How to raise a kitten: expert advice on how to properly raise a kitten

Raising a cat's docile character should begin from the moment it enters the home. Unfortunately, at first, few people care about this aspect - the owners focus on litter training, grooming, bathing and other procedures, completely losing sight of the need to properly build a relationship with the animal.

The easiest way to train kittens to be tame is when they are up to six months old. But even if an adult, already formed animal with its own principles and character appears in the house, there are still several options for how to make a cat affectionate.

At what age should you adopt a kitten to make it easier to raise it?

Breeders recommend adopting kittens at the age of 3 months. By this time, the baby becomes independent and it is easier for him to part with his mother. A kitten that has not experienced severe stress from a change of home will be more contactable with humans. A raised animal has a lot of advantages over a baby :

the kitten is already socialized and ready to learn;
the animal is accustomed to the tray and scratching post;
some of the cats have already been neutered, so they are more affectionate towards their owner;
the animal knows the rules of behavior in the house.

It will be easier to raise a grown cat than a 1-2 month old baby. The animal is already socialized, so the learning process will not be difficult. When choosing a pet in a breeder's home, give preference to friendly, affectionate kittens who will make contact themselves.

Features of animal communication

Animals have their own language - this is, first of all, body language. It’s worth learning it to understand how to behave in order to gain mutual understanding. Scientists believe that loud meowing is speech addressed to a person. Animals communicate with each other differently. In addition to obvious aggressive body movements, the language of movements of the ears and tail is especially expressive. If the cat has:

the ears are directed to the sides and slightly pressed, then this sign speaks of fear, mistrust, and readiness to rush to defend oneself;
the ears are directed back and pressed tightly to the head - this is a signal of horror, panic, aggression, readiness to attack;
ruffled hair on the tail - a desire to increase size and frighten the enemy;
Slow swaying of the tail from side to side – mild irritation;
a sharp twitching in the horizontal plane of the tip of the tail is pronounced aggression.

The language of cats is much richer than described. The cat is trying to “talk”, so try to understand what is being said. In addition, there are a number of actions to which a cat reacts only aggressively.

Making contact

In order to raise a cat to be affectionate, you need to establish a trusting relationship with him. When moving to a new home, the animal becomes stressed and needs about 3 weeks to adapt. During this period, do not pester your baby with games if he has no desire. Start raising your cat unobtrusively; he should feel that his owner is kind and loves him.

Reward your pet with treats for good behavior, be attentive to it and provide good care. The animal must calm down and get used to the owner. Raising an affectionate kitten requires encouragement, so that learning correct behavior will take place without stress.

If the baby sits calmly in your arms, then take him more often. Spend as much time as possible with your little kitten if you want him to grow up affectionate. But do not insist on games if the pet is not currently in the mood for them. Over time, the affectionate cat will begin to seek the company of an owner he trusts.

How to raise a “good guy”

The toilet issue is not the only thing you should pay attention to. It is important for everyone to know how to raise a calm kitten. After all, you don’t want a monster to live inside your furry cutie. Plus, cat claws should not be underestimated.

In order for the pet to be calm and balanced, the owner himself needs to behave calmly, peacefully, and friendly.

How to raise a kitten to be tame? You cannot encourage or ignore moments when a kitten behaves incorrectly.

An example: A teacher retired and got herself a beautiful Russian Blue kitten. These kittens are incredibly cute. You really want to cuddle them, take them in your arms, caress them. And then the schoolchildren came to the teacher.

Seeing the kitten, they began to stroke it, pick it up, scratch it behind the ear, and pass it from hand to hand.
The kid, who had never seen such a crowd of people before, got scared and screamed heart-rendingly.
The teacher immediately grabbed the baby, hugged him and calmed him down.
And then she began to examine him to see if the children had broken his fragile bones. But everything worked out.
With bones. But the kitten firmly understood that if you don’t like something, you need to scream with all your might.
To this day, the big cat screams whenever he wants.
And all because one day, by shouting, he achieved what he wanted. But it was necessary to simply rid the baby of a large crowd of people.

