Socializing kittens is very enjoyable part of raising cats. Before writing this article, i did research on net to share one consolidated post with our readers on the topic. I must accept that Kramer Method is one of the best and complete Guide to Socialize Kittens. I will be writing a separate post on the topic of Do’s and Dont’s of Socializing Kittens after this one. Being a cat owner myself, i am sure it will greatly help you as well.
Keep it mind before moving ahead that this guide is for kittens over three weeks of age. Here it goes!
DAY ONE
The day you bring home your litter of foster kittens, confine the kittens in a large container as a dog crate, locate the crate in a PRIVATE AND QUIET room. The floor of the dog crate should be covered with something warm and soft, such as a large towel. Be sure there is a litter box in the back and food and water in the front of the crate. Once or twice the first day open the crate door and hold the kittens that come to the front to greet you. They like to hear a high pitched “EEEE†sound. They will respond back with the same sound. Most of the first day leave them alone to adjust and sleep.
DAY TWO
Every couple of hours open the crate door and hold and pet the kittens and make the “EEEE†sound. If there are some kittens hissing (afraid), try to hold them but do not force them if they’re not ready. They will all eventually see how much fun it is and come to you. Be sure to have lots of toys, a scratching post, things to climb on, and multiple litter boxes ready and in the room.
DAY THREE
Start letting the kittens run around the room out of their crate. Keep this to half hour increments several times during the day and get down on the floor with them. They will get used to you by crawling all over you. Get them used to your voice and your hands. Your hands are to be used for petting only, not to tease the kittens. Trim their nails.
DAY FOUR THROUGH SEVEN
If they are clean (no diarrhea) they can spend most of the day in their room with the crate door open. You will find they will go in the crate to sleep since they feel very safe in there. Spend as much time as you can with them. Put a baby gate in the doorway with cardboard over it (or something equivalent) so there are no openings for the kittens to slip through. Keep the room door open so they start getting used to house sounds (kids, pets, TV, talking, doors opening/closing, etc.)
DAY EIGHT THROUGH FOURTEEN
If all is going well and the kittens are not sick (upper respiratory, parasites, etc.)bring one of your mildest pets in the room for just a couple of minutes. Keep very close watch. Start having visitors come in the room and sit on the floor. Keep things controlled so the kittens do not get wild or hurt. They need to feel safe and loved. Trim their nails.
DAY FIFTEEN OR WEEK 3
Start letting the kittens run around your house. Start small with the new areas you allow them in. If you have multiple pets put some of them in another room where they are away from the kittens. You don’t want the kittens to get scared and try to hide. Your main goal is for the kittens to have fun and not be afraid. They need to feel very safe. Raise the baby gate about 2â€. They can get back in the room that way but no other pet can get in their room. Trim their nails.
WEEK 4 – ADOPTION
The kittens should be ready to spend more time in all of your living space and with all of your pets. However , never leave your kittens unattended. Be sure to continue to have visitors and have supervised visits with the kittens. It’s good to have children as well as adults visit. Continue to trim their nails once a week. This will save wear and tear on your belongings, yourself, your family and guests. It will get the kittens used to having their nails trimmed. Hopefully, this will prevent their owners from wanting to declaw them.
ADOPTION OF KITTEN
Be prepared for it to hurt when you have to give the kittens up for adoption. You may even hear them crying after you leave. At this point remember the following:
1. You fostered the kittens so that you could socialize them for someone else to adopt.
2. You cannot keep every kitten you foster or you would not be able to foster anymore.
3. If you kept the kittens you fostered you would be taking more time away from the animals you already have.
4. You signed on to foster, not to adopt. Keep your goal in mind and make these kitties the best they can be for someone else to enjoy in their homes.
5. Don’t worry – the kittens will be adopted!
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