Summer is a great time to bring home a new kitten. Not only are there a multitude of cats born around these warmer months, but also, many people take time off over this season, allowing you to introduce a new pet into your home with ease.
Dr Kim Kendall, renowned cat behaviourist and feline friendly veterinarian, has some great tips for bringing a new kitty in to the house. She reckons you have to learn to play — by the rules!
The rules of play:
That’s right, as the days grow a little longer and a little warmer, almost all fertile female cats come into season. And before you know it there’s a tsunami of new kittens ready to cause havoc wherever they can.
This means lots of kittens going to new homes and perhaps to first time owners. So if you get given a kitty or decide to buy or rescue one in the coming weeks, here are a few tips that will help you both.
- Playing by the rules: Kittens have to learn the rules of play because, guess what — if you’re the only moving object in the house then tag, you’re it! Play is essential for the effective socialisation of young cats. For instance, when a lion cub chews the male lion’s tale, it gets a soft bat around the ears, rather than a potentially fatal blow. So spend a few minutes a day playing with your cat and make sure you understand the rules of play!
- Don’t hand hunt: Don’t wave your hand or wiggle your fingers in front of your kitten. Remember, what kittens learn to play with now they will hunt in the future, and you don’t want that to be you, as even a kitten can bite down to the bone.
- Don’t allow clawing bear hug and kick: This “game” of a feline attaching itself to the arm or leg of a human and biting, clawing and kicking is a social aggression activity, and part of learning to fight an adversary. Instead, substitute a foam-filled sock or pool noodle. As Dr Karen Overall, a world authority on cat behaviour said, “Why would you wave flesh around in front of a carnivore?”
- Do play distraction: Toys on wire or knotted ropes dragged along the floor are great games. Bouncy toys on the end of a stretchy string are also fun.
- Do create play spaces: A cardboard box with holes in it is worth hours of fun. Especially if you hide some toys in the box and a few food treats.
For more great cat advice, visit thecatpalace.com.au
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