How to socialize you cat ?

Unusual smells and noises, strangers, other animals and noisy household appliances: there are many things a small cat has to get used to. Find out here how to better socialize your cat and how you can make it easier for your little companion to adapt.

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how to socialize your cat

When a cat moves into its new territory, it's an exciting event for everyone involved: not only for the new owners, but also for the cat itself, which has to get used to its new home, the new people and their daily lives. The degree of socialization of a cat influences its reaction to its adoptive family, other animals and unknown events. But what does that mean exactly? How and at what age to socialize your cat? Can we also socialize older cats?

Socializing your cat, what does it mean?

In general, the term socialization describes the process of acclimatization to the community and the adoption of certain behavioral requirements. For the cat, this means that he must learn to trust his new family and that strangers or other animals are not a danger to him. During this process, he learns that young children are sometimes noisy, household appliances make strange noises, and that traveling by car in a carrier is not a bad thing. He learns where to eat, how to use the litter box and the limits not to exceed when he plays and has fun.

At best, the cat learns all these things during the first three months of its life. The earlier he comes into contact with different people, animals, sounds and smells and the more positive this first encounter, the more serene the cat will be in the future when faced with these situations.

Why is it important to socialize your cat?

Cats that have not been properly socialized often develop behavioral problems later. They react excessively fearful, quickly become anxious and nervous and sometimes aggressive. While some behaviors are harmless and maybe even quite cute, like sucking the pillow, others can strongly affect the coexistence between humans and animals. This becomes unpleasant especially when the cat scratches the furniture and the walls, meows all the time or simply urinates on the carpet rather than in the litter box. It becomes really problematic when the cat sticks out its claws when playing or bites when strangers want to pet it.

For a harmonious and stress-free cohabitation between man and cat, good socialization is therefore essential. This benefits not only the owner, but also the cat himself, who will live a much more serene, balanced and pleasant life.

Lay the foundations from the first months of life

Whether the cat becomes cuddly and balanced or rather a wild and fearful loner depends not only on its breed and its genes, but also, in a certain way, on its environment and its experiences. The first three months of its life, or more precisely the period between the fourth and the twelfth week of life, are the most decisive. The experiences that the little cat accumulates in this phase are firmly anchored in the brain and have a great influence on its future adult life. In the best case, the cat is still in the care of its mother at this time, because the latter plays a decisive role in the socialization of its offspring.

The role of the mother cat

Responsible breeders only let their kittens go from the twelfth week of life and leave them with their mother before that. The mother is the most important reference person and the greatest model for the kittens during the first weeks. The little cat observes the behavior of its mother towards its brothers and sisters and with humans and reproduces this behavior. If the cat's mother is confident with her masters, lets herself be petted and occasionally seeks their closeness, her little ones will also quickly gain confidence. When playing with her siblings, the mother also shows the little cat how far she can go. If the little ones bite or scratch too hard, the cat's mother intervenes and sets her limits naturally.

The responsibility of the breeder

The socialization of the mother cat is therefore an important condition for the socialization of her offspring. If you want to adopt a kitten from a breeder, you should pay attention to the behavior of the mother towards the breeder and the visit. If the mother reacts with fear or aggression, runs off into a corner or growls, you are likely to end up with a kitten with the same behavior. If, on the other hand, she allows herself to be petted or carried by the breeder and curiously observes strangers during visits, it is a sign that the cats are brought up here in a suitable and loving way.

Arrival at home: how to help your cat get used to it?

Separating the cat from its mother and moving into a new home is a big break for the kitten. Of course, he has to get used to the foreign environment, people, smells and noises. The better he has been socialized by his mother and breeder, the easier it will be for him to engage with the new and the unknown. This does not mean that the socialization of the cat is the sole responsibility of the breeder and the mother of the cat. Although the foundations are laid during its first weeks of life, the cat can and should be socialized even after its twelfth week. Now the responsibility is in your hands and as a new master you can greatly help your cat to start its new life.

Five useful tips for properly socializing your cat

• Provide a safe haven for your cat

Even though the young kitten is very curious, the many new impressions are sometimes too much for him. So, it is important that he can retreat to a safe place where he can rest and assimilate all his experiences. Even before the cat moves in, you should already think about the perfect place for it. A cozy cat bed with a soft blanket in a quiet corner of your home is ideal. Also, the cat should have hiding places and high places, as many cats feel more secure at higher levels. This could be a cat tree, for example, or simply a cat blanket on a raised windowsill or a secure, well-fixed shelf.

