SOCIALIZATION

THE SOCIALIZATION PERIOD

The primary socialization window for kittens occurs from 2-7 weeks of age and a secondary one lasts from 9 weeks to 14-16 weeks.  It starts with self-play and batting of objects and social play among littermates by 3 weeks of age.  From 4-11 weeks social play increases and peaks at 12 weeks.  Species identification occurs during which allows cats to recognize other cats and it also teaches them tolerance and acceptance of other cats in social situations.  By 12 weeks social play begins to wane and object play predominates until about 4 months of age.  Towards the end of 4 months, kittens are wired to become more suspicious and fearful of things they have not experienced. 

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Generally our socialization cases will be over 1 lb and under 4 lbs (between 1 and 3 months old).

A PURRFECT VIEW

Providing places to hide is critical with socialization cases though it may at first seem counter-intuitive. Cats need to open themselves up to humans slowly. By providing box-like spaces where they can observe from a distance, surrounding on all sides aside from their look-out, they will feel safer. 

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It is also advisable to slowly open up the home to socialization cases rather than exposing them to the whole home at one time. Start with an enclosure, then a room, then gradually open up the house to reduce overall hiding  behavior and encourage feelings of security while your socialization case adjusts! 

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THE POWER OF TOUCH

Cats will need time to learn touch from being fully unsocialized. 

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The easiest way to tell the difference between a socialized and unsocialized cat is whether they’ll let a person touch them. We call the invisible separation between cats who allow touch and cats who will not the “Touch Barrier.”

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Cats who are inside the Touch Barrier are more socialized to people and often enjoy touch. Cats who are outside the Touch Barrier are more unsocialized and typically avoid touch. Start slowly occasionally touching with toys in play and slowly move to touch while doing other activities like feeding and offering treats.

THE POWER OF TREATS

Taking care to feed modest amounts of wet food at feeding times and using food as a method of enrichment and engagement can help turn a sourpuss into a sweetie pie. Try holding treats in spoons or use churus and squeeze to the top and offer the foods first at a distance then slower grow closer as they will allow it. 

GOING UP!

Stimulating, cat-safe vertical space can work wonders in keeping cats sane, healthy, and help them get along better with each other (and you). Along with adequate food and shelter, this space ranks as one of most basic needs a cat foster or pet parent should seek to fulfill.

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This is even more true with socialization cases. Allowing cats to perch from above where they can observe safely will increase their feelings of security in the home.

FEEL GOOD PHEROMONES

Did you know that your cat’s facial pheromone secretions contain up to 40 different chemicals? Your cat will know exactly what each means. The relationship between cats and pheromones is complicated!

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Your cat will release pheromones for lots of different reasons. Pheromones are used to:

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• Mark territory

• Identify and learn about other cats

• Create familiarity

• Enhance bonding

• Signal to sexual partners

• Help mother cats and kittens bond, identify and be in harmony with each other

• Self-soothe

• Signal happiness,contentment, and reassurance

• Signal stress or fear 

FELIWAY mirrors the pheromones a mother releases when nursing kittens and utilizing this pheromone in the home helps lay the groundwork for calm and secure cats and kittens.

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