Dean Hart Clinical Behaviourist answers your questions

Dean Hart is a Clinical Behaviourist

Dean Hart is a Clinical Behaviourist and Tutor at the Canine Studies College and specialises in helping mature students set up and develop their own business within the canine industry. Visit www.thedoghut.biz

We are thinking of adopting a kitten?

Q.We are thinking of adopting a kitten having lost our beloved 18-year-old Tabby, but he was very scared. Are there things we can do to make sure our new kitten is not so frightened?

A. As with most animals, prevention is so much better than trying to cure so this is a good question to ask. Cats need to know about how we humans live and need to learn about all our different activities, sounds and smells, in edition to socialising with us.

A cat’s socialisation period is much earlier than with dogs, around 2 – 7 weeks. I am not sure where you are getting your new kitten from, whether this would be a breeder or from rescue, however it is highly likely that you won’t have them until after this socialisation period – so be sure to ask what socialisation your cat has experienced.

A major influence on how brave the behaviour of your new cat would be their genetic make-up. The temperament of both the mum (queen) and dad (tom) is important to note.

How brave your new cat may be, can be assessed partly, from watching the dad and sometimes the queen interact with their environment, so if there is opportunity to see both then take it!

So, in brief you need to select your new kitten from bold parents and avoid those that come from very quiet or isolated environments.

Ask what people, other animals and experiences your new kitten has had as they should have been exposed to a wide range of living and non-living things without being overloaded or frightened by them. Cats can be trained and rewarded for appropriate behaviour, just like dogs and other animals so confident behaviour in your new kitten can be shaped by reinforcing with food treats and play.

Allow your new kitten time to approach you, try to resist the urge to continually pick up and cuddle, I know how cute kittens can be!

Lastly, read as much information on normal cat behaviour, particularly feline greeting behaviour that you can so your cat can be as comfortable at home with you as possible.