Hold them often – A cuddled kitten will grow up to become a socialized, contented cat. Start handling your kitten from the time they are born. As they mature, you can also teach your children proper handling techniques. Encourage petting and gentle touch to get them used to interaction from you and others.
First things first, train them to respond to their name. Always call them with their name and try to use it more often to help them register. Furthermore, use the regular sit and stop commands to teach them to listen to you. Ensure to praise them when they obey you with a 'good job' or another rewarding statement.
Always train with positive reinforcement. Use “time outs” or a squirt bottle filled with water to distract your kitten from behaviors you want to prevent. If your kitten misbehaves at home or during his first veterinary visit, discuss with your vet ways to in which to work with him.
First, correct them with a firm 'no', take them to another area, and initiate play. Remember, cats do not understand punishment. Rewarding them when they behave (even when they are not displaying undesirable behavior) will encourage your cat to come to you and listen rather than avoiding you with fear.
Why Do Kittens Misbehave? Kittens are like babies. The are constantly learning about the world around them and what behavior is acceptable and what isn't through positive and negative reinforcement. When your kitten misbehaves, it's not trying to be "bad." It's simply learning how to behave.
The 3-3-3 rule refers to the first 3 days, the first 3 weeks, and the first 3 months after bringing a shelter animal home.
Cats typically don't like being petted on their tummy, legs/feet, or tail. Of course, there are always outliers—some cats will love every bit of affection, no matter where they're touched or who's doing it. But generally, you shouldn't pet a cat you don't know on their stomach or extremities.
Some people might think that it's safe to pick up a cat by the scruff of their neck as this is how mother cats pick up their kittens. But humans are not mother cats and kittens lose scruff as they grow older. Picking up a cat by the scruff can actually cause trauma, pain and muscle damage.
All cats need a safe place where they can go to adjust and feel safe, and where no other animals will intrude. Kittens can be raised to be well-adjusted, kind and sociable pets with the right guidance from knowledgeable owners.
Approach a cat the way they greet each other (sort of). Felines who are friendly with each other greet each other nose to nose. You can mimic that behavior by offering a non-threatening fingertip at their nose level, a few inches away. Don't hover, just bend down and gently extend your hand.
Feed your kitten at routine times each day, keep playtime at the same times, and manage their litter box regularly. Kittens feel more secure when they know what to expect. Grooming your kitten with brushing and nail trimming can also help you bond with them.
You'll know your cat is happy if they show affection to you and want to interact with you. A content kitty loves scritches, snuggles, head boops, and lap sits. Every cat is different, of course, and some prefer to lay near you rather than on you. In general, though, a happy cat shows it by being close to their human.
Here is a breakdown of the general milestones of your kitten's growth: 2 weeks - 3 months: If you're a parent yourself, picture this period as the “terrible twos”. This is the toddler years of your kitten and is when your kitten is usually most hyperactive. Get ready for zoomies as well as some scratching.
A secure and comfortable room like the laundry is ideal, or you might even want to consider a pen or large crate so that you can control your kitten's movements at night. Kittens love to be nice and cosy, so make sure there are lots of blankets, and that the bed has reasonably high sides to provide extra warmth.
Bonding. First and foremost, cuddling is a great way to make Fluffy feel loved. This can help form and strengthen that special bond of friendship and love people share with their kitties. Just don't force things: that's a huge faux pas in the kitty rule book!
It may be best to make up a comfortable space like the laundry with a nice warm bed, food, fresh water and the litter tray to ensure they have access to everything they need.
At 8 weeks, a rapidly growing kitten will need 3-5 pouches of wet food per day which means you will be feeding them every 2-3 hours. By the time your kitten reaches 6 months of age, their growth rate will have slowed down and meals will reduce to between 2-4 per day.
Wet food is preferred for kittens as it contains the essential moisture needed to keep your growing kittens happy & healthy. Kittens should also be given free access to food during their first six months, and should be fed at least three times a day. After four months, feeding can be decreased to twice a day.
When your kitten is over three months old, you should add one and a half pouches of kitten wet food to their daily diet of four to five meals. If your kitten is ready for a mixture of wet and dry food, reduce the amount of wet food to between half a pouch and one pouch (one pouch = 100 grams).
From Ten to Fourteen Months is the Worst
Most kittens edge into adolescence at about ten months of age. This can vary, though, depending on the kitten. My orange tabby, Kirk, was actually closer to a year when I saw the adolescent changes in his behavior. However, ten months is the most common age.
After year 1. The transition to adulthood ordinarily occurs from 1 to 2 years old. At this time, and possibly after neutering, a cat may retain a lot of energy but should be notably calmer with it reaching full maturity at 2. From 3 to 10 years old, a cat is relatively calm but remains active.