But how to raise an affectionate kitten? You need to make sure that he enjoys communicating with the person. To do this, from the first days you need to take the kitten in your arms, stroke it, scratch it behind the ear. But all a person’s movements should not be frightening, nervous, speech should not be loud and aggressive.

And then the baby will be drawn to the person, his touch will be pleasant to him. This is the answer to the question - how to raise an affectionate kitten.

Young children cannot always control the strength of their movements. Therefore, it is better for young children not to pick up kittens. You can have a great time playing with your cat, rolling balls, running around with a bow on a string, or come up with a new game that is safe for the animal.

Kitten scratching

The process of raising a kitten involves correcting unwanted behavior. How to make a kitten be affectionate and not scratch in games? There are several techniques :

If the baby gets playful and starts scratching, then spray him with water from a spray bottle.
After the bite, begin to ignore the baby. You can be in the same room with him, but not pay attention to him, so he will understand that his behavior is unacceptable.
You can trim the animal's claws. For the first time, it is better to carry out this procedure in a veterinary clinic.
You can train a cat using special silicone caps for claws; with them, he will not be able to cause injuries.

The baby will grow up, but if he is not weaned from scratching in childhood, then this habit will continue with age. Therefore, you need to think about how to raise a cat even before purchasing an animal. An affectionate pet will purr on its knees and not release its claws.

Basic principles of interaction with an independent adult cat

The appearance of an experienced adult animal in the house is always associated with the risk of confrontation between it and the new owner. Veterinary psychologists were able to identify several rules for the owners of such cats, following which the complex nature of the pet can be slightly softened:

You should remain calm under any circumstances. It just so happens that an adult cat with a difficult past is unlikely to ever be able to become an affectionate and playful pet. If life has strengthened his character, he will often and scrupulously test the strength of his master, as if bringing him to emotions. Lack of trust in human kindness and affection is difficult to restore. The cat can mark corners, tear up furniture and openly ask for a spanking. You should treat such outbursts with understanding, never physically punish the animal or raise your voice. Strictness, iron grip and care will be good helpers in communicating with such pets.
You should never look straight at a cat. In the animal world, such a maneuver is interpreted as a challenge and a struggle for dominance. The owner has absolutely no need to prove who is in charge in the apartment. If a cat allows itself to be stroked, there is no need to make sudden movements, speak loudly and closely observe its reaction. It’s better to do it casually, as if such affection has long been in the order of things. It is quite possible that this will happen soon.
Do not touch your cat in places where it is uncomfortable. You can only find out her preferences through experience, and the pet definitely won’t like it. Areas that rarely cause discomfort are the area between the ears, under the chin and the bridge of the nose. Touching the stomach and the area at the base of the tail will definitely cause negativity. If the cat is an adult, has a history of trauma or abuse, you need to be especially careful to monitor its reactions. It is quite possible that even “pleasant” areas will be prohibited for affection.
Daily grooming will help build friendships. You need to choose a procedure that your cat will like. Perhaps this will be a daily combing of the fur and a calm conversation at the same time. Carefully monitor the reaction to each action and do not delay the process, even if it brings pleasure to both the owner and the cat.
Rewarding good behavior. At the stage of leveling up a difficult character, it is important to regularly reinforce trust and praise the cat, encouraging him with treats. Even if the glimpses of trust are very small, for example, a pet wants to sit next to you, it is still worth encouraging. In the end, it will come to sitting on your knees and asking for affection, but after some time.

The best motivators for interaction are games and toys. Maintaining the hunting instinct helps to establish friendly relations like nothing else. And patience and acceptance of your pet’s character will help you achieve a positive result faster.

Body language - cat habits

In order to understand a cat, it is important to know its body language. The pet will not convey its emotions and mood in words, but it will definitely make it clear whether it is happy or angry.

