No Yelling, Threatening, Or Physical Punishment. Punishment teaches a kitten nothing, except how to avoid the punishment. It is far better, and far more humane, to teach the kitten what to do rather than to punish it for something it is doing.
Avoid any hair pulling or jerking movements. Fur mats and tangles may need to be carefully trimmed off using blunt-nosed safety scissors. Always point scissors away from your cat and ensure the skin isn't touched. In general, cats don't need to be bathed and most cats can find it quite stressful.
Your kitten will sleep best if they have a cosy, snug bed or blanket, placed somewhere they can sleep undisturbed while life goes on around them. Although adult cats like to climb and sleep on high perches, such as on top of furniture, it's safest for young kittens if their beds are low down to begin with.
Should I keep my cat in at night? Cats Protection recommends that you keep your cat in at night to keep them safe. Increased risks during night time include: Road traffic injuries and fatalities.
In general, a kitten between 8 weeks to 4 months can be left alone for about 4 hours. After 6 months, they can spend close to 8 hours on their own.
In the home, cats are often scared of noisy household appliances, especially if they didn't become accustomed to them as young kittens. Vacuum cleaners, lawnmowers, printers, washing machines and hairdryers are common culprits.
Previously, researchers determined that cats stay calmer when listening to classical music, as opposed to pop and heavy metal. But more recent research published in this month's issue of Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery showed that cats may relax even more when listening to music made with them in mind.
If you've ever wondered why your cat doesn't like their paws being touched, it's actually because they're one of the most sensitive parts of their body. They're packed full of nerve receptors which enables them to feel vibrations and helps with balance.
Most cats detest what most dogs love: belly rubs. So resist petting the belly even if your cat appears relaxed next to you and is in the belly-up position. This is viewed as a vulnerable spot on a cat's body and touching the belly may cause your cat to stiffen, hiss and even claw you.
It is usually a good idea to handle kittens with gloves if they are below two weeks of age. If they are with their mother, avoid touching them. The mother will be extremely protective. Kittens that young are vulnerable to infection and disease and you may harm them by picking them up too soon.
New Cat? Set Realistic Expectations! You can expect that it will take your cat some time to get used to the new routines and environment. The 'Rule of Three' means that you can gauge the time it might take for your cat to fully acclimate to his home in threes: three days, three weeks, and three months.
Looking at the two extremes, no handling is bad news for the kitten whereas rough or excessive handling can be equally detrimental. It is best to handle and pet the kitten in a way that it appreciates, not to short change it, yet not to smothering it in overly indulgent, perhaps unwanted way.
A simple training method involves praising and petting your kitten when it leaps onto acceptable surfaces while scolding and removing it from unacceptable surfaces. The spray bottle can help train your kitten to stay off specific surfaces.
Make sure that she has a spot to sleep in a quiet place, in order to go into her deep sleep phase, which is essential for her health and well-being. Even though she may make little noises, avoid waking your kitten while she is sleeping.
A great tip is to put a hot water bottle in their bed, as the warmth will help your kitten to relax and feel more comfortable – just make sure the bottle is covered and not too hot! Please do not use boiling water from the kettle.
In a research made by Nottingham Trent University, the findings show that cats are able to determine when their humans are anxious or stressed. Apart from this, they can also mirror their human's emotions and well-being.
Fearful kittens can make wonderful companions provided you can give them the time and energy needed to teach them to trust. The adopter of a fearful kitten, will need plenty of time early on to spend with your kitten, patience not to push him past his level of comfort and realistic expectations.
If you see your kitten is still afraid, don't pet them at once, but talk to them in a friendly, soft voice. Once they're happy to be petted as well as given a treat, you've really made a breakthrough!
Plan to keep your kitten in their special room for at least the first 24 hours, and up to two weeks. This can be a great way to let them gradually get used to the smells and sounds of their new house. It's especially important if you already have pets in the house.
Wait until he's of a size to make that an unlikely risk. My main rule of thumb is to wait until the kitten is old enough to get up on the bed on his own — typically around his 6-month birthday. Cats like to sleep up high.