{"id":8910,"date":"2022-01-28T19:55:58","date_gmt":"2022-01-28T19:55:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvn.tv-multi-theme.com.216-70-96-51.jvv2-rfnp.accessdomain.com\/?p=8910"},"modified":"2022-05-13T20:17:12","modified_gmt":"2022-05-13T20:17:12","slug":"kitten-socialization-classes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarynurse.com\/behavior\/kitten-socialization-classes\/","title":{"rendered":"School Is in Session: Kittens Only!"},"content":{"rendered":"

A fractious adult cat enters the veterinary clinic for routine care, leading to increased stress levels for everyone and increased risk to staff safety. Elsewhere, a fearful adult cat is relinquished to a shelter for behavior problems, including aggression and scratching furniture. Both scenarios are common and unfortunate.1,2<\/sup> But what if both scenarios could have been prevented and the cats could have been helped by a veterinary facility providing true wellness care that focuses on preventing physical and behavioral concerns and prioritizes a cat\u2019s unique needs? Such a veterinary facility would offer kitten socialization classes, a strategy that helps educate clients, develop resilient cats, and maximize welfare for all.<\/p>\n

Even though cats are more common than dogs as household pets, historically they are taken to the veterinarian less often than dogs.3<\/sup> Clients often describe the overwhelming struggle of getting the cat to the veterinary practice, compounded by stress during the visit.4<\/sup> One way to decrease the fear, anxiety, and stress associated with veterinary visits is carrier training.5<\/sup> Other ways are pilling practice, nail trims, and grooming, all skills that kittens can learn in class. Kittens with these skills become less stressed adult patients with more reliable physiologic parameters, will be easier to handle, and will be more compliant for examinations and prescribed treatments. <\/span><\/p>\n

Why Should Kittens Attend?<\/h2>\n

Kitten classes are not fluff or a silly idea dreamed up for \u201ccrazy cat ladies.\u201d Classes are research-based programs that provide kittens with guided exploration of objects and the environment as well as supervised group play. Client attendees benefit from learning about a cat\u2019s needs, body language, normal and abnormal behavior, how to modify behaviors, and how to help provide low-stress health and husbandry care. Clients in class have more time to share their concerns and get expert help. This additional service helps bond clients to the practice and reminds them to consult their veterinarian should they have future concerns versus getting haphazard advice from \u201cDr. Google.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Structured positive exposure during the socialization phase can promote resiliency in cats. In addition, if clients are properly educated about providing a healthy environment and positive reinforcement\u2013based training for their cat, behavior problems and relinquishment risks decrease.6,7<\/sup> Preventing relinquishment maintains the human-animal bond as well as the hospital\u2019s client base. Cats that easily accept treatments can receive more thorough veterinary care, thereby improving their health and increasing clinic revenue.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Should Kittens Attend?<\/h2>\n

Kitten classes capitalize on a kitten\u2019s sensitive development stage, when they are most receptive to engaging and learning from social and environmental situations. The primary socialization phase is from 2 to 7 weeks, but clinics can enroll kittens up to 12 weeks of age. Beyond 14 weeks, kittens can still benefit from training, but they often become wary and potentially aggressive toward unfamiliar cats,8<\/sup> which is why it is valuable for kittens to learn how to communicate with other cats while young, especially if the client plans to ever add another cat to the family. <\/span><\/p>\n

Where Should Classes Be Held?<\/h2>\n

Holding kitten classes in the veterinary clinic is ideal because then the kittens learn to associate the veterinary sights, sounds, and smells with positive events. Another benefit is practice riding in a carrier and car. Whenever in-person sessions are not possible, virtual classes can benefit older kittens, and some clinics may prefer to blend virtual and in-person attendance to extend the skills taught and reach more patients. <\/span><\/p>\n

Which Kittens Are Eligible?<\/h2>\n

All kittens meeting the age and health requirements should be enrolled in class. Especially important is enrolling kittens at higher risk for future behavioral problems, such as singleton\/bottle-raised kittens, kittens from feral or severely stressed queens, and kittens that received inadequate early nutrition (including in utero).9,10<\/sup> During class, kittens are observed in social settings, thereby enabling the instructor to identify any behaviors needing extra attention (e.g., avoiding interactions, lacking interest in play and food, shirking away from touch, hissing, fearing the carrier and\/or veterinary tools). <\/span><\/p>\n

How Do We Start?<\/h2>\n

After you decide to host kitten classes at your facility, you will need to make a number of decisions. Fortunately, many books and webinars on feline behavior are available for study and reference (<\/span>BOX 1<\/span><\/strong>). <\/span><\/p>\n

BOX 1 Feline Behavior Resources<\/div>
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