Cuddly Kitten Day is March 23rd! Kittens are ridiculously cute, so it’s almost instinctive to want to cuddle them. If your feline pal is still a baby, then it actually is quite important for you to cuddle her. This will help build and strengthen that special love and friendship between you, and can help her grow up to be polite and friendly. Here, a Roanoke, VA vet offers some advice on raising little Fluffy to be cuddly and affectionate.
Positive Reinforcement
Kittens are almost as mischievous as they are cute. Little Fluffy will be very focused on mastering the use of all those claws and teeth. Sooner or later, she’s going to try them out on you. This may be cute with a tiny ball of fur, but it definitely is not cute in a full grown cat. When your feisty pet attacks you, tell her ‘No’ in a stern tone of voice. You can also squirt her with water or clap your hands. Then, just walk away and let her ponder things for a bit. You don’t want to hurt or scare her: the idea is to startle her enough to get the point across.
Be Furniture
Cats think of their humans almost as second parents. They also think of us as furniture. Let your furry little friend sleep on your lap or in your arms! This will help her feel safe and loved, which will strengthen the bond between you.
Interact With Your Pet
The more you interact with your pint-sized pet, the more interactive she’ll become. Talk to Fluffy, pet her, and play with her. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with talking to your feline buddy. Kitties are great listeners!
Avoid Punishment
Sooner or later, little Fluffy is going to misbehave. She may scratch your sofa, jump onto a counter, or knock your glass over. When she does, don’t yell at her or hit her. Focus on rewarding good behavior instead!
Socialize
Socialization will play a huge role in how your adorable pet’s purrsonality develops. Kitties that weren’t properly socialized are much more likely to be wary or aggressive to humans. Have some friends over to pet and play with little Fluffy. You probably won’t have too much trouble finding volunteers!
Please reach out with questions or concerns about your cat’s health or care. As your Roanoke, VA veterinary clinic, we’re here to help!
