Advice for Breeders 127
Socialization with other animals
Regular positive encounters with other species that the kittens may later go on to live
with, such as dogs, are also advisable. As with other cats, a dog in the household
where the kittens are raised should be well socialized and friendly with cats and peo-
ple, be non-threatening to the kittens and well accepted by the mother cat. However,
it is also important to be aware that, owing to the tremendous variation between
different dog breeds and types, the full effect of early socialization with dogs might
be limited to dogs of a similar size and breed type.
Socialization with people
Positive early socialization with a variety of people is essential if the kittens are intended
to be companion animals. It is also important that this is commenced prior to 7 weeks
of age and is done correctly. Too much handling, rough or inappropriate handling or any
interaction with the kittens that causes the mother cat to feel that they may be at threat
is more likely to instil fear and avoidance. The following, adapted from Casey and
Bradshaw (2008), can be used as a guide as to how the kittens should be handled.
Under 2 weeks of age:
● To avoid distressing the mother cat, the kittens should only be handled minimally
by the person the queen is most comfortable with.
From 2 weeks of age:
● Handling should be restricted to people that the mother cat knows and is happy with.
● Talk to the kittens whilst stroking them.
● Pick up each kitten individually and cradle in the hands for a few seconds before
replacing back with mother and littermates.
From 3 weeks of age:
● Still restrict handling to people that the mother cat already knows and trusts.
● Talk to and stroke the kittens.
● Pick each one up and hold for approximately 30–60 seconds, stroking all over the
body. But if the kitten or mother cat appears distressed put the kitten back down
or allow it to sit on your lap rather than being held in your hands.
From 4 weeks of age:
● Allow other people to handle the kittens; however, strangers should interact with
the mother cat first. If she appears fearful or aggressive towards them, allow time
for her to become accustomed to them before allowing them to handle her kittens.
If she remains fearful and defensive, handling of the kittens should occur away
from the mother but within the presence of other littermates.
● Gradually increase length of handling to 2–3 minutes at a time.
From 5 weeks:
● Increase handling to 5 minutes or more and introduce playing with a wand toy or similar.
● Repeat several times daily, with a variety of people.