Difference between revisions of "Feline Socialisation"

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{{KeyPoints
 
{{KeyPoints
 
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*Early experience during the sensitive period affects the way a cat interacts with people and other animals.
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*It also affected a cat's tolerance of a range of stimuli and events that are potential stressors in a domestic environment.
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*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.
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*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.
 
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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.
 
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Karsh and Turner (1998) identified the sensitive period in cats was during the period between the 2nd the 7th week of age<ref>Turner, D.C. & Bateson, P. (1986) The domestic at; the biology of its behaviour. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. </ref>. 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<ref>Collard, R.R. (1967) Fear of strangers and play behavior in kittens with varied social experience. Child Development. 38, 877-891.</ref>. Higher levels of handling were associated with better adult outcomes in terms of fearful behaviour around people. 
 
  
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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.
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==Introduction==
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In cats, the sensitive period is from the 2nd to the 7th week of age, and is a time when kittens are exceptionally receptive to novelty, enabling them to habituate to a wide range of situations and to develop a multi-species identity through social referencing with other species (including humans).  
  
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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.
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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. The amount of human handling and the number of human handlers a kitten experiences during this period has been shown to affect approach behaviour to familiar and unfamiliar people, as well as attempts to escape from people<ref>Collard, R.R. (1967) Fear of strangers and play behavior in kittens with varied social experience. Child Development. 38, 877-891.</ref>. Higher levels of handling were associated with reduced fear of people.
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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).
 
  
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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.
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In one study, kittens exposed to a programme of enhanced socialisation were compared with a normally socialised group (control). 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, through to the 9th week of age<ref>Casey, R., Bradshaw, J.W.S. (2008) The effects of additional socialisation for kittens in a rescue centre on their behaviour and suitability as a pet. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 114, 196 – 205.</ref>. Cats that had been given enhanced socialisation showed lower rates of fear responses towards people at 1 year of age, and their owners reported higher scores for “emotional support”, which is an indication of a better owner-pet bond. Regular gentle handling of kittens during the first six weeks of life has been shown to be associated with precocious development and novelty seeking, with kittens being more likely to approach novel objects and people<ref>Meier, G.W. (1961) Infantile handling an development in Siamese kittens. Journal of Comparative Physiology and Psychology. 54, 284-286.</ref><ref>Wilson, M., Warren, J.M., Abbott, L. (1965) Infantile stimulation, activity and learning by cats. Child Development. 36; 843-853.</ref>.
  
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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.
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==Kitten Kindy==
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Socialisation clases for kittens were pioneered in Australia by Kersti Seksel, under the title "Kitten Kindy". Apart from enabling social interaction between kittens, they are also an opportunity to teach owners about cat behaviour and social interactions, as well as providing basic information about diet, grooming, feeding and preventative health. These classes should be restricted to weekly sessions for kittens of 7 to 14 weeks of age<ref>Seksel K. (2001) Training your cat. Hyland House, Melbourne, Australia.</ref>, due to the risk of decease transmission. During classes kittens are also exposed to a wide variety of stimuli including different people, sounds, and handling. Although at this age the sensitive period is already finished, kittens can still benefit from learning to cope with mild stress events, and classically conditioned positive emotional responses.
  
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==Preventing Frustration-Related Aggression Towards People==
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==Breeders and Transfer to the New Home==
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Hand rearing of kittens should mirror natural weaning as seen in domestic cats:
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It is typical for the breeders of pedigree kittens to home them at 13 weeks of age or older, due to concerns about infectious disease and vaccination status. However, unless the breeder provides kittens with an enriched environment and opportunities to interact with a wide range of unfamiliar people then it is likely that fear and anxiety problems will develop. This tendency to home kittens long after the sensitive period has finished is a potential underlying factor in the apparently increased prevalence of stress-related problems in some oriental breeds of cat.
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*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.
 
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*By 3 weeks of age some feeds should end before the kitten is fully satiated and some meals should be replaced with solid food.
 
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*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.
 
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*Dried food is also made available.
 
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*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.
 
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*Direct human involvement in feeding is phased out over this period, in favour of play.
 
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*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.
 