If you want your cat to get used to the carrier, you can leave it in the bedroom to begin with. Thus, he can take refuge there at any time if he is afraid. Alternatively, a large upturned cardboard box with a small opening and a soft cover is a safe hiding place popular with many cats.

• Give your cat time

It is important never to bully your cat or force it to do anything. Never drag him out of hiding just because your guest wants to pet the new kitten. Respect that your new roommate needs peace and quiet and prefers to stay away first. You won't tame a cat just by wearing it constantly! Instead, go about your normal activities in the apartment and just let him know that you're there and he can come to you if he wants. At some point, your cat's curiosity will triumph and it will venture out of hiding on its own.

• Put yourself at his height

To relieve a cat of its shyness, put yourself at its height. This will make it look less threatening and make it easier for your cat to approach you and be petted. For example, make yourself comfortable on the floor in front of the couch. Sit on a rug or blanket, read a book, listen to the radio, or turn on (not too loudly) the television. When the cat approaches, first let it sniff your hand, then stroke its back and cheeks with slow movements. Honor your cat's every attempt to approach with praise, gentle petting, or even a small treat and show her that you appreciate your closeness.

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Show Your Cat Lots of New Things, Without Overwhelming Them

For a cat to get rid of its natural distrust, it must get to know as many things as possible during the first months of its life: different animals and people, cars, appliances, vacuum cleaners, lawnmowers, music and many other things. other things he will encounter in his future daily life. However, you should never overdo it. After all, your cat also needs time to digest all these new discoveries. Be patient and gently introduce your cat to new things.

Observe your cat carefully and leave him alone when he signals to you by his posture that he is nervous. Once he has gained trust in you and your family and is rubbing against your leg purring, he is definitely ready for a visit from a stranger. Invite young and old to join you so your cat learns that people are different. On the other hand, a big party with lots of people in a small room and loud music would overwhelm him at first.

• Stay calm and be patient

Just as humans are not alike, not all cats are the same. While some cats are very open-minded and confident, others are naturally fearful and suspicious. Respect your cat's individuality and be patient if you don't get used to it right away. While some cats get used to their new environment, their new family and their daily life after only a few weeks, others need at least two months or even more to gain confidence. If you treat the cat with love without rushing it, if you don't yell at it and if you don't stress it out when it hides or does something stupid, it will eventually come out of its hiding place (almost) out of its voluntarily.

Can you still socialize your older cat?

Of course, not all cats are lucky enough to grow up from the start in a loving, species-appropriate environment in which their socialization is valued. Some cats are separated from their mothers too early, grow up without contact with siblings or other loving beings, and are alone from the start. The older the cat and the worse its past experiences have been, the more difficult it is for it to regain confidence and fit in.

However, even older cats can still be socialized. Anyone wishing to give a shelter cat a second chance sometimes needs a lot of patience and time to socialize their cat. To do this skillfully, you have to give the cat time and space to withdraw, always act calmly and lovingly, without rushing it. You will eventually notice the chat slowly opening up on its own and gradually regaining your trust. Once the ice is broken, older cats are often particularly cuddly and affectionate.

Patience always pays, it is also valid for the cohabitation of your cat with new animals

Your patience will always be rewarded when it comes to socializing your cat. Don't expect your cat to be able to do it all right away, to be petted by everyone, or to immediately get along with children and other pets. Be careful and let him settle into your new home slowly.

For example, if you're cohabiting your cat with other pets, it makes sense to keep them in separate rooms first and then try to acquaint them by letting them smell each other's scents. Let your older dog or cat sniff the "newbie's" carrier and give them a toy or blanket from the other to get to know their scent. Associate the smell with something positive, such as placing the object near the bowl. Through smell, the animals can gradually get to know each other while understanding that the other does not constitute a threat to their resources. You don't have to worry about your pet becoming less affectionate with you or less cuddly when another pet moves in. In fact, the opposite happens, and in most cases, everyone appreciates a new company.

Credit: Zooplus

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