Vet Times The website for the veterinary profession https://www.vettimes.co.uk Kitten kindergarten: the way forward for socialisation? Author : Francesca Riccomini Categories : RVNs Date : March 1, 2008 Francesca Riccomini BVetMed, MRCVS, DAS(CABC), CCAB looks at how kitten socialisation is being developed in the USA THOSE of us who work in general practice and have an interest in animal welfare know only too well how many cats are relinquished due to problems associated with the way they behave towards, or are influenced by, owners, unfamiliar people, other pets in the home or local cats they meet outside it. We re also probably more aware than most of the alarming number of pet cats that leave a household and become homeless or, if they re lucky, turn up on the doorstep of their next, perhaps more congenial, household. Add to that those felines that simply suffer silently or turn their constant arousal and distress inwards, resulting in stress-related urinary spraying, over-grooming, fabric chewing or hyperaesthesia. Also, the number of animals negatively affected by life in general, and proximity to humans and other creatures, becomes not only significant but somewhat horrifying. Therefore, anything that can be done to improve the lot of our feline companions is to be welcomed. And any idea or technique that can aid us as professionals in helping owners to better understand and provide for their cats is evidently worth consideration. An idea that s taking hold One such notion - the brain child of experienced Australian veterinary behaviourist Kersti Seksel - is the kitten kindergarten (kindy), which has found favour in the USA and looks set to spread, as its advocates become more vocal and evangelical. First advanced a decade ago, the 1 / 8
concept was, in many ways, the logical next step after the successful adoption of puppy socialisation groups. It s especially pertinent as the cat is now the first-choice pet in a number of countries, and the domesticated feline population looks set to continue its inexorable rise. How it s done Generally held at veterinary clinics, participants should be carefully selected, with small group sizes, normally between three and no more than eight kittens. Health checks are universally regarded as essential and are aimed at excluding any individual that is not vaccinated, wormed and treated for external parasites, while examination for any signs of infectious disease should be carried out ahead of each session. One crucial issue is the age of the kittens, as the main feline socialisation period is short, approximately two to seven weeks. After this sensitive period a fear response to unusual things, individuals and situations kicks in, making it possible that the ethos behind the kindergarten will be undermined. Although there is some variation between institutions organising the classes, the minimum age is usually around six weeks and the maximum is 16 weeks old, although most prefer an earlier cut-off point. Those people whose kittens are too old to join are usually encouraged to come along and learn as much as they can. So although their pets can t actually take part, they can still benefit from the kindy, which inevitably tends to be a seasonal event reflecting the cyclical nature of feline reproduction. Who conducts the sessions? Veterinary personnel are usually responsible for organising and taking part in these groups although, in some clinics, non-veterinary behaviourists assist the resident veterinarian and nursing staff. It is not only desirable, but also essential that those running the kindergartens have a detailed knowledge of feline behaviour. The programme content also varies, as does the length of the sessions and duration of each course. One or two sessions lasting an hour or so seems to be the norm. All family members are encouraged to attend, which increases the variety of experiences for the pet, broadening its view of the world. Aims of kitten kindergartens One of the most important aims of this movement is to introduce young kittens in controlled surroundings to the major stressors they are likely to encounter as they grow up. These include those individuals and experiences that we as veterinary professionals know are frequent causes of fear, anxiety and general emotional trauma when in the surgery or outside it. Owners are helped to better understand the following: 2 / 8
how cats learn; general behaviour - cats come from a prey as well as a predator species; the importance and purpose of communication in feline society; the subtleties of feline body language and facial expression; the developmental phases through which their kitten will pass; what to expect at each stage; and the role owners play in ensuring their pet has the opportunity to grow and develop behaviourally as well as physically; and the effects of adulthood and old age. They are also advised on how to provide an appropriate management regime and an adequately cat-friendly home. New owners are offered advice about the best products available, such as carriers, litter trays, toys, activity centres and scratching posts. There is also special emphasis on avoiding common problem behaviours. Obedience training Many classes also introduce the rudiments of obedience training, with the idea of guiding pets towards the correct use of latrine facilities and scratching posts, for example. Avoiding boredom and lack of physical activity is also included, factors that frequently contribute to problem behaviour and medical conditions such as obesity and FLUTD. Preventing difficulties involving aggression is highlighted, with the emphasis on providing interactive toys and the avoidance of playing with fingers or inadvertently encouraging other potentially problematic styles of interaction between cats and people. Veterinary care Underlying all aspects of the sessions