Training a kitten, especially when they are small, may seem like an odyssey, but it’s just a matter of knowing the key points! Ideally, you should have short and frequent sessions and know how to reward their behavior and effort. Here are some tips that will help you!
The basic training of your little feline happens in the first 6 months of life, where both the mother and siblings usually play a fundamental role. Basically, the kitten imitates the actions of the mother, and then little by little, through experimentation, learns on its own. In this learning system, your contribution is also important, so let’s start at the beginning!
It is always recommended to wait until the kitten is at least two months old before separating it from its mother and siblings. Why? Because the mother, in addition to giving plenty of love and care, teaches very important things, such as social and hygiene habits.
Scratching and biting
It is vital that your little feline understands as soon as possible what is allowed and what is not. Think that the more time passes, the more developed their teeth and claws will be, and the more damage they can cause! When playing with their siblings, the bites and scratches they receive help them determine the force with which they should bite and scratch. It’s a simple rule: depending on the damage caused to me, I see how far I can go with my own strength. If at any point your kitten scratches or bites hard, stop the game and remember to redirect their attention to a toy or scratching post.
The litter box
In the best-case scenario, by five or six weeks old, your kitten will have already learned to use its tray. If not, place it in the litter box frequently, especially after meals. If you gently hold their paws and dig a small hole in the litter, it will help them gradually learn to cover their waste. You will need a bit of patience, but repeating this several times will help them internalize it without problems.
Good night
Cats are especially nocturnal, so don’t worry if you see your kitten awake or roaming at night. The problem? If you want to rest, their relentless nighttime activity may become a real challenge. One of the easiest and most effective ways to modify this behavior is to keep them very active during the day: play with them several times a day or have a long play session right before bed. And another quick tip! If they wake you up at night, don’t give them attention unless it’s really necessary! Otherwise, they might interpret it as a game, and unintentionally, you’ll be reinforcing the behavior.
Controlled play
Cats are naturally playful, which is great because it helps them develop skills and learn to interact with their siblings. However, their claws and teeth may not always be pleasant for you, especially when the kitten hasn’t yet learned to control its strength. To avoid scratches and bites, don’t use your hands to play with them; use only cat toys.
Extra patience
From the beginning, keep in mind one thing: training them won’t be easy. It also depends on the kitten’s personality, whether it was found on the street, if it has never socialized with people, or if it has suffered any type of abuse… but in none of these cases is it impossible!
You will need to put in a lot of effort and be truly consistent with your commands when setting boundaries. Remember, even allowing something once can undo all the progress you’ve made.
And don’t forget the rewards! When they do things correctly, acknowledge it and reward them with cuddles, a treat, or affectionate words to make it clear that they have done a great job.
