The experiences kittens go through during the first few months of their life are key. In this article, we will go over the importance of the first months of a kitten's life.
A kitten's first few months: learning with their mother
A kitten's very first—and best—teacher is their mother. When kittens are still young, their mothers teach them everything they need to know. For example, kittens learn how to groom themselves and how to identify potential dangers. A cat's personality is forged during the first few months of their life.
A kitten's behavior and sociability
A cat's definitive character and the sociability forms between the second and seventh week of their life. If they are taught to accept human contact during this period, it's likely that they will be properly socialized as adult. To help your kitten feel like part of the family, speak to them, caress them, and handle them with care when they are young.
The most important lessons for a kitten
Around eight weeks, a kitten will have nothing else to learn from their mother. After that, you will have to take the reigns. Your role will consist of teaching them to live in harmony with humans. In general, all good behavior should be rewarded with affection and kind words. However, if your kitten is naughty, be careful not to yell at them. This will only scare them. Instead, if your cat is being naughty, speak to them in a firm tone. They will quickly understand the difference between what is allowed and what isn't.
Learning about everything, even the simplest things
What is normal for you isn't exactly normal for your kitten. They need to get accustomed to your daily life. Simple things like a car trip or a vacuum could be terrifying for a kitten. However, if they are regularly confronted with it, they will soon realize that it isn't dangerous. They will no longer be afraid.
This is also the case for cat food. It's important to expose your kitten to a maximum of flavors and textures when they are still young. Otherwise, you could find it difficult to vary their diet as adults. Fortunately, there are some brands that propose numerous flavors and provide kittens with all of their nutritional needs while allowing them to enjoy their meal.
Keep in mind
The advice given on this page is not intended to replace that of a veterinarian. Consult your veterinarian, who will adapt our advice to your kitten.
This article might also interest you: Welcoming home a new kitten
Have you recently adopted a kitten?
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Moore H