The easiest way to tell the difference between a socialized and unsocialized cat is whether they'll let a person touch them. We call the invisible separation between cats who allow touch and cats who will not the “Touch Barrier.”
Exposing a puppy or kitten to a variety of new experiences desensitizes them to unusual sights and smells. Unfortunately if this socialization doesn't occur, small things can set them off. Even seemingly benign things like shopping carts can make these animals cower and run away.
Try using wet food or treats to tempt the kitten close to you. Feed them the food off of a spoon or tongue depressor but don't try to pet them until they're reliably staying close to you during feedings. Use toys to build confidence, for exercise, and as a fun way to bond.
Timid behaviour could be caused by: genetics - some cats are naturally more cautious than others. lack of socialisation - if cats do not socialise with humans, particularly during their first eight weeks of life, they may be stressed or frightened by human contact.
Therefore, breeders and owners need to be more proactive. The primary socialization window for kittens occurs from 2-7 weeks of age and a secondary one lasts from 9 weeks to 14-16 weeks.
Intensive growth 2-4 months
This is the naughty stage of the kitten development chart when your kittens start to show their true colours!
The critical period for kitten socialization usually occurs during the early weeks of a cat's life starting between 2 to 7 weeks of age (early socialization occurs between 3-8 weeks, late socialization between 9 and 16 weeks).
Healthy kittens that are more than 8 weeks old or who weigh 2 pounds are completely fine to be released back into their colony after being trapped and neutered. But if you have the time and resources, it may be possible to socialize or “tame” kittens up to 4 months old to be cuddly, friendly cats.
You can tell a lot about them by the ways they interact. Kittens who are perpetually stalking their siblings' tails and generally horsing around will be the most outgoing and playful. Kittens who are willing to play but don't initiate a lot of games on their own will generally grow up to be more laid-back.
Single kitten syndrome is the idea that young kittens, when raised with other young kittens and cats and then adopted into a home by themselves, can become aggressive, anxious, stressed, and even develop behavioral issues like inappropriate chewing/scratching and inappropriately using the litterbox.
Don't worry-cats are fairly easy to socialize all the way up to 14 weeks. Older cats can also be successfully socialized; it may just take more time and patience.
Give them lots of love and reassurance and pet them gently, talking to them in a soft, calm voice. Playing is also a great way to socialize your kitten and form a bond with them early on in your relationship.
While exploratory biting and scratching are normal, anything with clear aggression behind it is not. If your kitten is displaying signs of aggression such as hard biting, scratching that draws blood, and dangerous fighting with other kittens, this is abnormal and problematic behavior.
Socializing Shy Cats
Each step will need at least 3-5 sessions before progressing to the next step, and make sure the cat is 100% comfortable before moving to the next level. The entire process can take anywhere from several weeks to more than a year…but it will all be worth it in the end!
(Kittens younger than four months should not be left alone for more than four hours. Older than that, they can handle another hour or so. When they reach six months, they can tolerate an eight-hour day without company.)
Between 4 and 8 months of age, if there is time and capacity and if the kitten is showing meaningful signs of social behavior, the decision may be made to place the kitten in a foster home for socialization and eventual adoption. But keep in mind that socializing is time-consuming, especially for older kittens.
Kittens between two and four months of age should only be left alone four to six hours at a time, not a full workday. When they're a little older, around six months, you can be gone all day. But they'll certainly be happier if you can check in on them at lunchtime or ask a friend to stop by.
Most literature on feral kitten socialization suggests that kittens older than 8 weeks up to 6-8 months old, or even adult cats, can still be socialized and adopted, but they need more time and experienced attention.
She may always be fearful of new situations and new people.
The best way to help her is by using positive reinforcement training techniques (see our handouts: "Positive Reinforcement: Training Your Cat with Treats and Praise" and "Cat Clicker training").
The amount of playtime your kitten needs will vary from kitten to kitten, as some cats are more energetic than others, but they generally need at least two to three play sessions a day, if not more. These sessions do not have to be long: short bursts of play throughout the day will keep your kitten stimulated.
From Ten to Fourteen Months is the Worst
Most kittens edge into adolescence at about ten months of age. This can vary, though, depending on the kitten. My orange tabby, Kirk, was actually closer to a year when I saw the adolescent changes in his behavior.
Understanding the Kitty 'Terrible Two's'
Between the age of 6 months and 2 years, your kitten will be reaching physical and sexual maturity. They will grow out of being a pure bundle of energy but, like human teenagers, they will be learning and exploring more of the world around them.
At this age, kittens will be walking, exploring their surroundings, and even beginning to explore the litter box. They may begin to become curious about cat toys, though they are not yet able to run or chase after moving objects. They will sleep frequently and may begin some small self-grooming behaviors.