Kitten Behavior and Training Getting Started

Bringing a kitten into your home can be a magical time as you experience their playful antics and enjoy their cuddles. Start your kitten off right by providing opportunities for safe play and social interactions.

What is the best age to bring home my new kitten?

The best age to bring home a kitten is between the ages of 8 and 12 weeks. At this age, kittens are ready to learn about your world. Until that age, they may benefit from the opportunity to remain with their mother and littermates so they can develop positive social behaviors. Kittens become socially mature more quickly than puppies and by 12 weeks of age, are less behaviorally flexible.

Should I adopt one kitten or two?

It depends on your kitten’s age and personality. Adopting two littermates can reduce stress and support healthy behavioral development. They also become each other’s source of entertainment as natural playmates. However, adopting a kitten from a different litter may not be ideal – even young kittens have strong personalities and preferences. Before you adopt two unrelated cats, take time to confirm that they seem compatible.

How can I help my kitten with social development?

You can start socializing your kitten with people and animals as soon as they are settled into your home.

Gradually introduce your kitten to a wide variety of new people and situations. You can help your kitten develop into a friendly, confident cat by providing daily gentle handling, exposure to different sounds and scents, and positive reinforcement with food treats and play. If your kitten is shy, let her come to you for handling – take your time. Keep interactions short and pleasant.

Provide opportunities for your kitten to safely climb and explore. Since kittens enjoy hunting, try hiding small stashes of food and toys for them to find in areas where they can climb, explore, and use their natural hunting behaviors. Also provide areas where they can perform their natural scratching behaviors. Most kittens enjoy toys that they can stalk, attack, and carry. Make sure to use objects as toys, not your hands or feet.

Gently expose your kitten to new activities. Consider the things you would like to do with your kitten when she grows into an adult and begin gentle exposure to these activities and situations. Perhaps you want to take your cat hiking or take them on regular car trips. Try to plan a new activity or social event at least twice a week.

Should my kitten stay indoors?

Cats are generally safer and healthier indoors. Outdoor cats can contract infectious diseases and parasites, and they are at risk of being hit by a car or attacked by another cat or predator (e.g., dogs, coyotes, hawks). They can also negatively impact the local ecosystem, including the songbird population. Your cat can safely enjoy access to the outdoors in a protected enclosure: a catio.

You may teach your kitten to walk with you on a leash. Leash training takes practice. Begin by introducing the equipment indoors.

First, show your kitten the harness. Give your kitten some treats to create a positive association.
Next, attach the leash. Again, provide some treats or introduce a toy.
After several successful sessions, try taking some walks inside your house. Take your time. Do not take your kitten outdoors until they are comfortable walking on leash indoors.
When your kitten is ready, introduce them to quiet outside areas first. Be sure there are no dangers, such as roaming dogs, as your kitten is vulnerable.

When should I start training my kitten?

Kittens can start training at any age. Your kitten has been learning since birth and is learning even when you are not purposely teaching her. For example, litter box training may already be underway. Most kittens instinctively eliminate in loose soil or granulated substances and eagerly use a litter box that has been filled with soft cat litter.

Kittens naturally engage in behaviors that feel good. You might not appreciate all of these behaviors even if they are normal from a cat’s perspective. Almost every undesirable behavior serves a purpose. Once you uncover the purpose, you can easily train your cat to engage in a similar behavior that, from your perspective, is more desirable. It may be helpful to contact a behavioral professional who can determine your kitten’s underlying motivation and help you develop a suitable substitute behavior.

Ask your veterinary team whether they offer a kitten kindergarten class. Typically, these classes provide opportunities for socialization as well as tips for teaching your kitten to be comfortable being handled for husbandry and veterinary visits. If your kitten loves treats and is very interactive, you can have some fun with “tricks for treats”. It is never too early to introduce verbal cues such as sit, lie down, high five, and come when called.

How do kittens learn?

Kittens, like all animals, engage in behaviors that feel good and have a positive outcome. If a behavior leads to a treat, attention, or a toy, the kitten will eagerly repeat the behavior. Reward-based training relies on delivering something your kitten likes when you notice them doing behaviors that you like. The reward must be appealing to the kitten, so find treats and toys that your kitten loves.

Should I punish my kitten for misbehavior?

Punishment is not a useful training technique and can have many negative consequences, including losing your kitten’s trust. Instead of trying to “stop” undesired behaviors, focus on teaching your kitten what you do want by consistently rewarding the desired behaviors.

What if my kitten is shy and doesn’t like being handled?

Shy or sensitive kittens take extra patience and time. Give them lots of hiding places like cardboard boxes and safe places where they feel secure. Have everyone in the home ready with food treats to give whenever the kitten shows interest in them. When your kitten decides to interact, move slowly and avoid direct eye contact.