KITTEN ADOPTION & FELINE BEHAVIOR: TIPS FOR ACQUIRING AND TRAINING CAT CATES!
Just like welcoming a puppy, welcoming a kitten is an exciting adventure, but did you know that the first few weeks at home shape its entire adult life? Contrary to popular belief, you don't train a cat like a small dog. Cats are territorial animals whose equilibrium relies on subtle cues.
ServicesPourAnimaux provides you with essential advice from feline behaviorists for responsible adoption and gentle training.
1. Responsible Kitten Acquisition
Even before the kitten arrives, two criteria are fundamental to avoid certain future problems:
_ Weaning Age: Never adopt a kitten before it is 12 weeks (3 months) old. Even if the kitten eats on its own at 2 months, it is between the 2nd and 3rd month that its mother teaches it the inhibition of biting and scratching which characterizes the code of good feline conduct.
_ The environment of birth: A kitten born in a barn without human contact will be more fearful than a kitten born in a family home or a cattery. A feline behaviorist can help you assess the kitten's temperament based on your lifestyle, whether it's a quiet apartment or a house with children.
2. Territory organization and feline well-being
For a cat, happiness is a matter of geography. A feline behaviorist advises dividing the space into four distinct zones that should never overlap:
_ The resting zone: Elevated spots where the cat feels safe.
_ The feeding zone: Away from the litter box, as no one likes to eat near their toilet.
_ The elimination zone: A clean litter box in a quiet, secluded location.
_ The play and scratching area: Vertical scratching posts or cat trees placed near walkways or resting areas.
3. Feline training and the reinforcement method
You don't train a cat, you encourage it to make the right choices, namely:
_ Saying "no" is ineffective: Yelling at or punishing a cat will only teach it to be afraid of you.
_ Redirection: If it scratches the sofa, calmly move it to its scratching post or cat tree and reward it with a pat or a treat as soon as it uses it.
_ Play, but not with your hands: Never get a kitten used to playing with your fingers. Always use a feather toy or a fishing rod toy. Otherwise, as an adult, the cat will see your hands as prey to attack.
4. When to consult a feline behaviorist?
Don't wait until the situation becomes unbearable. A feline behaviorist, like "PsyCat" located in the Alpes-Maritimes region (Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Antibes, etc.), can help with various situations, including:
_ Preparing for the arrival of a kitten or cat: Setting up the ideal apartment before adoption from a cattery or animal shelter.
_ Resolving problems: Sudden inappropriate elimination, excessive scratching, nighttime meowing, or aggression.
_ Managing changes: The arrival of a baby, moving house, or introducing a second pet.
Tip from ServicesPourAnimaux: A kitten that misbehaves isn't necessarily mean or dominant; it's simply expressing a need (boredom, stress, lack of space, etc.). The feline behaviorist is the interpreter who helps you understand this silent language.
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