Here are some of the biological reasons that make kittens emotionally predisposed to accepting humans so readily at this age:
During the weaning period from 4-8 weeks, kittens start the transition from complete dependence on mom to being completely independent. Some have likened the impact of this stage to the transformation of a Caterpillar to a Butterfly. Nature converges many things to make the readiness to quickly learn a completely new way of life from mom very strong at this point. For one thing, at this age, mother's milk is no longer enough nutrition to support the kitten's rapid growth. The kittens are anxious to accept a new source of food energy that can meet the demands of their growing bodies. Using food to tame kittens (as demonstrated in the Urban Cat League video TOUGH LOVE) is very effective at this age when they are craving nutrition and mentally open to new things. Taming to humans obviously wasn't part of nature's plan for this period in a kitten's life, but this is when that is most successfully accomplished.
It's during this weaning period that Mom would normally start bringing prey to the kittens to introduce a new energy source and start to teach them to hunt for themselves. Nature encourages this process by making mom increasingly intolerant of nursing, thereby increasing hunger in the kittens, adding an eagerness to learn to hunt. While nursing, moms have been steadily losing weight, using up their body stores. Nature needs her to stop nursing and caring for the kittens to regain her condition to be ready for the next breeding cycle. The growing teeth of the kittens, and their claws kneading her belly add a lot to make mom more interested in teaching them to hunt than continue nursing. Along with hormonal changes in mom, all of these influences come together for a very efficient transition to the kitten's independence. If you want to tame kittens for indoor life and/or adoption, this age at 4-8 weeks is your crucial window of opportunity.
To further impress the importance of this timing, science has shown that while kittens are very ready to learn and change habits at this age, they are also very stubborn to later change or give up any impressions formed at this age. It is important to create the good association with humans before they have learned otherwise. Once a fear of humans is ingrained, it is very hard to change their young minds after the fact.
It is also around 6 weeks when the kittens start leaving the den, that a new communication with mom develops as part of the learning process. Mom growls when there is danger and the litter scatters and hides until mom signals that the danger has passed. If humans are a perceived danger for mom, the kittens will be learning that directly from her. They can re-learn differently with the prompt introduction of a counter incentive of food and nurturing from humans, but they aren't easily convinced to change their minds after this second month of life has passed.
The period between 4-8 weeks is when nature has biologically predisposed kittens to learn and absorb basic life lessons at warp speed. Whichever teacher gets there first gets to have the strongest influence on their opinions for a lifetime.
Cats are very adaptable and will change their opinions over time but nature has stacked he deck against any "Johnny come lately" lessons in the joys of a life with humans.
Start the taming early, be consistent and get it done as young as possible!!! Otherwise be prepared to be very patient and forget any time line. It can be done, but there are no guarantees as to how long it might take to gain an older cat's trust.
Best, Mike
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your videos on youtube and this blog. I'm currently in the process of socialising four feral kittens (about 5 or 6 weeks old) from my mother in law's farm and they're going really well. After two days, they will happily sit in my lap and eat off my finger and I've gotten a few minutes with some purrs out of all of them after the food has run out. I wanted to let you know that I think I've one-upped your 'kitten crack cocaine' chicken baby food. I'm in Australia and most of the baby foods here are primarily vegetable with about 10% chicken (or less) in them. I decided to give Latvian Liverwurst a try and the kittens are going bananas over it. It is mostly meat (94%) with about 31% liver so its pretty good for them too. But some brands have onions in them. Its a pate (more mushy than spam but less liquid than baby food) and its a little cheaper than baby food here. I reckon give it a go, you can get it in the chain grocery stores here.
Thanks for that info. I should have imagined that around the world baby food is very different The two predominant brands here in the U. S are Beechnut and Gerber's. They only Meat and Water. Gerber's adds a little corn starch to help prevent diarrhea in human babies but that's it.
ReplyDeleteJessica,
I often get the question about onion being added to baby food which it isn't in these two brands. Onion is harmful to cat's.
The bottom line is finding some food that the cats crave and will consider doing something they consider risky to get it such as climb in you lap and get petted. Sometimes interactive play with a toy on a string can draw them near you when food doesn't do it. Thanks again!
I am in the process of training a 7 week old feral kitten that I found at my work warehouse. He has made considerable progress since we brought him home a week ago, but is very timid when people walk around our kitchen and approach him. He is still hissing, but will allow you to pick him up and does not growl or scratch when he is in your lap. How do I get him used to people walking up to him without him hissing?
ReplyDeleteThe hissing will pass in time if the other things you describe continue to go well. Cats are very independent and often posture by hissing. I think it's just an expression of their frustration that you have something they want (the food) and they are dependent on you to get it. They would rather be able to feed themselves and not rely on having to be nice to humans to get by. Don't scold for the hissing or you may make it worse and delay him building trust in humans. It will all pass in time. Best, Mike
ReplyDeleteI rescued a male feral cat a few months ago and easily tamed him. He wants to eat ALL the time. A few weeks ago he started vomiting and then stopped eating and was lethargic. It got so bad I had to take him to the Vet. They ran blood tests and nothing showed up. They put him on antibiotics and nausea meds. He was fine within a few days. Now he is starting to vomit again. I started wondering if it's because he is eating all the time so I'm measuring his food according to the package. He is obsessed with eating and when he sees that it's not time for him to eat he goes outside and eats snails and anything else he can find. He is fat. I have no idea what to do. Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteVomiting can have many causes so make sure to eliminate all possibilities with your vet before just assuming it is just over eating.
ReplyDeleteFormer Ferals and Street Cats that have had to fend for themselves on the street often have a life-long food issue fearing that there will always be a shortage of food if they ever went hungry.
Controlling food with an over-eater is easier for indoor only cats. With multiple cats it may be necessary to put chubby in the bathroom to eat his portion while the other cats have a longer time to finish their dishes before they are picked up. Leaving food out is nice for some cats but NOT for overweight cats. Dry food is much more fattening than wet and should be avoided.
Regular play sessions can work off the pounds and break up the boredom obsessing over when the next meal will be. Closing the bedroom door may be necessary if the hungry cat is making sleeping impossible.
Best, Mike
That's over boredom, it's also what i think.
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