The best time to get a kitten used to new and different experiences and places is between 2 and 10 weeks of age. Never fear if you have an older kitten! It is still possible, but 2-10 weeks is just the easiest time because they have not created associations with new experiences and are more curious and accepting of novel stimuli. This early exposure to a variety of situations, people, places and other pets, paired with positive reinforcement, will help to create a cat who is less stressed and more resilient in novel situations. It can also help to prevent behavior problems later on which are commonly related to stress.
Here are some potential new ideas for your kitten:
Walking on a harness outdoors
This can greatly expand your kitten’s perceived home range, as well as give her mastery over their territory. It can help to prevent common behavior problems by using up extra energy and increasing mental stimulation.
Handle your kitten in a variety of ways
Pair lifting and handling your kitten with treats or favorite toys can create a positive experience with being handled. Handle all parts of their body such as toes, tail, belly, and even lifting up lips to look at teeth. While you don’t want to stress your kitten, gently handling in a variety of ways can help reduce stress around future grooming and veterinary handling as well as prevent fear if your cat is picked up in an awkward way by another person.
Brushing and grooming
Introducing your kitten to brushing, brushing teeth, and nail clipping early can help make these go much more smoothly later in life. Brushing can also be a good bonding experience for you and your cat. You can also help with giving medication in future by giving liquid treats in a syringe and using a pill popper to give a soft treat.
Carrier or crate
You know how much cats love paper bags to play in? Well your carrier can be the same fun cave-like experience. Set your carrier with a blanket and toys as a fun place to hang out and rest or play. Toss treats into the carrier and create a positive connection to entering the carrier young. This can alleviate a whole lot of the common stress around travel and veterinary visits.
Take trips to visit the veterinary office and/ or groomer
Just a short drop in to the vet’s office to get used to the sights and smells paired with threats can go a long ways toward reducing everyone’s stress around visiting the vet. Many cats do not get adequate veterinary care because getting a cat to the vet and the stress involved in being at the vet can be so high.
Introductions to a variety of people and (cat friendly!) pets
The more variety the better! Adults, children, beards, and hats, dogs and cats! Cats benefit from socialization in the same ways as dogs making them more adaptable to change later on. Introducing your kitten to other cats or kittens can help in adding another cat to the family later on.
