How to Socialize Your Kitten

Early socialization will help your kitten grow up to become a well-adjusted cat who's confident around people. Work with your kitten as soon as possible so it becomes comfortable and secure around you. You'll need to gain the kitten's trust by playing and interacting with it every day. Once the kitten is familiar with you, introduce it to new experiences and interactions.

EditSteps

EditGetting the Kitten Comfortable with You

1. Begin socializing your kitten as soon as its eyes open. Although kittens are blind and deaf for the first few weeks of life, they'll soon start paying attention to their surroundings. Once the kitten's eyes open, you can start to touch and interact with it. This usually happens when the kitten is around 2 weeks old.^[1]
   
   • If the mother cat trusts you, you should be able to touch the kittens starting when they're 3 days old. However, if the mother cat growls, hisses, or seems uneasy about the interaction, it's best to leave the kittens alone.
2. Offer the kitten food so it becomes comfortable with you. Choose a time of day when the kitten is usually hungry and place a small dish of wet cat food in front of it or its open cage. If you prefer, place a little of the wet food on the end of your clean finger and hold it out to the kitten.^[2]
   
   • The kitten will begin develop positive associations between the wet food and you.
   • As the kitten becomes more comfortable with you, it may want to sit in your lap to eat food off of your finger.
3. Pet the kitten's head and shoulders to familiarize the cat with you. Use your index and middle fingers to stroke the kitten's head and shoulders. If the kitten is comfortable with you, place it in your lap or hold it securely in your hands. If the kitten runs away from you, offer it a little food on your finger.^[3]
   
   • Talk with the kitten while you're touching it so it becomes used to the sound of your voice. You can say the kitten's name to build familiarity with it.
4. Distract an anxious mother with some food. If the mother cat shows signs of unease, such as growling or snatching the kitten back when you try to handle it, distract her with some food and talk to her in a calm, reassuring voice.^[4]
   
   • If she wants, let her touch noses with the kitten so she realizes that the kitten is safe.
   • It will also help if you gently pet the kitten and mother so the more gets more comfortable with your scent.
5. Hold the kitten securely to your chest for at least 15 minutes a day. Once the kitten is comfortable with having you touch it, set the kitten on a towel and wrap it around the kitten's body. Pick up the kitten and bring it to your chest. Talk to the kitten as you hold it so the kitten feels safe with you.^[5]
   
   • The more you hold the young kitten, the better. The kitten will be more trusting and easier to socialize.

EditPlaying and Interacting with the Kitten

1. Play with the kitten every day. Make time to play at least 15 minutes with your kitten every day. Playing will keep your kitten active and improve their social skills. If the kitten is very young, play can be as simple as chasing the kitten around and letting it catch you. You can also play hide-and-seek behind a cushion or around a corner.
   
2. Introduce toys into your play when the kitten is 6 or 7 weeks old. Kittens love to play with squeaky toys, cardboard tubes, or small boxes with holes that they can bat. Avoid cat toys that have loose parts or things that could be eaten, such as string or feathers on a wand. ^[6]
   
   • Leave toys out for your kitten to play with when you're not at home.
   • Playing is a great way for your kitten to associate people with fun. It will also build the kitten's confidence.
3. Leave the TV or radio on when you'll be out of the house. If you have to be out of the house for a while, turn on the radio or TV so your cat can listen to common sounds such as music and talking.^[7]
   
   • Try to spend as much time as possible together while your kitten is very young. Early interactions will teach your kitten a lot about acceptable social behaviors.
4. Redirect misbehavior and reward good behavior. Never hit or yell at the kitten if it scratches or bites while you're playing. Instead, pull your hand away and do a mock "hiss" at the kitten. Then start playing a different game. When you see the kitten playing well, give it a reward such as a treat or praise.^[8]
   
   • Remember to speak calmly and softly around the kitten so it feels secure around you.

EditIntroducing Other Cats and Experiences

1. Vaccinate the kitten before it plays with other cats. Your kitten needs a series of vaccinations to protect it against common diseases before it begins socializing with cats. Your kitten needs at least 2 visits to the vet:^[9]
   
   • At 6 to 8 weeks old for rhinotracheitis, calcivirus, panleukopenia and chlamydia vaccinations.
   • At 12 weeks old for the first feline leukemia vaccine and second round of rhinotracheitis, calcivirus, panleukopenia and chlamydia vaccinations.
2. Let your kitten play with other cats. Slowly introduce the kitten to other kittens or cats so none of them feel threatened. At first, the kitten and cats may sniff or groom each other. It's also fine if they stare or hiss at each other. If the cats growl, spit, or make a lot of noise, separate them and introduce them again later.^[10]
   
   • Your kitten and the other cats may interact better if they all have their own places to escape to when they feel anxious.
3. Enlist your friends to play with the kitten. The kitten needs to meet and interact with people of all ages and appearances. Ask friends to come and play with the kitten so it becomes comfortable with having guests in the house and being held by people other than you.^[11]
   
   • If it's your kitten's first interaction with someone, let the kitten approach the person once it feels comfortable. The kitten may sniff or lick the person before they want to be petted.
4. Expose the kitten to as many different experiences as possible. This might include things such as letting it play in the cat carrier, hearing the vacuum cleaner, and going for a car ride. Experiences will teach the kitten not to be frightened of new things in the future.^[12]
   
   • Other experiences include going to the vet, being outside, going to the groomer, and hearing you use tools or appliances.
   • Remember that all of these experiences should be positive ones that don't cause the kitten to feel unnecessary stress or anxiety. When you introduce new things to the kitten, go slowly and give the kitten plenty of space. Reward it for calm behavior, and over time introduce the kitten to the experience more frequently.

EditTips

• Poorly socialized kittens are more likely to be overly cautious and fearful of people or new experiences. Aggressive behavior in a kitten may indicate that it needs to be socialized.
• Be patient if you're socializing an abused kitten. It may take time and patience for the kitten to learn that you're not a threat.

EditThings You'll Need

EditGetting the Kitten Comfortable with You

• Metal crate or cage
• Soft bedding
• Litter tray
• Food, water, and treats

EditPlaying and Interacting with the Kitten

• Toys such as balls, wands, cardboard tubes, boxes with holes
• Treats

EditSources and Citations

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