavior with the prize, it will repeat that behavior again.

The response of cats to these strategies is usually very individualized, so it is not possible to give times or percentages of success.

What if I can't socialize my cat?

In these cases, the most recommended will be resort to a professional so that you can advise us on some tricks or advanced guidelines that we can follow to, little by little, advance in this learning stage.