The nuances of raising a kitten and the most common mistakes

Cats acquire basic habits and character traits at an early age. Up to 3 months, the pet learns to independently satisfy its needs and communicate with household members, finds out its own status in the family and actively masters the rules of neighborhood with people. Any mistake when raising a kitten can develop into a serious problem in the future.

• 2 Mode
• 3 Place to sleep
• 4 Feeding
• 5 Tray training
• 6 Scratching post
• 7 Games
• 8 Hand training
• 9 Punishment
• 10 Walks
• 11 Personal experience of experts and animal owners

Name

Name training helps create a bond between pet and owner. If a cat responds well to its name, it will understand when it is addressed. This makes it easier to unlearn bad habits. In the process, the animal becomes more affectionate and begins to trust members of the household as a result of positive reinforcement.

A cat will get used to its name faster if it contains whistling or soft sounds: “sh”, “sch”, “z”, “s” and “ch”. For a pet, such consonance is more pleasant and easier to distinguish from other words.

For training, you need to use treats. You should sit next to the kitten when he is relaxed and offer him a treat. First, the pet must taste the food. Then you need to say the kitten’s name and give him another piece. You can pet your pet while he eats if he doesn't mind. You should avoid tactile contact while eating if the kitten reacts negatively to it. The actions need to be repeated several times: again tenderly say the name and give a treat. Training sessions should be short but frequent as cats get tired easily.

Kittens from the nursery are given names by breeders, and they must begin with one letter, but nothing prevents you from changing the nickname to a double one or calling your pet differently

Subsequently, the kitten begins to be called from a greater distance, gradually increasing the distance. When the animal comes at the first call, you can start giving treats every other time. Affection can also be a reward. Ideally, treats are gradually removed altogether, but this is not always possible. For example, my cat periodically refuses to respond to a call and waits until they begin to persuade her and offer her treats. It is advisable to avoid such situations: if the pet once understands that it can manipulate the owner, this will continue. I had to make a compromise with my cat: I offer treats almost always, but she comes the first time. You shouldn’t call your pet twice, otherwise it will then ignore half the commands.

Congenital features

By nature, every cat is a proud and affectionate animal, obeying its owner only for practical reasons. Innate egoism lies in the response to the actions of the “big brother”. If his behavior is hostile, the baby, and then the adult, will be withdrawn and aggressive.

Practicality is manifested in the fact that the kitten will never perform manipulations that do not benefit it. Therefore, one of the methods of education is to portray any negative action in an unfavorable, useless light. Then it’s worth showing another, more attractive pastime.

Mode

By nature, cats are nocturnal animals. This creates a lot of inconvenience. When the owners come home from work and go to bed, the pet begins to play pranks, play and make noise. As a result, tired owners are forced to wake up to calm their pet down. Fortunately, cats have spent a lot of time around people and have adapted to our routine, so retraining the animal is not difficult.

It is advisable to ensure that your pet's peak activity occurs during the daytime. To do this, you need to play with your pet more often. It is recommended to take a vacation while studying. If this is not possible, you should study with your baby in the evening. A tired kitten will be more willing to sleep at night.

The kitten can be very persistent, but it is strongly recommended not to get up even to punish him: the animal may perceive this as a game

Most often, these measures are not enough. The kids still wake up the owners, but closer to the morning. Kittens can be very intrusive: they sit in front of the bed and meow loudly, start running and jumping on the bed, and can scratch and play with the hands and feet of household members. It is important to ignore any attempts by your pet. After just a few days, the kitten will understand that you are not going to get up at night, so it will stop waking you up.

My cat, when she was little, at first behaved quietly at night, but then after one incident I had to “fight” with her for a long time to change the regime. One day I got up in the middle of the night because I was thirsty. The cat rubbed against her legs and begged for affection in every possible way. I couldn't resist and stroked it. The favorite instantly drew me into the game. This lasted no more than a minute, then I went to bed, but this was enough for the cat to persistently try to wake me up at night for another month. If I gave in one more time, most likely, this habit would be firmly entrenched.

Some advice from experienced breeders

The rules of upbringing and training were developed over the years of close attention to representatives of the furry kingdom. Here are the results of many years of work:

• Educational activities are initiated from the first day of joint stay in the apartment/house.
• Do not encourage the kitten's familiar attitude, show that you are the master of the situation here and demand that certain rules be followed.
• Taboo on aggressive behavior and the use of brute physical force.
• Do not intimidate your pet with loud screams or sudden movements of the limbs.
• A proud pet will not tolerate humiliation. If you poked your nose into his puddle, this will cause an outbreak of resentment and vendetta in the future.
• A kind attitude will help raise a kitten to be affectionate and tame.
• The cat's perception acutely senses your emotional state and voice accompaniment. Therefore, to indicate an error, a sharp “chopped” phrase is enough: “You can’t!”, “No!”, “Scram!”
• The mental abilities of cats are at a high level, but acquiring skills, habits and abilities will take time and effort.

