Changes

==Prevention==

==Prevention==

As with dogs, the mainstay of prevention of emotional problems in cats is proper socialisation and habituations to stimuli during the sensitive period of development. However, the [[Feline Socialisation|sensitive socialisation period]] in cats ends at around 6-7 weeks of age, when kittens are typically still with the breeder. It is therefore essential that breeders take primary responsibility for providing appropriate socialisation and habituation of very small kittens. To develop properly, kittens must meet a wide variety of people and other animals, and be exposed to a wide range of noises and everyday events that are typical of what they will experience in a family home. The greater the discrepancy between the rearing environment and the environment the cat will live in as an adult, the greater the risk of a behavioural problem.

As with dogs, the mainstay of prevention of emotional problems in cats is proper [[Feline Socialisation|socialisation]] and habituations to stimuli during the sensitive period of development. However, the [[Feline Socialisation|sensitive socialisation period]] in cats ends at around 6-7 weeks of age, when kittens are typically still with the breeder. It is therefore essential that breeders take primary responsibility for providing appropriate socialisation and habituation of very small kittens. To develop properly, kittens must meet a wide variety of people and other animals, and be exposed to a wide range of noises and everyday events that are typical of what they will experience in a family home. The greater the discrepancy between the rearing environment and the environment the cat will live in as an adult, the greater the risk of a behavioural problem.

A common set of guidelines for owners could include:

A common set of guidelines for owners could include: