PET TALES

The right start
Don't neglect the opportunities to make your kitten a great cat
BY SUSAN AND DR. ROLAN TRIPP
Universal Press Syndicate

What is more adorable than a tiny kitten pedaling soft paws on your chest and purring up a storm? Enjoy your kitten, but never forget to make the most of this special time to ensure you'll end up with a wonderful cat.

Kittens begin to learn life's lessons at an early age - 3 weeks is the start of a critical period in their lives as companion animals. From the time their eyes open until the fluffy babies are about 10 weeks old, kittens are developing impressions of the world that will stay with them for life.

These early experiences shape an adult cat's personality and attitudes about strange people, pets and places, wearing collars or harnesses, getting baths or nail trims, being examined, or riding in a car or carrier. Within this period - about 5 to 8 weeks of age - is a wonderful and important time for teaching a kitten to use the litter box and scratching post, and to play with toys instead of fingers and toes.

But most kitten owners are completely unaware of this small window of teachable moments. Instead of actively and deliberately creating experiences to shape their kittens' perceptions and household behaviors, they let their kittens grow up mostly on their own.

When the owners aren't watching, kittens form bad habits by trying out stretches and nail-sharpening on the furniture, or finding a bath mat or shag carpeting that seems as good a place as any to potty. On their own, they learn to jump on counters and explore tables, and to chew on houseplants and their owners' food. And when no cat trees are to be found, kittens may climb curtains for fun or to perch up high - both are normal feline behaviors.

And it's not all fun and games: Curious kittens may swallow small objects or fall out of windows if screens are not secured.

All these missed opportunities and potential hazards underscore the need for getting involved in training your kitten. Here are some basic tips to help make the most of this special time in any cat's life:

to use scratching posts and cat trees. Praise all behaviors you want

to continue.

for visiting friends or the veterinary hospital. Feed your

kitten in the carrier and make it

a place for surprise treats. Get

your kitten used to short car

rides with treats, toys and

positive attention.

to shape your kitten into

a relaxed, confident, friendly, affectionate

and well-behaved member of your family. Hand-feed your kitten before and in between meals. When your kitten is already relaxed, use special treats to introduce new experiences such as gentle handling, wearing collars, harnesses or getting one nail trimmed. Think of teeny-tiny baby steps and of creating a positive first impression. Provide your kitten's favorite treats and finger-scratch your kitten in favorite places to help offset small amounts of stress. Help your kitten recover and relax by going slowly without using any force.

Always keep in mind the cat you want your kitten to be, and create a socialization checklist that gives you homework for shaping your kitten's personality and perspective on life one day and one baby step at a time. ¦