The character of a kitten begins to form from the first days. If their parents have been balanced cats and have had good first experiences, we can ensure that the little one will be an adult who will not need a firm reeducation to be able to live in a family.
If we want to adopt an animal with a healthy mind, it is better to take into account the following aspects:
· Animals that are not more than seven weeks old, as we have said on other occasions, are at the key moment of their socialization and to get used to man.
· The origin of the animal will be another variant, so we will know what experiences it has had before reaching us, with which animals it has lived, how the humans with whom it has coincided have treated it …
· It is important to stop and think about the experience that potential owners have had with animals of this species. If they do not have knowledge about cats they will have to inform themselves and get even more help from the experts, at least in the first months.
· Know the way of being of the cat. We will have to look at the following reactions:
1. Excitability. To do this, we have to take him to a quiet place and observe him. We can also try to sit or lay it down for 30 seconds.
2. Resistance to handling. Can you let yourself be picked up? Do you allow your hair to be brushed? We will also ask if he allows his nails to be cut, that his hand is surrounded by his muzzle …
3. Fear. We will have to check their reaction to strangers, their response to loud noises , if they have excessively submissive behaviors.
4. Sociability. To see if he is sociable, we will pick him up, we will caress him and we will call him at a distance to check that he is listening to us.
Researchers and experts in ethology have identified two types of ways of being of the social cat: some prefer to play and others to cuddle .
Whether in one way or another, what they do agree on is that feline “personality” is given by genetic inheritance and experiences .
Parents transmit certain ways of acting
Therefore, it is good that we meet the parents of our little one.
Taking into account the experiences, the felines that have lived in “controlled” environments and have been socialized, will be more calm and confident when we try to manipulate them than those that have a baggage of negative experiences.
As the experiences they have in the first weeks will influence their future character, we are going to keep the following points in mind:
1. We will expose you to stimuli. The more the better and always good. It must have contact with the largest number of species, especially with humans: from babies to the elderly, through people with glasses, long hair, beards, caps and, the essential, the veterinarian. Also with dogs, birds, rodents …
It is also good to expose them to all kinds of circumstances and environments: cars, carrier, vacuum cleaner, radio, toys …
2. Get him used to being touched, caressed, brushed, that we observe his little body in depth, to take medicine, to go to the veterinary clinic …
3. We will have to teach him a series of rules when he is little. It must be borne in mind that the education of cats is not carried out in the same way as that of dogs and that they will not be as obedient as these. You will have to use snacks to persuade him to do what you want and remember that the punishments will be counterproductive.