Place to sleep

The cat must have its own territory. It allows the animal to feel safe and relieves stress associated with excessive attention from the owners. The best option is a spacious cage. It may well not be a prison, but a big house, if you gently accustom your pet to it. This needs to be done gradually and from childhood. You cannot force a kitten to be locked in a cage, otherwise negative associations will appear. The advantages of such a house are obvious: you can leave your pet in it without fear for repairs and the life of the baby.

Everyone has to decide for themselves whether to let a kitten on the bed; if the animal does not walk outside, it is relatively safe, but you will have to put up with the pet’s shedding

Most often, kittens do not have to be accustomed to standard houses, beds and play trees. Animals like such shelters, so they occupy them on their own. It is important to choose a house that the kitten will like. Some pets prefer to watch what is happening from above, while others require a confined space. If the kitten does not want to relax in the house, you need to move toys there to attract the baby’s attention. You can use a special spray.

How to deal with cat aggression

What should you do if your beloved furry pet bites, scratches, or gets into trouble with other pets? Such behavior may indicate a lack of attention from the owner or the animal’s desire to assert a leading position.

In such cases, the best method of training is to ignore the cat. It is recommended to strictly explain to the animal that this cannot be done and not to communicate or play with it for several hours.

Feeding

For cats, food is a resource that is distributed by the leader. With the help of food, you can demonstrate your own position in the hierarchical ladder. It is advisable to teach the kitten at least simple commands and practice them before feeding. This will create the impression that the baby not only received food, but deserved it. Developing patience is encouraged: you can fill the bowl and force the cat to sit near it until the permission command is given.

Clickers are often used as an aid in training cats and kittens.

It is strictly forbidden to give pets food from the table. This is associated not only with health hazards, but also with an increased risk of reinforcing the habit. Some cats start stealing food from the table. You should not allow your pet to manipulate itself in order to obtain treats or extra portions of food. You should feed according to a schedule or give your companion free access to food.

Sharpening our claws on the sofa...

Fluffy claws need constant care, as this creates the possibility of unforeseen situations.

However, even clipped limbs “itch” and the kitten has to get rid of the itch in any way possible.

The solution to the problem with education would be to purchase scratching posts that differ in material and manner of execution. It is important to introduce the simpleton to the new rules of the game - bring his paw to the surface of the tool and show him how to start using it. Soon the need for accompaniment will disappear, and the baby will independently “take out his anger” on a soulless object.

If the kitten, even if you have a scratching post, continues to scratch the furniture, stop it. Say the word “No” as strictly as possible. Since furries are very sensitive to the tone of their voice, this simple method will work quite well if you have the right level of authority.

Some recommend spraying orange scent or leaving a crust at “crime scenes.” For a pet, the smell of citrus fruits is intolerable, so training will speed up the pace.

Tray training

From responsible breeders, little kittens usually learn to relieve themselves in a litter box even before moving to a new home. This is facilitated by the mother’s personal example. Often, even well-mannered kittens get lost when they find themselves in new conditions and stop going to the litter box. To remind your pet of the rules, you should pour in his usual litter, use a spray, or place a scent mark under the grill. For example, scraps of paper soaked in the left puddle will do. They can be removed later.

Kittens that are locked in a cage by their owners during their absence become accustomed to the litter box very quickly: due to the limited territory, the choice is not so wide

If the kitten sees the litter box for the first time, you will have to do the training yourself. In those moments when the baby is about to relieve himself, it is necessary to move him to the appropriate place. Surely the pet will try to get out of the tray. There is no need to forcefully hold the kitten. You should gently interfere, while stroking and calming the baby.

You cannot punish a kitten for mistakes: negative influence at an early age is ineffective and will only lead to a deterioration in the relationship. In addition, the baby can interpret what is happening in his own way and decide, for example, that puddles and piles simply need to be hidden better. You cannot transfer the kitten to the tray if it is already relieving itself. This will scare him and may cause negative associations.

How to stop a kitten from chewing plants

In most cases, cats begin to chew indoor plants not because of their malicious nature or lack of upbringing, but because of a deficiency of vitamins. This problem can be solved by providing the kitten with a properly balanced diet and fortified supplements appropriate for its age category.

You can also plant special grass for cats on the windowsill, the seeds of which are sold at any pet store. You can stop a kitten from gnawing indoor flowers using a spray bottle or the same loud clap of your hands. It should be remembered that some indoor plants are poisonous and dangerous for the baby, so just in case, they should be removed where the kitten cannot reach them.

scratching post

Sharpening claws is not a whim, but a necessity. In the process, the cat manages to relax, hone its skills in retracting and releasing the plates, and also remove excess layers of tissue. If your pet does not have a scratching post, he will begin to damage furniture and walls.

