how to pet a kitten

\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Start by gently rubbing your kitten’s chest between her two front legs, and slowly move your hand down one of her legs until you're touching her paw. This is the when you, as the pet parent, lay the foundation for your cat’s future health and behavior. Thanks! A lady was taking care of abandoned kittens living on the roof tops. Petting in the wrong spot or using too much force or speed can agitate some cats, causing them to bite or scratch. Cats aren't … Avoid punishing your kitten when it does something bad since negative reinforcement doesn't work with cats, and it can actually make your kitten fearful of you. Your new kitten deserves the best possible start in life. 13 Ways to Keep Your Pet Safe Outdoors. Research source Start the trail at the entrance of the... 3. If the cat headbutts your hand, don't be scared. This article has been viewed 1,209,091 times. There is only one way. If the cat seems relaxed, you can try petting it. If the cat backs away, flattens its ears, growls, hisses, or widens its eyes, give it some space so you don’t get scratched or bitten. Some cats like it when you rub his/her ear. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Not to mention, it’s the stage where you have to decide what food to buy, what vet to visit, and where to place the litterbox. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. How to Train Your Older Cat to Accept a Kitten Calm Your Older Cat. If you gently massage the two folds of the ear together they will likely enjoy it. Cats often scratch deep when they don't intend to if their claws get stuck. It may take some time, but with a bit of patience and preparation, your … Hold your kitten at least once a day. All cats are different, and some love being pet while others don’t. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You're right that the cat doesn't want you to keep petting it on the stomach. However, a well-socialized cat will give a different indicator first, and only move on to hissing if you don't heed it. Read on for another quiz question. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. This means that if they bite your hand,... 2. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If you are wounded due to a serious bite or scratch, wash the affected area thoroughly with an antibacterial soap and apply an antiseptic. If you have a baby or small pet rectal thermometer, you can also take the kittens’ temperatures. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You want the kitten to have a good experience being held, as it's important for the socialization process. Try full-body pets. Bedding. Thank you for this article, it confirms I am patting him correctly, and educated me on reactions and why. Petting a cat makes you and your cat feel happy and comfortable. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Resultantly, the much loss of body water causes weight loss or dehydration. In fact, many cats will never want their bellies pet. Cats need to have order and a new member in the home must know where it ranks. Teach your kitten to use a litter tray. If you have other pets in the house, keep the kitten in its own room (along with litter box, bed, food and water) for a week before introducing him to the other pets. Household Make-Up. The ASPCA’s wonderful adoptable dogs and cats are waiting for you right now! 3; Socialization also means exposing your kitten to new environments. You can find cat-specific wipes at pet stores,” says Nold. But it will almost always give other indicators of its mood first, so if you're paying attention, it won't have to resort to biting. Let the kitten explore in the small room you have already set up, or if you didn’t have time to prepare for its arrival, set up a safe room and sit on the floor while the kitten acclimates to it. You can expect a kitten to be a little nervous the first time being picked up, so be prepared for some wriggling and scratching. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. What should you do if a cat grabs your hand with its claws when you rub its belly? A cat or kitten will often see the above behaviors as threatening and will either flee, creating an opportunity for your dog to establish that he is a great toy to chase, or fight--neither of which is conducive to a happy, peaceful home. Cats are very tactile creatures and love the sensation of being petted, especially over the rump. It’s a way a person feels and identifies with. Most cats hate having their bellies touched because this is a vulnerable area on their bodies (where all the vital organs are). Don't encourage rough play or allow the kitten to use your hands as toys by biting or scratching. Be careful though, some cats do not like this. Not quite! In BDSM, the power exchange from the Dom and the sub, the sub taking the role of a pet (in this case, a cat/kitten) and the Dom is the protector, owner, master, etc. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Kittens are adorable and playful, but they're also unique individuals that have personalities, needs, and behaviors of their own. A lot of cats dislike being pet on their belly, tail, legs, and paws, so try to avoid these areas. Start at the crown of the cat’s head and, using your open palm, pet the cat lengthwise down its spine towards the tail. Provide multiple boxes for your cat. In some cases, they may: bring in adult cats alongside litters that aren’t theirs Many cats don't like being petted near the tail. Not to mention, it’s the stage where you have to decide what food to buy, what vet to visit, and where to place the litterbox. Go back to her chest and repeat with the other leg. This behavior is natural to kittens and is not a sign of hostility or fear (most of the time), but if left unchecked, it can become a serious problem. Many puppies need to burn a lot of energy to combat their playfully destructive behavior, which means lots of running around in the back yard or long walks or jogs. The weeks before the arrival of... Get Your Home Ready. If the cat sniffs your hand, meows, and then rubs her chin or the side of his/her head against it, or brushes the side of his/her body on you, chances are s/he is open to being touched. This helps form a habit and associates holding with bonding time and affection. