How to Socialize an Orphaned Kitten

Cat socialization, the process by which a cat becomes accustomed to and comfortable with positive human, cat and environmental interaction, occurs most rapidly during early life, especially between about three and nine weeks of age. According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners Feline Behavior Guidelines, kittens inherit some of their social characteristics from their parents; however, most cats can be appropriately socialized otherwise, especially if socialization occurs while young. Special consideration for orphaned kittens removed from their mother at birth or at an early age will help in the socialization process.

Things You'll Need

  • Safe cat toys
  • Foster mother for kitten
  • Healthy kittens
  • Friends
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Instructions

    • 1

      Ensure good health. Doctor Susan Little outlines appropriate health care for orphaned kittens in "Raising Orphaned Kittens," available through the Winn Feline Foundation web site. Kittens require adequate nutritional intake and assistance in maintaining temperature at a young age. Begin de-worming when the kitten is two weeks of age, begin vaccinations at six to eight weeks of age and institute control of external parasites such as fleas as directed by your veterinarian.

    • 2

      Introduce orphaned kittens to an alternate mother if possible. Doctor Little advocates adoption by a foster mother if the orphaned kitten was born within 14 days of the mother's natural litter. Adoption and interaction with a foster mother and other kittens will allow for cat socialization of the orphaned kitten. Consult with your veterinarian regarding safety issues and the possibility of disease transmission between litters and from the foster mother to the orphaned kitten. The foster mother should be healthy and free from infections such as Feline Leukemia Virus, and have a manageable number of kittens -- no more than four to five unless supplemental milk replacement is fed, before adoption.

    • 3

      Handle gently and play with the kitten. Contact with kittens between three and nine weeks of age will encourage proper socialization with humans. Gradually expose the kitten to a number of different people in a controlled environment. Gently stroke the kitten's head, back and belly several times daily. As the kitten becomes interested in play around four to five weeks of age, introduce a number of different safe toys one at a time, including commercially available toys as well as paper bags and cardboard or plastic boxes.

    • 4

      Introduce the kitten to other kittens in a safe environment, if the kitten was not adopted by a foster mother. Make sure kittens are not hungry and are well supervised. Allow communal play with toys. Some veterinarians offer kitten socialization classes. For older cats unaccustomed to other cats, a long period of gradually increasing contact may enable socialization. For example, start by placing cats in relatively close proximity separated by a barrier through which they can see but not contact each other.

    • 5
      Most cats naturally enjoy social contact.

      Use repetition and reward to teach kittens to obey simple commands, such as "come" and "sit." Initially use food and gentle stroking as rewards.