If a cat wags its tail, its skin twitches - this is a sign of dissatisfaction.
She arches her back, snorts, hisses - she is afraid and ready for aggressive actions. It is better to leave the animal alone and wait until it calms down.
The pet presses its ears to its head, hisses or growls - it can hardly restrain itself and is ready to attack. This is not a game, in this state the cat is ready for a fight.
Purrs and rubs against the owner - expresses love and devotion, asks for affection.
Touches or lightly hits a person's hand with a paw without extended claws, the cat is ready for play and asks for it.

Height

For an animal to be sociable and trusting, it must feel completely safe. What will a cat do if it suddenly feels threatened? Most likely, he will run away and climb a tree. Under natural conditions, a cat that has climbed to a height has almost no one to fear. Therefore, you should make sure that your cat has plenty of high places to hide.

Cats do not know how to obey; they are loners by nature.

At what age should you start raising a kitten?

Up to two months, sometimes up to three or four, the kitten remains next to its mother. She feeds him, licks him, teaches him basic hygiene skills. A good cat will definitely teach her child to go to the toilet correctly, and ideally, show her where to sharpen her claws. It will be easier to raise such a pet in a new home and accustom it to a routine.

It is more difficult with a baby found on the street or received from a homeless animal shelter. The main thing in this case is to feed the kitten and help it get stronger. An affectionate, caring attitude is the key to the healthy physiology and psyche of such a pet.

Accustoming to the tray and scratching post must begin from the first days, but carefully, without scolding for mistakes.

From the age of four months, any kitten is already quite active, plays and plays a lot. At this age you can already be strict in your upbringing. It can only be shown by the intonation of the voice, and in no case should physical punishment be used.

At six months or a little later, the pet begins puberty. Both the male and the female may begin to mark the territory, and aggression may occur. If breeding is not planned, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian and have the animal spayed or neutered in time.

Raising an affectionate pet

Often bad character is explained by simple bad manners. From the first days of a kitten's life, you need to raise it patiently but persistently. Inconsistent actions of the owner will cause bewilderment, irritation, and then aggression in the animal. If you allow your cat to sleep on your bed today, and tomorrow you drive it away due to excessive “cheekiness,” then the only thing you can achieve is fear and stress. Such a cat will develop distrust of its owner. Subconsciously, she will wait for a catch and simply won’t go along, expecting a sharp shout or a slap for her sympathy.

It is also necessary to take into account the physiological characteristics of cats. Cats are very sensitive to smells. A strong or unfamiliar aroma can provoke even the most affectionate cat into unusual behavior. An attempt to take your pet with hands smeared with cream, or press it to a perfumed chest, at best will result in flight, at worst - a desire to protect yourself from the “stranger”.

Such behavior that irritates a person, such as scratching furniture and walls, is not only a natural desire to “sharpen” an important tool for a predatory hunter - claws. It turns out that on the paw pads there are glands that secrete a special secretion with which the animal marks its territory.

Trying to wean someone from doing such things using shouting and punishment means getting an angry neurasthenic instead of a pet. It’s better to say firmly, quietly: “You can’t!” - and transfer the cat to the scratching post. Not immediately, but the animal will stop spoiling the furniture and the owner’s nerves. Sometimes loud, demonstrative scratching is the cat’s desire to draw attention to himself.

Often we don’t even understand that some action of a cat signifies his affection and love. If a person trips over a fluffy handsome man who, like in a circus, is trying to walk next to his feet and screams loudly, then instead of irritation at the inconvenience, one should experience a feeling of pride and gratitude.

With a loud meow, the cat expresses joy and greets you. And he rubs against his legs to declare that this person is his, showing his special affection. So maybe we don't understand the signals that "unkind" animals use to express their love to us.

Inappropriate behavior may indicate that the cat is sick, scared, irritated, or offended by lack of attention. To understand a cat correctly, it is worth learning its language.

The most important skills

The main points that a kitten must learn in a new home.

