The Importance of social and environmental learning: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Kitten

At RSPCA NSW, we believe that every kitten deserves a loving home where they can flourish into confident and happy cats. One important role of raising a well-adjusted kitten is social and environmental learning. Let’s explore why this is important and how you can ensure your furry friend grows up to be a resilient companion.

Why social and environmental learning matters.

Social and environmental learning involves exposing an animal to a range of experiences in a positive and gradual manner to help them prepare for and cope with different situations, interactions, and environments. It is essential to ensure that kittens grow up into well-adjusted adults who relate well to others and the world around them. Between two – eight weeks of age is a very important time in a kitten’s life as this is when their brain and sensory systems are rapidly developing. Throughout this period is when they are highly responsive to developing social relationships and learning about their environment, which will have long term effects on the kitten’s health and behaviour.

How to introduce social and environmental learning.

Provide positive, consistent, and predictable human-cat social interaction:

Your cat will benefit greatly from positive, consistent, and predictable interactions with people. The earlier this starts, the better, as early consistent positive experiences with a variety of people of different ages and genders will reduce potential fear and stress the cat feels around people during their life. It is important to remember before starting this, the key with any positive learning experience is that the kitten must be in a positive emotional state for it to develop a positive interaction association.

Some examples of predictable human-cat social interaction include, gentle handling, such as petting, holding, and stroking, according to the kitten’s comfort level. Rewarding the kitten with treats, toys, or affection when they respond well to human contact. Including various activities like playtime, feeding, and grooming to expose kittens to different types of human interactions.

Respect their independence:

Introductions to other pets should occur gradually, at a pace in which each individual kitten is comfortable. They should always have the ability to avoid the other if they wish to do so and should never be forced to interact. Providing each individual with their own pleasurable activity (such as engaging with treats, play time or interaction with a caregiver) may help create a positive perception of one another. Each cat varies in how sociable they’ll want to be with humans and other animals. They also have individual preferences (for example, in how they like to interact and play, where they like to rest, and how they like to spend their time) and individual responses to situations, which are influenced by factors such as their previous experiences and personality.

Providing the right environment:

Carers should ensure exposure to a wide range of normal environmental activities. Gradual exposure to new environments helps them adapt to changes with less stress. Meeting your cat’s environmental needs is essential for them to be as physically and mentally healthy as they can be. This includes ensuring that they have choice about where they eat, drink, rest, play, scratch, and toilet. The environment should also be arranged in a way that encourages sleep as it is vital for good emotional development. From birth, kittens need around 20-22 hours of sleep per 24 hour period! As they grow, they will need slightly less, however, from approximately eight weeks and through to adulthood they will require 12-14 hours in a 24hour period.

Utilise Playtime:

Interactive playtime helps your kitten develop their natural instincts and social abilities. Use various toys and engage in play that mimics real-life hunting experiences. This not only strengthens your bond but also allows your kitten to express natural behaviours. Although we want to avoid cats preying on live animals, we still want to provide them with opportunities to express these important natural behaviours which involve finding, capturing (including stalking, chasing, pouncing, and grabbing), dispatching, and consuming their prey. Kittens should never be encouraged to predate on hands, hair or any other human body part as this can be problematic as they grow. Simply direct their attention to a string toy.

Ensure you are meeting their basic environmental needs:

Before even considering social and environmental learning it is important to ensure you are meeting their basic environmental needs. Whether kittens are raised in an environment with or without the queen, caregivers have a huge responsibility to provide an optimal physical and social environment according to the needs of the species to safeguard the welfare of the kittens and the queen (if she is present) and to promote healthy physical and behavioural development.  Some examples of basic needs are optimal sleep, a multitude of resources scattered in different locations, the right nutrition, the opportunity to express normal predatory behaviours and optimal weight.

Introduce Outside Noises from a Young Age

From the age of three weeks, exposure to different noises (in a positive and controlled manner) may increase the kitten’s capacity to cope when they encounter common household sounds later in life. Think about one household sound that you may introduce to a kitten (e.g. vacuum cleaner) and record it on your phone, test the volume of this recording outside the kitten’s room. Then, introduce the audio to the kitten a distance away from them at a volume that is barely audible. If no response, over repeated sessions, increase the volume slightly, ensuring the kitten is comfortable throughout.

It is important to note that this guide is not intended to be a ‘checklist’ or ‘exposure challenge’ to complete. When any cats and/or kittens in your care display body language that indicates they are uncomfortable and wish to avoid a particular trigger (e.g. object, human, another animal) this must always be allowed and respected. It is of no benefit to expose any animal to something that makes them feel frightened or anxious if they are already feeling threatened or unsure. The memories they form will likely be negative ones, which can impact future learning. If any cats and/or kittens are showing signs of fear, anxiety, or stress then this must seek advice from a behaviour consultant/vet. Some examples of signs of fear may include hiding, loss of appetite, repetitive behaviours like constant grooming and increased vocalisations such as growling or meowing.

Social and environmental learning is one of the most important gifts you can give your kitten. It sets the foundation for a healthy, happy, and well-adjusted adult cat. By making it a fun and positive experience, you ensure that your furry friend grows up to be a safe, happy, and healthy cat.