Feline Socialisation

Key Points

Socialisation and habituation during the sensitive period of development are important in the normal emotional development of cats and in the prevention of behavioural problems. Karsh and Turner (1998) identified the sensitive period in cats was during the period between the 2nd the 7th week of age. During this period kittens readily habituate to environmental stimuli and develop socially referencing to the species that they come into contact with. The daily, and total weekly, amount of human handling, as well as the number of human handlers during this period has been shown to relate to alter approach behaviour to familiar and unfamiliar people, as well as attempts to escape from people. Higher levels of handling were associated with better adult outcomes in terms of fearful behaviour around people.

In a study by Casey et al. (2008), a group of kittens given enhanced socialisation group was compared with a normally socialised group (control), and effects on behavioural problems, fear responses and the emotional bond with the owner were followed up at 1 year of age. Enhanced socialisation included increased handling, manipulation, play and times being taken away from the litter, which extended to the 9th week of age.

This enhanced socialisation was associated with lower rates of fear responses toward people at 1 year of age, compared with the control group. The owners of these kittens also reported higher scores for “emotional support”, which was a previously validated measure of the bond between pet and owner. In a number of studies, regular gentle handling of kittens during the first six weeks of life has been associated with precocious development and novelty seeking, with kittens being more likely to approach novel objects and people (Meier, 1961. Wilson et al., 1965).

In dogs, puppy socialisation classes are now commonplace. Similar classes can be run for kittens. In Australia these were pioneered under the title “Kitten Kindy”. The recommendation is that socialisation classes be restricted to healthy kittens of 7 to 14 weeks of age (Seksel, 2001). The intention of these classes is to increase exposure of kittens to a wide variety of stimuli including different people, and to enable them to engage in social interaction with each other. Although the sensitive period of kittens is at an end, during this period kittens can still learn by classical conditioning and positive reinforcement. If a kitten class is not available, new kittens owners can still follow a similar programme themselves by following Kitten Kindy guidelines.

Despite the fact that kittens, like puppies, can live independently of their mother from as little as 8 weeks of age, it is general practice amongst the breeders of pedigree kittens to home them at 13 weeks of age or older. This is largely due to concerns about infectious disease and vaccination status. However, it places an additional responsibility on the breeder of such kittens to engage in a programme of enhanced socialisation and habituation equivalent to Kitten Kindy. Any mismatch between rearing and domestic environment for these kittens is likely to lead to difficulty adapting to the home environment, increased anxiousness and fearfulness.

Preventing Frustration-Related Aggression Towards People

Hand rearing of kittens should mirror natural weaning as seen in domestic cats:

• Very small amounts of liquidised solid food should be mixed into replacement milk so that the flavour of solid food is familiar before weaning begins.
• By 3 weeks of age some feeds should end before the kitten is fully satiated and some meals should be replaced with solid food.
• The first few solid meals may be composed of a dish of replacement milk with small amounts of solid food placed in it. Gradually the milk is withdrawn for these meals.
• Dried food is also made available.
• From week 4-5 onwards feeding should also begin to involve some aspects of play. Games that involve food finding are a good way to train some simulated predatory behaviour: a fishing toy can be used to playfully lead the kitten to some food treats or a small bowl of food.
• Direct human involvement in feeding is phased out over this period, in favour of play.
• If possible the kitten should be shifted towards activity or automatic feeding. Activity feeders can be made out of old plastic drinks bottles with holes cut in [so that dried food rolls out]. Electronic feeding bowls that automatically uncover a portion of food, or which dispense a small activity ball containing food every hour are another good way to reduce human involvement in feeding.

In cats the primary sensitive period of socialisation is very early, running from approximately 2 to 7 weeks of age. During this time the majority of cats, especially pedigree ones, are with the breeder on their premises and therefore the duty for ensuring that kittens come into society as acceptable companion animals rests largely on the breeder’s shoulders. The potential genetic influence on feline temperament through the boldness trait of the tomcat is a topic that has received a lot of attention in recent years and it is now generally accepted that the temperament of both the queen and the tom are important when deciding on breeding programmes. The fact that kittens can be reliably identified on the basis of the behavioural reactions of the father is evidence for a genetic factor and the boldness trait is believed to be important in enabling kittens to cope with interaction with their environment, both social and physical.

Puppy parties are now a relatively common feature of general practice, but rather less provision is offered to kittens. It is possible to organise kitten parties, although the risks of infectious disease are greater than for puppy parties and the kittens will almost certainly have finished their socialisation period at the time of the party. What may be easier, more practical, and equally worthwhile is to offer clients an educational evening on cat behaviour, to cover aspects of environmental enrichment, handling and social interaction so that kitten owners can properly understand and mould their cat’s behaviour.

• Early experience during the sensitive period affects the way a cat interacts with people.
• A lack of appropriate handling between two and seven weeks of age can lead to defensively aggressive behaviour which can become pre-emptive in situations causing fear.
• Kittens should be reared in complex and stimulating environments with a wide range of noises and contact with people and animals so these do not produce fear, anxiety or stress in the future.
• Fear-related aggression towards people in the home is treated using desensitisation and counter-conditioning procedures, often supported by pheromonotherapy.

House/litter training