  
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The minimum safe age for homing both kittens and puppies should probably be considered to be 8 weeks of age, when they are able to live independently from the mother and can survive on solid food.
  
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==References==
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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.
 
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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.
 
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*Early experience during the sensitive period affects the way a cat interacts with people.
 
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*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.
 
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*Fear-related aggression towards people in the home is treated using desensitisation and counter-conditioning procedures, often supported by pheromonotherapy.
 
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[[Inappropriate Elimination - Cat#Introduction|House/litter training]]
 
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{{unfinished}}
 
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[[Category:To Do - Behaviour GGP]]
 
 
[[Category:Normal Feline Behaviour]]
 
[[Category:Normal Feline Behaviour]]
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[[Category:JBowen prereview]]
 

Latest revision as of 09:45, 16 July 2015

Key Points

  • Early experience during the sensitive period affects the way a cat interacts with people and other animals.
  • It also affected a cat's tolerance of a range of stimuli and events that are potential stressors in a domestic environment.
  • 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.

Introduction

In cats, the sensitive period is from the 2nd to the 7th week of age, and is a time when kittens are exceptionally receptive to novelty, enabling them to habituate to a wide range of situations and to develop a multi-species identity through social referencing with other species (including humans).

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. The amount of human handling and the number of human handlers a kitten experiences during this period has been shown to affect approach behaviour to familiar and unfamiliar people, as well as attempts to escape from people[1]. Higher levels of handling were associated with reduced fear of people.

In one study, kittens exposed to a programme of enhanced socialisation were compared with a normally socialised group (control). 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, through to the 9th week of age[2]. Cats that had been given enhanced socialisation showed lower rates of fear responses towards people at 1 year of age, and their owners reported higher scores for “emotional support”, which is an indication of a better owner-pet bond. Regular gentle handling of kittens during the first six weeks of life has been shown to be associated with precocious development and novelty seeking, with kittens being more likely to approach novel objects and people[3][4].

Kitten Kindy

Socialisation clases for kittens were pioneered in Australia by Kersti Seksel, under the title "Kitten Kindy". Apart from enabling social interaction between kittens, they are also an opportunity to teach owners about cat behaviour and social interactions, as well as providing basic information about diet, grooming, feeding and preventative health. These classes should be restricted to weekly sessions for kittens of 7 to 14 weeks of age[5], due to the risk of decease transmission. During classes kittens are also exposed to a wide variety of stimuli including different people, sounds, and handling. Although at this age the sensitive period is already finished, kittens can still benefit from learning to cope with mild stress events, and classically conditioned positive emotional responses.

Breeders and Transfer to the New Home

It is typical for the breeders of pedigree kittens to home them at 13 weeks of age or older, due to concerns about infectious disease and vaccination status. However, unless the breeder provides kittens with an enriched environment and opportunities to interact with a wide range of unfamiliar people then it is likely that fear and anxiety problems will develop. This tendency to home kittens long after the sensitive period has finished is a potential underlying factor in the apparently increased prevalence of stress-related problems in some oriental breeds of cat.

The minimum safe age for homing both kittens and puppies should probably be considered to be 8 weeks of age, when they are able to live independently from the mother and can survive on solid food.

References

  1. ↑ Collard, R.R. (1967) Fear of strangers and play behavior in kittens with varied social experience. Child Development. 38, 877-891.
  2. ↑ Casey, R., Bradshaw, J.W.S. (2008) The effects of additional socialisation for kittens in a rescue centre on their behaviour and suitability as a pet. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 114, 196 – 205.
  3. ↑ Meier, G.W. (1961) Infantile handling an development in Siamese kittens. Journal of Comparative Physiology and Psychology. 54, 284-286.
  4. ↑ Wilson, M., Warren, J.M., Abbott, L. (1965) Infantile stimulation, activity and learning by cats. Child Development. 36; 843-853.
  5. ↑ Seksel K. (2001) Training your cat. Hyland House, Melbourne, Australia.



This article has been written and expert reviewed by Jon Bowen BVetMed DipAS(CABC) MRCVS.

Date reviewed: September 9, 2014


The creation of this content was made possible by Ceva Santé Animale as part of the feline behaviour project. Ceva logo.jpg


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