A: My rule of thumb is handling should be minimum during the first three days of life to allow the kitten to survive. After that, then handling the kitten on a daily basis is a good idea. Having the kittens bonding to human scent and human handling is very important, especially during weeks 3 through 7.
Gently pet and hold newborn kittens for just a few seconds several times each day. At 2 weeks of age, pick up and hold the kittens in different positions for brief periods every day. As they get older, it is okay to handle them more frequently and for longer periods of time.
During the first couple of days, any handling should ideally take place when the kitten initiates it. After the first forty-eight hours, handle the kitten throughout the day for short periods of time, rather than providing continuous physical contact.
It's very important that different people gently handle and play with kittens starting at 4 weeks old. Studies show that just 5–15 minutes of handling per day is sufficient to aid in socialization at this age. Social play with mom and littermates becomes prevalent by 4 weeks of age.
"Being held or stroked for too long can be very stressful for some cats," said Nicky Trevorrow, behavior manager at Cats Protection. "Space and peace is often what they need.
Some kittens bond with their caretakers in a matter of days, while others need more time to feel comfortable. Kittens that are more fearful or timid might need several weeks to bond with you. No matter how long it takes, the key is to be patient and continue going through the steps to connect with your kitten.
Besides food, your cat also needs love and attention, but is it possible to give too much love? The answer is, of course, no, but lavishing attention has been known to cause behavior problems. Like dogs, cats have a hierarchy.
Follow these tips to keep playtime fun: Play with your kitten at least two to three times a day (ideally for 15 minutes at a time) using interactive toys.
The amount of playtime your kitten needs will vary from kitten to kitten, as some cats are more energetic than others, but they generally need at least two to three play sessions a day, if not more. These sessions do not have to be long: short bursts of play throughout the day will keep your kitten stimulated.
If your kitten is actually well socialized, then doting on him with a lot of cuddles and pats is a great way to build a bond. “Once they're comfortable in their new home, invite a friend over to interact with your kitten as well,” suggests Watts.
Don't Let Your Kitten Go Outside Unless Supervised And On Lead The outside world is full of hazards for a young cat. There are coyotes, hawks, automobiles, and dreaded diseases. Occasional excursions outside on lead are acceptable but make sure you stay with the kitten as it explores.
Can I leave my kitten alone while I sleep? If you don't want your kitten in your room, they can be left alone whilst you sleep – give them a soft, warm and secure place to rest and they should be happy. If you do choose to do this, close the door so they can't hurt themselves whilst you sleep.
As well as being dangerous for your kitten, cats carry some diseases that can be transmitted to humans. To avoid injury, it's best to keep your kitten in a secure space while you're both sleeping. If you allow your pet to roam free while they are young, you may find it hard to enforce bedtime in the future.
Let them sleep on your bed or in your lap if they want to. However, it's important not to give in to their demands for attention all the time, as this can actually reinforce clingy behavior. Feed them on a schedule. Feeding your cat on a regular schedule can also help to reduce their clinginess.
Kittens between two and four months of age should only be left alone four to six hours at a time, not a full workday. When they're a little older, around six months, you can be gone all day. But they'll certainly be happier if you can check in on them at lunchtime or ask a friend to stop by.
Single kitten syndrome is the idea that young kittens, when raised with other young kittens and cats and then adopted into a home by themselves, can become aggressive, anxious, stressed, and even develop behavioral issues like inappropriate chewing/scratching and inappropriately using the litterbox.
Repetitive behaviors, overeating, terrorizing other pets, or even becoming destructive are all potential signs that your cat is bored. Cats are home all the time and, depending on their parents' lifestyle, sometimes by themselves.
Most felines will be perfectly content being left alone for up to 8 hours while you're at work. As long as fresh water is available, some cats can be left alone for up to 24 hours. However, longer or more frequent periods of time away, such as full days or nights away from home can be more disruptive.
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.
If your cat doesn't enjoy being petted, respect her desire not to be touched much. "Cats are like people—some enjoy a lot of physical contact with others, and some enjoy only a little," Nigbur says. Cats typically don't like being petted on their tummy, legs/feet, or tail.