Nothing seems to faze them. Flashing cameras, loud noises, new people â none of it seems to matter to them. Mama cat might not be thrilled, but the kittens donât seem to care. A few weeks later, those same kittens may cower in fear of someone just walking towards them or a new sound or smell. Why?
WellâŠ
A four-month-old kitten goes to its first show. This little one doesnât seem to notice the crowds and happily plays with the judgeâs toy. Two months later, that same six-month-old kitten shrinks in fear and tucks itself into a ball on the judgeâs table, unwilling to even look at the judge. Whatâs up with this? There were no negative instances that you noticed at the last show â this behavior just seemed to come out of the blue.
What you may be experiencing is loosely referred to as the âfear period.â It follows a period of rapid brain development in the kitten that begins at about two weeks of age, begins to taper off at about seven weeks, and is finished at around 14 weeks. By 14 weeks, the kittenâs brain has nearly reached adulthood, unlike its body. If a kitten is not properly socialized prior to reaching the age of 14 weeks, its new owner may find it much more difficult to integrate their new furball into their home.
Avoiding the Fear Period
Early socialization is key to avoiding this fear period. A kittenâs socialization period, also known as the sensitive period, begins at two weeks of age and ends between seven and ten weeks. It begins with self-play and batting objects, with social play beginning at around three weeks. Social play continues to increase until about the age of 12 weeks, then begins to wane in favor of object play. Object play dominates until about the age of four months, then it too begins to wane.
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Life With Patrick
Patrick and Mount Doom
Feline Photographers Part 1
\"Cats never strike a pose that isn't photogenic.\" - Lillian Jackson Braun
The Cat Fancy Alphabet
\"The Cat Fancy Alphabet\" is a new feature in Cat Talk. It highlights various terms and aspects of the cat fancy, educating fanciers new and old about our hobby.
UP CLOSE AND Purr-sonal
If there is one person, or even just a name, that anyone in CFA (Cat Fancier Association) knows, it would have to be Allene Tartaglia. It might be from her involvement with most aspects of the operations of CFA in her position of executive director. Or perhaps from her deep involvement with both the CFA Annual meeting and/or the International Show. Cat Talk thought it was time to learn more about one of the most key people in CFA.
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Just as people are challenged by having deficiencies with vision and hearing over time, so are senior cats. In senior cats, pet owners may notice their cats are no longer responding to them in the same way; however, it may be difficult to figure out.
Senior Cats and House Soiling
Why is my cat no longer using its litter box? Cat soiling in the house is one of the most talked about issues for pet owners.
Nutrition for Our Senior Cats
From the time they are born, our kittens receive a tremendous amount of care, with diet being at the core of their growth and development.
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Alternative Arthritis Treatments for Cats
Just like humans, cats can experience arthritis. About 90% of cats over the age of 10 years experience osteoarthritis (OA) in at least one joint.1 It is a complex condition involving inflammation and degeneration of one or more joints and is sometimes referred to as degenerative joint disease (DJD). Cats with OA experience pain and inflammation in various joints that interfere with daily activities.
Checklist For What to Look For in Your Club's Next Show Venue
Show Manager To Ring One, Please