The main mistake owners make when training is choosing the wrong scratching post. It should match the pet's preferences. Observe your ward: some companions like vertical surfaces, others like horizontal ones, and others like inclined plates. Large cats need fairly high posts. Some animals prefer special furniture pads.

If a bad habit has already taken hold, you can cover the kitten’s favorite surfaces with foil to make them less attractive; personal presence is required as the pet may swallow the packaging

In order for the kitten to understand what he needs to do, you should carefully take him by the front paws and place them on the scratching post. Most often this is enough. If your baby has a negative attitude towards touch, you can show him a personal example and scratch your fingers on the surface. Spray is allowed.

Nail sharpener

Both kittens and adult cats love to sharpen their claws. The owner of the animal should make sure that it does not do this against furniture or wallpaper. To do this, the baby needs to purchase a special scratching post and teach how to use it (read how to accustom a kitten to a scratching post).

This is done simply. You just need to place your baby's paws on the surface of the scratching post so that he can feel how his claws cling to it. Soon the kitten will be happy to use this toy.

But what to do in cases where the baby still prefers the upholstery of a sofa or apartment wall to a scratching post? In such a situation, you should strictly explain to the kitten that this cannot be done and take it to the scratching post.

In addition, you can treat the furniture with orange peel. Cats don't like the smell of citrus fruits, so this simple trick will help stop your kitten from ruining your apartment's decor.

Games

Games allow cats to realize their hunting instinct and throw out excess energy, which helps save property and repairs. Most pets prefer fishing rods with feathers and mice, but some like balls, bouncy posts, mazes and other accessories. When choosing, you should start from the preferences of your pet. Play sessions should be short but frequent. It is advisable to pay attention to your companion at least 2-3 times a day.

Interactive toys are suitable for those pet owners who are away from home for a long time

You cannot play with the kitten with your hands and feet. Later, an adult cat will do the same and can injure the household. The most dangerous games are those that the pet imposes on itself. For example, hunting for legs. Such activities should be stopped immediately. Feeding and play must be initiated by the owner, otherwise the pet may decide that it occupies the highest status in the hierarchical ladder.

The character of kittens is influenced by many factors, and even their mother’s nutrition matters.

Veterinarian Sophia Yin says in her blog that if a cat is malnourished during pregnancy, the offspring may have brain defects. Such kittens may grow into aggressive or overly fearful animals in the future. If you are planning in advance to adopt a kitten from a specific person, make sure that the mother cat receives adequate nutrition, rich in proteins and vitamins.

Hand training

Hand training begins at an early age. The babies are petted and offered permitted treats. This allows you to form positive associations. You can only pick up a kitten if it does not protest. Overly intrusive attempts at training can cause a negative reaction.

I had experience in breeding cats and from my impressions I can say that not all pets like to sit in their arms. You just have to accept it. You can correct the kitten’s reaction if you do not behave intrusively and make it clear that you can be trusted, but if the cat categorically does not like such tenderness, it is unlikely that it will ever change its mind. Some kittens are very affectionate from childhood and constantly strive to get into your arms, others prefer to keep their distance. The latter are less intrusive, which can also be called an advantage. In any case, even those cats that do not like to be held can be very affectionate.

What to do if your pet turns over the apartment?

It is important to understand that such behavior cannot be left to chance. Remember that you are raising a small predator that needs a special approach. On the other hand, cats are very good-natured and open to people, which means they need care and affection. They say that you can only punish a pet directly at the moment of mischief. For example, if it is on the kitchen table. And then, it’s better to simply prevent this by attaching foil to the table. Raising a kitten requires a little more attention. If you notice that your baby can’t find a place for himself, just keep him busy with games. There should be no dangerous objects at home while you are away. Provide your pet with toys.

Punishment

You can punish a kitten either by redistributing resources or by doing it like a cat. The first method involves ignoring the pet. It is perceived by the most sociable animals. For example, during the game the cat bit you. At this moment, you should stop having fun and go about your business. This way you will let the kitten understand that you will only play by your own rules.

The spray can be used if a teenager with a tendency towards dominant behavior shows open aggression

The second method is close to natural. It is suitable for teenage kittens who actively demonstrate their disagreement and are trying to achieve a higher status. The animal must be grabbed by the withers and pressed to the floor. This should be done carefully to avoid injury. The cat is held until it stops resisting and meowing. If you let your pet go too early, he will think he has won. This is a rather harsh method: in the process, you point the animal to its place in the pack. It is not used on cats that show submission.

It is forbidden to hit kittens or shout at them. This will only cause increased stress in the animal and undermine the relationship with the owner. After such punishments, in most cases the problems only get worse.

