| Cats and kittens are a wonderful creatures. They are | | | | they don't hurt you when they are playing. What is |
| inquisitive, energetic, and love to play. They can be | | | | fun in a kitten can become very annoying in a full |
| easily occupied with nothing more than a ball of | | | | grown cat. A gentle nip from a kitten can become a |
| string, a small ball with a bell in it, a feather on a | | | | blood-drawing bite from an adult cat and it is much |
| string or a soft toy. It is so easy to lose an hour or | | | | easier to train a kitten than retrain an adult. They |
| two playing with your kitten or cat and bonding with | | | | have no way of knowing what is right or wrong |
| it. And the more time spent playing with and bonding | | | | unless they are taught. |
| with your cat, the more love and affection you will | | | | Like all living things, kittens and cats crave love and |
| receive in return. | | | | safety. They need someone they can trust to |
| The games that kittens love to play are those that | | | | provide them with love, and the necessities of life. |
| will help develop their natural instincts. Games like | | | | Kittens, especially, need boundaries set. Unwelcome |
| chasing and pouncing on things help train them to | | | | behaviour is such as jumping on the counter or desk, |
| catch their own food, such as mice. Of course, the | | | | or scratching furniture need to be changed as early |
| more practice they have, the better they will | | | | as possible. Just like with children, the longer you |
| become at catching their own food. Be prepared for | | | | leave bad habits unchallenged, the longer it takes to |
| your kitten to practice on you. Kittens love to hide | | | | change them. |
| behind things and leap out at you as you walk past. | | | | Remember, these are natural instincts that would |
| As kittens, they are not really aware of the | | | | have been taught by their mother if they had stayed |
| significance of what they are doing. To them, it is | | | | with her. A cat's natural instincts are crucial for their |
| just a fun game. However it is essential for their | | | | survival. And it is so much fun watching them and |
| growth and maturity that they be allowed to practice | | | | playing with them while they develop these skills. |
| this behaviour. It is up to you to train your kitten so | | | | |