Content
- What can happen if you don't socialize your cat?
- socializing with people
- socializing with other animals
- Separation Anxiety in Cats
The arrival of a new family member is always a reason to be happy, however, before adopting a kitten, we must take into account that it needs some care and time for learning. Among other things, we have to devote time to him to get him to socialize properly so that he grows balanced and happy. A cat's socialization consists of develop animal confidence to get used to the presence and relationship with other people and animals, without getting scared or uncomfortable.
A well-socialized cat will grow up happier and likely be more affectionate, affectionate, and polite. Therefore, in this article by PeritoAnimal we want to teach you how to socialize a kitten cat so that the relationship with your new partner can develop in a healthy and happy way.
What can happen if you don't socialize your cat?
If you haven't socialized your cat since it's little, it can show negative attitudes that, with age, can be more difficult to resolve. If your kitten is not well socialized it can show scared, insecure or aggressive, even scratching or biting anyone who comes close.
That's why it is so important that you know how to socialize a kitten from the moment it arrives at your house, this way you will avoid problems and coexistence will be more pleasant and peaceful.
socializing with people
Depending on the place where the kitten was born, it may have had contact with other people, in which case it will be easier for him to interact with strangers. The sensitive period of cats, that is, the period in which they most easily learn certain behaviors from the experiences they have, is between 2 and 7 weeks[1].
Anyway, you'll have to prepare him a space of its own, where you feel safe and can turn to if you feel cornered. In order for him to get used to you, you will need to spend a lot of time with him, caress him, play with him, and always speak in a soft, calm voice. This way you will create a bond with your cat and he will get used to dealing with people.
It is also important that you get used to the presence of strangers, so you can ask your friends and family to pay you a visit so that the puppy gets used to it. He may be reticent at first, but give him a break, when he starts to get confident he'll laugh approaching himself. It is important that don't force him to have contact if you don't want to, this is because it can be counterproductive and will have the opposite effect to what you intend. It is best to attract him using friendly words, various toys and treats.
When dealing with children, it is important that you make it clear that this is not a toy and that you have to be patient. Children will want to play with him and hug him over and over, but they have to follow the same steps as adults. They should let the cat approach by itself and watch over the children to play carefully without hurting them.
socializing with other animals
The kitten has probably had a relationship with its mother and brothers, but it still has to get used to the presence of other animals. Puppies are usually more sociable than adults and are always looking for games, so this phase is easier than socializing a cat when it is an adult.
If your kitten is a little insecure or shy, a carrying crate can go a long way in getting her used to the smells of her old house member. You must control the other animal so that it is not too brusque and doesn't scare the kitten. Little by little, let the dog get used to the smells and presence of the other animal and gradually get closer.
Separation Anxiety in Cats
To get your kitten used to people you will need to spend a lot of time with him, however, can get to feel dependent of you and begin to experience separation anxiety. In this case, you should gradually get him used to being alone.
The important thing is that your cat grow up correctly socialized, not to be frightened by the presence of other people or animals but to be independent. In this way you will be able to create a happy, healthy and balanced cat.
