HOW CAN I SOCIALISE MY KITTEN?

We socialise our puppies but many of us forget to socialise our kittens.
Socialising a kitten means preparing it for its place in human society. If we want a cat that is easy to put in a travel box, put it in one with food. If you want a cuddly cat, the kittens should be cuddled a lot.
This is particularly important if you have bought a pedigree kitten. Breeders who keep kittens in chalets with not enough human contact often produce fearful cats. The first eight weeks are vital for socialising but there is probably a further month, perhaps two, in which kittens can learn to get used to other human activities.

1. Handling. If you want a cuddly cat get as many people as possible to handle him. Invite local children round to do it. Give him to men as well as women. Anybody passing through the house can be handed the kitten for a cuddle. Most people will enjoy this greatly but respect your kitten's wishes. Forcible cuddling will be counter productive.

2. Floppiness. If you want to cradle your cat on its back, then start cradling the kitten now. Only do this when the kitten is happy about it. Forcible cradling is cruel.

3. Travel. Take your kitten in her travel box for as many short car journeys as possible in the first month. If you do this, she will be unworried by car travel. Do not respond if she makes a noise while in his box. You don't want to encourage a noisy traveller.

4. Travel box. Leave this open on the floor where it can be seen during every day life. Feed your kitten inside it every now and again. Leave a small titbit in the box for him to find on his own. You will have less trouble when you need to put him in the box to take him to the vet.

5. Clicker training. I don't think this should be started when the kitten is too young for treats. I fed my kitten soft food and used dry kitten food for treats - healthier than shop bought ones. Before you start clicker training full time use a clicker sometimes as you set down his meal, so that he will begin to learn that a click means grub. Most cats need a food lure as well as clicker. Unlike dogs they do not perform for nothing. You need to train without ever putting a hand on them - unlike dogs, who can be put in position.

6. Dogs. If you have a dog of your own, which is safe with cats, then your kitten needs introducing to him from a safe place - inside a crate. Or keep the dog on the lead all the time. (A kitten should never be expected to live with dogs that chase cats.) Don't introduce your kitten to STRANGE dogs otherwise it may think all dogs are safe. Alas, some are not. Wariness around strange dogs may save its life one day.

7. Noises. Make sure it hears normal household noises - washing machines, computer noises, etc. Don't get it used to traffic noise. It is safer if it is frightened of car noises.

8. Claws. Stop games if she bites. Bring to an instant halt any games which get too rough. Tiny kitten teeth ad claws don't hurt much but as she gets older, they will hurt badly.

There's a tape available from the Blue Cross for people who want to socialise their kittens to various noises. If you are buying a pedigree kitten in the future buy this and give it to the breeder before the kitten is 8 weeks old.