Mode

The baby must learn to live in the rhythm of the new home. To prevent him from waking anyone up at night, you should actively play with him before bed. If a kitten wakes up your household early in the morning, you don’t need to pay attention to its cries - then it will quickly wean itself off the bad habit.

It is necessary to feed the baby at the same time - two or three times a day, depending on age. The feeding place must be permanent. Bowls should always be kept empty and clean between meals.

What is important for the educational process

Remember, as soon as you have a furry family member, you need to raise him right away. Elementary, getting used to a new place, a cup.

It is advisable to immediately show what can be done and what is prohibited. Any adjustment to your pet's behavior should be gentle. Remember, if an adult pet is aggressive and vindictive, it is your fault.

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Mr. Cat recommends: what not to do

If the owner makes mistakes in raising a kitten from the first days of its life in a new home, the pet may develop a negative experience.

The main mistakes owners make when training a baby:

Dirty tray. If the kitten went to the toilet in the wrong place, first of all you need to figure out whose fault it is. The cat is the cleanest animal on the planet. Some individuals will absolutely not go into a dirty tray. Others prefer to walk in two, in one they urinate, in the second they defecate. If the owner is not at home during the day, then you can place several clean litter trays around the room.
Inconsistency of actions. When prohibiting something for a pet, the owner must understand that this “taboo” must always apply. If you once allow a kitten to run around the table, tear furniture, wallpaper, or climb curtains, then punishing it for subsequent similar actions will be illogical and incomprehensible to the baby.
Instilling fear skills. You cannot scream, much less hit your pet. Fear breeds aggression. Mutual understanding in this case will never develop between a person and a cat.

What is unacceptable for a cat

A person sometimes acts thoughtlessly, causing bad feelings in a pet:

You cannot lift an adult animal by the scruff of the neck - this humiliates him;
You cannot pull the tail, whiskers, or front paws - the cat will respond to pain with aggression;
You cannot spank a cat, even as a joke - she will perceive it as an undeserved punishment and will be offended;
do not grab the animal by the lower half of the body - this causes discomfort to the pet;
do not touch the stomach, even an attempt to stroke an unprotected area will provoke a sensitive blow from the claws of the hind paws;
Avoid sharp, loud sounds; a frightened animal will rush to defend itself;
do not claim your favorite place - invading the territory is regarded as an act of aggression.

The main thing in raising an affectionate cat is understanding, patience, love and encouragement. Develop positive emotions in your animal by reinforcing them with treats. Animals cannot immediately understand what is wanted from them. Create a conditioned reflex. If you let yourself be petted, give Murka something “delicious”; if you jump on your knees, treat yourself to your favorite delicacy.

Breeders' advice

The best way to purchase pets is to buy from a nursery. Experienced breeders will always support the new owner with advice on education, help correct behavior, tell you when to contact a veterinarian, and in which cases you can do it yourself.

Worthy breeders always keep an eye on their graduates.

Basic rules that breeders advise to follow:

First of all, the kitten must understand that its role in the house is secondary. If the baby recognizes the authority of the owner, he will obey him and obey him unquestioningly.
Never raise your voice to your pet.
Do not use physical punishment under any circumstances.
To quickly adapt an animal to a new home for two to three days, sometimes even a week, you should act on the principle of “limiting space.” It is better if it is a separate room, at least a hallway, kitchen or balcony. It is important that there are no secluded corners in the room where the cat can hide. There should be a litter box, bowls of water and food, and a house nearby. A pet can and should be allowed into the house and interacted with, but only under supervision.
A cat's house is its burrow, not only and not always a place to sleep, but rather a refuge. The pet must understand that this is its private territory. Therefore, you should never forcefully remove it from there. If the kitten hits him with his paw at this moment or scratches him, he is within his rights. And you can’t scold him for aggression; in this case it is justified.
Never play with a kitten with your bare hands.
If the owner plans to walk the cat on a leash, it should be used to wearing a harness from an early age, carefully and gradually. At first, it is put on without a leash for five minutes, the wearing time increases each time.
The new food and filler should be used consistently, adding a new type to the old one.
You cannot violate the established daily routine. To do this, be sure to play with the kitten, especially in the evening before bed. Physical fatigue will promote sound sleep.
Closely monitor your cat's health. Sometimes unjustified aggression and inappropriate behavior are a sign of illness.
Always love and understand your pet. Mutual respect is one of the foundations of excellent parenting.

