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 In nature, early play teaches kittens
how to hunt, fight, play and escape danger. By five months of age,
it is normal kittens to beginning to play rough with other
kittens.
Do NOT allow
your kitten to bite or scratch your hands or feet in play as the
adult cat may escalate this play into painful play aggression.
Instead, DO select toys that provide your kitten outlets for normal cat behaviors.
DO keep play real - move feather toys like birds,
laser lights like bugs, and strings like mouse tails!
Even adult cats benefit from prey play to exercise normal feline
behaviors. If you do no keep prey play directed at
toys, your kitten may decide to stalk and attack you - moving
feet, fingers and toes..
DO keep play interesting by varying the game and
toy every few minutes and allowing your cat to win by pouncing on
the object DO let your cat win and add extra play motivation by
tossing in a treat as your cat catches the toy.
 Kitten Development
Adolescence[1]: 17 weeks to 1 year
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Sexual maturity if not
altered; spraying and fighting to protect territory
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If allowed outdoors, may
wander farther away from home.
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Keep a break-away collar
with an
identification tag on at all times.
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Consider a
microchip as permanent identification to avoid losing your
kitten.
AAFP.
(2004). Feline Behavior
Guidelines. Pg. 10. |