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Although your kitten may self-groom as they get older, it’s important for them to become comfortable or at least experience a bath. If the cat likes what you're doing, s/he'll arch his/her back to add more pressure to your hand. If the kitten remains calm, slowly reach out and pet it gently. Handle Your Kitten Regularly. References. When you bring your hand back to where you started, the cat may rub her forehead firmly against your hand to encourage you to do it again. The pet cat is seen in chronic pains which are not relieved or controlled with any give prescribed medication. If you're a stranger to the cat, have some patience. Generally, it's a good idea to stop, just in case. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. In this video I want to show you how to make Amazing Kitten Cat Pet house from Cardboard for your cat or kittens. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. You may also notice that when she lifts her rump she lowers her head and rubs it against you. [1] Pheromones are useful for creating a calm environment for any cat. Many cats enjoy being pet in these areas, which include the base of the chin, ears, and tail, as well as the cheeks. I'm happy to say that he likes me now, and comes to me often for pats. Bringing home and raising a new kitten is an experience that's loaded with challenges and rewards. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Children should be closely supervised when petting a cat. Aim for five minutes or so, and keep the time together peaceful and gentle. Your two pets might not be best friends right away, and you might need to keep your little kitten separate until he's bigger. A new kitten can be a fun, loving, and playful pet, and petting her is not only a calming form of stress-relief for you, but it can also enjoyable and relaxing for the cat. While cats are generally low maintenance pets compared to dogs, they still require a lot of care and attention. Many cats don't like their feet handled at all, but can be trained into it for activities like claw clipping through a slow, successive reward system. Wait for the cat to come to you and then drop her more treats. Kitten Care. This is especially true when your kitten's playmate is a young child. This is the when you, as the pet parent, lay the foundation for your cat’s future health and behavior. If you’ve ever been a puppy parent, you’ll know that potty training a puppy is a whole thing. Sometimes, a backyard cat breeder turns into small-time kitten mill to increase their supply so you can buy a kitten from a pet store and they can make a higher profit. Spreading their scent imbues their environment with a familiar smell, which in turn makes them feel happy and content. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. We wanted a pet kitten, so we drove to this small town to rescue a cat. ", http://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/four-places-to-pet-your-cat-and-one-to-leave-alone?page=2, http://www.cat-world.com.au/General-Cat-Articles/how-to-pet-a-cat.html, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/petting-induced-aggression, http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/why-you-shouldnt-pet-your-cats-belly/. Whether you're considering getting a kitten or have already welcomed a fuzzy little bundle of joy into your life, you no doubt want to be the best pet parent. Older children must be taught how to handle the kitten gently and how to hold her properly, and they should never be allowed to grab the kitten by her scruff. Guess again! After three hours, the kitten will grow into a pet cat. Kittens are just plain fun to have around. Some cats will let you pet them along their back too. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Cats are most likely to become overstimulated when receiving these types of pets, leading them to bite or claw you. Start by petting the areas that cats use most often to mark their scents. You can scratch gently as you bring your hand down along the cat's back, but don't stop at one spot and scratch there. Use your fingertips or fingernails to gently rub the chin, particularly where the jawbone connects to the skull. Don't touch the tail or move your hand along to the side. Last Updated: April 10, 2021 By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Socializing kittens and getting them used to being touched is most important during the first seven weeks of their lives (minus the first week or two). Because kittens are so vulnerable to disease, kittens should not be exposed to other pets until core vaccines have been administered beginning at about six weeks old and boosters until 16 weeks. When you're getting her used to this, don’t forget to reward her with treats. Touch the kittens’ ears, inside their mouths, and the pads of their feet. The presence of other pets in the house makes confining the kitten to a restricted area even more important for two reasons. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. An area that's normally okay to pet might become painful to the cat due to some new wound or other health condition. Second, the new kitten should not intrude on the personal space already claimed by the existing pets. Hissing (or growling) certainly signals that a cat doesn't want to be petted. Why do cats lift their bum when you pet them? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. When you hold her, place one hand behind her front legs and use the other to support her backside. A kitten will take approximately 2.5 to grow into a Pet cat, at which time you can trade it … If a cat grabs you with its paws, hold still and let the cat disengage his/her claws. As long as the cat is calm and not scared, slowly and gently reach out and pet her. Before welcoming a new kitten (or kittens) to your home, you'll need to prepare your home for a curious critter with the ability to climb, leap, and scratch.You'll also need to provide your kitten with appropriate toys, bedding, litter box, and food. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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