Raising a kitten aged 2 months

Upon reaching this period, as we have already said, a small pet should be able to walk in a diaper. Moreover, it is important to try to develop the skill at such a level that the animal does the job in one place. When choosing a tray, look at options with a removable side or inexpensive low devices. You need to raise a cat for less than 3 months without punishment. But even later you cannot use physical methods of influence, sharp and loud screams. This can simply scare your pet.

At the age of 2-3 months, most behavioral skills are formed. The kitten learns to interact with the environment, which is influenced by both the owner and the environment. The place of residence must be safe. Remove objects that can injure the baby and chemical mixtures. We also recommend setting aside a place for animals, namely for resting, eating and toileting. Of course, they shouldn't be nearby. Special baskets that can be placed near the battery are perfect for sleeping. There may be several such options for recreation. If you have a wide window sill, then you can lay a bedding on it. There the pet will rest during the day. You can, for starters, watch the cat. See where it will be more convenient for him to sit.

Walks

In general, cats do not need walks, but if you wish, you can use a harness for control and take your pet outside if there is a fenced area. An animal that has never been outside the house may react warily and remain in one place or run back and forth. This is fine. Take your time and be patient, allowing the cat to explore the surroundings and get used to the environment.

You should not try to stir up your pet. A kitten is not a puppy. The latter love active pastime. Cats prefer to quietly bask in the sun's rays and watch what is happening around them. It is strictly forbidden to let an animal go outside without supervision and control. Cats obey less well than dogs, so if they are frightened, even in the personal presence of the owner, they can run away and get lost. On the street, a pet can get hit by a car, become a victim of dogs, freeze, die from hunger, or contract an infection.

Fundamental Concepts

Raising a kitten is a painstaking process in which much depends on the owner. From an early age, it is worthwhile to instill in an animal the norms and rules of behavior that can become acquired instincts in the future.

© shutterstock

Many owners perceive a kitten as a self-sufficient and intelligent animal (and this is true), but the basis of their behavior is a program developed during the evolutionary process. Therefore, it is important to start raising a kitten from an early age, which is what we will do now.

For ease of understanding, we will divide the narrative into several thematic blocks.

Sterilization

The absence of a sexual partner certainly does not contribute to affection. Moreover, both females and males suffer to the same extent. Therefore, even before the kitten is brought into the house, you should think about how this problem will be solved. The most reasonable step is castration or sterilization. Such animals, firstly, live much longer and happier, and secondly, without suffering from hormonal storms, the cat will remain gentle and trusting all its life.

A very affectionate cat is a contented cat.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that even if just one of these conditions is ignored, the cat may remain angry. Also, we must not forget about genes. As you know, you can’t crush them with your finger, so if a cat is naturally harsh, then you shouldn’t count on drastic changes. Most likely, she will soften, but not to the extreme.

Wildness, based on genes and childhood experience, may be indeducible. And don’t forget that aggressive behavior on the part of a pet, especially if it appears out of the blue, can be a sign of illness. In this case, you need to contact a veterinarian.

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Results

And in conclusion - how not to raise a kitten.

You can't hit him! He is much weaker and smaller than a person, even the smallest one, and the method of assault does not work for him. Most likely, the pet will respond to physical violence with aggressive behavior. He will not understand why you are punishing him, but he will play mischief in the absence of people and will harbor a grudge.

Just like the mother cat, since you have decided to deal with the kitten, touch the tip of your pet’s nose when he behaves outside the rules. The tone of your speech is important, there is enough severity, but without shouting or beating. Especially from a young age - an adult cat will not react to noise or to petitions; it is better to use the reverse method. Make the pet think that this is her decision.

Basics of raising adult cats

Every living creature is born with a certain set of instincts. People, cats, dogs, hedgehogs and squirrels share a set of skills that allowed the species to survive and evolve - these skills are called unconditioned reflexes (instincts). Some breeds of animals have additional skills literally sewn into the DNA chain, this could be affection towards people, aggression towards relatives, hyperactivity, talkativeness, etc. Unconditioned instincts include:

Self-preservation instincts - food, cleanliness, defensive, indicative, gregarious. In relation to cats, this includes the desire to imitate, hunt, strive for freedom and peace, play, achieve goals.

Procreation instincts; sexual and parenting skills.

A conditioned reflex is a habit or automatic action that is not related to survival or the desire to procreate. Simply put, it is a skill that is useful to you in your daily life. This may include training to use a litter tray, weaning off scratching furniture, etc.

Conditioned reflexes are developed by stimulating unconditioned instincts. Try to stay positive when training your pet, as some cats are vindictive and quite capable of taking revenge. It is optimal to use only a food irritant, but if your pet is not timid, it is worth increasing the “pressure”.