Who is the head in this house

All people understand that they are stronger, smarter and bigger, but often the reason for restraint on the part of a cat is the awareness of the same thing. And if the owner demonstrates that he is in charge at every opportunity, then you should not be surprised that the cat will feel uncomfortable.

Let the cat at least sometimes feel like a mistress.

Do not forget that cats living in natural conditions are loners, and if they feel that they are being subjugated, they simply leave their territory to where they will be the absolute masters. A domestic cat cannot do this, so it only experiences aggression and stress. There is no need to confuse dogs and cats. Under no circumstances should dogs be placed on the same level as you, but a cat will be more affectionate the more self-confident she feels.

To make a cat become affectionate, you should try hard.

Therefore, it is better to be careful with manifestations of your superiority and various punishments: an increasingly frightened cat is almost unable to perceive information. However, you shouldn’t spoil your pet either. You should not confuse an affectionate cat with an insolent one. It is quite enough to simply control yourself and not stoop to shouting, coercion and punishment.

By being patient and having free time, you can make even the most inert cat affectionate and trusting.

The main weapon should be cunning and persuasion. If a cat has done something wrong, you can pretend to be a big cat and hiss, but if she has done something right, she must be praised.

The right ways to adapt

When a kitten leaves the house where he was born and lived next to his mother, he experiences the greatest stress in his still small life. The owner’s task is not to aggravate it, but to help him get out of a depressed state easily and quickly.

To do this you need to follow simple rules:

Organize the correct feeding, sleeping, and playing schedule for the baby and under no circumstances disturb it.
In the first months of life in a new home, limit visits to friends and noisy companies. Your pet should be accustomed to new people gradually and only after it has fully adapted.
Under no circumstances should you change the food or type of filler in the first days. This will add to the baby's stress.
Take a piece of bedding with the mother's scent from the nursery and put it in the new house. This will make the adaptation process easier.
A handful of litter from an old litter box will also help your pet quickly learn the new litter box.
If you plan to have another animal in the house, it is better to either bring both of them at once or wait until the kitten fully adapts (up to six months).
To train a dog to use a scratching post, you can use valerian, catnip, and special sprays with phermones. In order to wean a child from sharpening his claws in prohibited places, vinegar, citrus fruits or perfumes with strong odors are often used.
Toilet training must be introduced from the first minutes of life in a new home.
Listen to the advice of the breeder, contact the nursery first of all with all questions.
Do not scream or hit your pet. The correct punishment is a remark made in a stern tone. It is acceptable to use a spray bottle of water, a light slap on the nose, or a light blow with a rolled-up newspaper.
The following action by the owner helps a lot. If your baby breaks the rules, you can pick him up and lightly blow on his nose. This is not painful or dangerous, but it is very unpleasant for cats, just like a light slap on the lobe.

How to accustom a cat to hands and affection

If you want cat affection, become patient and affectionate yourself. An outdoor cat will begin to trust a person when it gets used to his smell and voice. He will associate his appearance with a pleasant event (food, affection).

A wild cat is tamed in the same way as a kitten. First, treats are brought regularly. Then they hold out their palm with a piece of the most delicious thing (the delicacy lies in the center of the palm, not on the fingers!), and allow it to be sniffed. When the cat begins to approach, perhaps rubs its head on its leg, you can pet it in response, speaking calmly and affectionately.

A common mistake: in order to tame a cat at home, he is immediately locked in a room - the animal will try to escape as soon as it is freed.

You can call the cat with you, after a few meters, stop, praise, and give a treat again. The main thing is that if you come, give her the opportunity to leave. Without feeling afraid, the pet will return.

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