Kitten Behavior

Lecture 29

What age is the prenatal period for kittens?

conception to birth

What age is the neonatal period?

0 to 9 days

What age is the transitional period?

9 to 14 days

What age is the socialization period?

2 to 7 weeks

What age ois the juvenile period?

7 weeks to 5 months

What age is sexual maturity in kittens?

5 to 9 months

Malnourished queens affect kittens how during the prenatal period?

kittens have increased object play, more aggressive social play

“Teat order” is formed by what age?

2 days

Kittens are guided by what stimuli in the neonatal period?

tactile, thermal, and olfactory

Hearing starts at what age in kittens?

around day 5

When do eyes open in kittnes?

day 7 to 10

Premature maternal separation (<2 weeks) can cause what in kittens?

behavioral problems —> fear/aggression towards people, increased locomotor activity, decreased learning

physical problems —> asthma

Weaning starts around what age in kittens?

4 weeks

During what period do kittens learn to escape painful stimuli, can learn from bad experiences, and can develop fear response?

socialization period (2 to 7 weeks)

During what period does social play peak and decline, independence increases, and weaning is complete?

juvenile period (7 weeks to 5 months)

Sexual maturity is reached at what age in kittens?

5 to 9 months

Attachment to humans develops at what age in kittens?

2 to 7 weeks

Is there a strong paternal or maternal effect on friendliness in kittens?

paternal

Kittens need exposure to other cats/kittens in a postiive fashion and dogs before what age to avoid fearful, defensive behaviors?

12 weeks

Social play begins at what age in kittens?

3 weeks

Social play begins to decline around what age in kittens?

12 weeks

Object play is high at what age in kittens?

8 weeks (earlier if weaned early)

Kittens can kill prey on thier own at what age?

8 weeks

Queen brings prey to kittens starting at what age?

4 weeks

How can we set kittens up for success?

litter box hygiene

socialization

carrier training

environment of plenty

appropriate play outlets

Kittens have an innate preference for what type of litter?

fine, sandy substrate

What are the four dynamics of an ideal litterbox?

large

uncovered

clumping litter

unscented litter

What is the litterbox rule for number needed in a home?

number of cats in the home plus one

What are important points related to changing/cleaning the litterbox?

scoop daily

change litter out monthly or as odor requires

no liners

How can we make the carrier a nicer place cats actually want to be?

offer high value food item daily in carrier

Feliway spray daily

take for short trips in the car once comfortable and work up to longer trips

create positive travel experiences at a young age

What items should be included in an “environment of plenty”?

those that allow:

hunting —> wndow perch or outdoor enclosure

chewing —> kitty grass, fresh catnip

scratching —> scratching post

viewing —> high resting places like cat tree

Where should you place scratching options?

core areas, resting areas

adjacent to scratched areas

Why should we avoid punishment in kittens?

may create fear and lead to agression

What should we do instead of punishing kittens?

redirect to approproate outlets

confine to safe haven to give family a break

remote, non painful deterrents as last resort such as sprays or loud noises

What should be included in areas deemed a kitty “safe haven”?

quiet refuge

access to own food, water, scratching post, and litter box

electronic cat door access or baby gates