is the necessity for clients to have realistic expectations of their cats, both when young and into the future when their needs as adult and senior pets will alter, as well as being fully conversant with their own responsibilities, both veterinary and behavioural. Thus, dietary advice is dispensed, particularly in relation to avoiding the commonest medical problems, such as weight gain and kidney disease, and routine internal and external parasite control, dental care and neutering issues are discussed. Veterinary procedures are practised in ways that should positively condition the youngsters to spending time on the consulting room table, having their nails clipped and being exposed to detailed examinations. Their owners are also given demonstrations of how to tablet their pets and brush their teeth and are offered opportunities for hands-on experience. Desensitisation techniques are discussed and demonstrated for regular tasks such as pilling and grooming, and also in the use of the cat carriers and harness and leads, 3 / 8
for example, and making car travel as stress free as possible. Play punctuates serious endeavours However, it s not all hard work, as sessions are interspersed with down time aimed at everybody having fun. So play between kittens and people and, where appropriate, supervised interaction with other youngsters of similar size and boldness is encouraged. The philosophy being that gentle familiarisation at this sensitive, early stage with individuals of other species and one s own must inevitably lead to socialisation and, in future, reduce the chances of such encounters resulting in fear and stress. In fact, everything that happens at a well-run kitten kindergarten is aimed at promoting feline emotional wellbeing and avoiding potential medical and/or behavioural problems, thereby enhancing the owner-pet bond. Additional benefits include establishing good relationships between clients and individual veterinary surgeons and nurses as well as the clinic itself. If things go wrong in the future the pathway to a well-informed source of advice and support is already firmly trodden. This should go a long away to avoiding the all too frequently encountered scenario when veterinary opinion is sought too late in the day to restore harmony between owners and troubled pets with problem behaviour, if, indeed, it is sought at all before the pet is relinquished or, disappointingly, presented for euthanasia. Raising concern Understandably, advocates of the kitten kindergarten system point to the considerable benefits that accrue from wellrun classes conducted in an appropriate environment by knowledgeable, enthusiastic individuals. But some critical voices have been raised, and such concerns deserve recognition. Some of the doubts surround the potential for disease transmission, even where kittens are required to be vaccinated, blood tested, treated for parasites and subjected to detailed veterinary examination ahead of attendance. Others highlight the potential security risks. While others, especially those in the behavioural field who frequently deal with problem behaviours that have their roots in poorly conducted puppy socialisation sessions or dog training classes, point to the possibility that such well-intentioned intervention may cause as many problems as it is likely to solve. There are particular misgivings concerning the different interpretations of feline social behaviour and potential for hierarchy development, a topic that is currently subject to much scrutiny and often heated discussion, and about which we undoubtedly still have a great deal to learn. Avoiding mistakes No one disputes the benefits of desensitising young cats to stressors such as the carrier, car travel, or handling in the veterinary clinic. Nor can the value of educating owners so that they interact with, manage and provide for their cats in the light of a proper understanding of feline physical and emotional needs be questioned. However, whether it is appropriate to mix together in strange and 4 / 8
potentially aversive circumstances cats with differing socialisation experiences from a range of backgrounds, is something that deserves consideration. Add to this the particular sensitivities of some individuals that are not always easily recognised until after the event, and the possibility that those designated to conduct such sessions may, in some situations, have more enthusiasm than knowledge and the probability arises that harm may go hand in hand with help. We saw this happen when puppy parties were new, so let us not repeat the same mistakes. Undoubtedly, we do our cats a great disservice if we fail to take every opportunity to improve our own education with regard to all aspects of feline care including behaviour. As veterinary professionals we particularly owe it to them to do all we can to reduce the aversiveness of everything they experience at our hands, in addition to enlightening and supporting owners so that the overall burden of stress and distress to which pet cats are subjected is markedly diminished. In this spirit, it makes sense to encourage all the positive and helpful aspects of clients information and bonding activities and the kitten kindergarten system, but to do so with great care and only after due consideration of all the issues. For those interested in learning more, the American Association of Feline Practitioners has produced some feline behavior guidelines, which can be downloaded the website www.aafponline.org/resources/guidelines/feline_behavior_guidelines.pdf 5 / 8
The idea of the kitten kindergarten has taken hold in America, but will it catch on in UK veterinary practices? 6 / 8
The idea of the kitten kindergarten has taken hold in America, but will it catch on in UK veterinary practices? 7 / 8
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