Things You'll Need
- Paper bags
- Cardboard boxes
- Scratching post
- Fishing pole-type cat toy
Instructions
Handle kittens early in their lives. Kittens learn social skills best when they are between two and seven weeks old. Start by picking up newborn kittens, holding them gently for a few seconds and then returning them to their mother. After they are two weeks old, handle them gently for a few minutes each day.
Begin introducing toys to kittens when they start eating solid food. This happens at around one month. Offer such things as paper grocery bags and cardboard boxes for them to explore. Introduce them to a scratching post.
Teach kittens not to bite human fingers. If a kitten bites during play, use another toy to distract it. Fishing pole-type toys are a good choice. Do not use your fingers as a toy and then scold your kitten when it pounces on your hand -- this sends confusing messages to the kitten.
Expose your kitten to a variety of people, other pets and household noises. Let it see adults, children, visitors and even repairmen. Allow it to interact with cat-friendly dogs but supervise their interaction closely. Use appliances such as the vacuum cleaner near your kitten so that it will get used to household sounds.
Consider taking your kitten to socialization classes. When your kitten is between seven and 14 weeks old, and has been properly vaccinated and screened for common feline diseases, it will be eligible for "kitty kindergarten." These classes usually are held at a veterinary office. They will allow your kitten to meet and interact with new people, cats and toys -- as well as introducing it to traveling. You will learn how to read your kitten's body language, how to communicate with it and how to provide basic training.