New kittens can be fun, adorable, and fun pets. Not only can petting him relieve your stress, it can be fun and relax your cat. When you first bring him home, it's important to make him social so he can get used to being around people, not being startled by being stroked and touched, and knowing that being touched is fun and safe. Not only that, a cat who is used to socializing will not be so rebellious when you trim his nails, brush his teeth, comb his fur, give him medicine, and do other things to take care of him or show affection for him.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Pets the Kitten
Step 1. Sit down
When you're first trying to get your kitten used to you, it's a good idea to be on the same level as him if you want to interact. Birds are natural enemies of cats, so cats are usually afraid of anything that is above them.
- When you want to play and pet your cat, sit on a chair, couch, or on the floor to make yourself less scary. If it feels comfortable, you can try lying on the floor.
- You can use treats or toys to get his attention, but try to get the kitten to come to you.
Step 2. Let the kitten kiss your hand
Especially if you're dealing with a semi-wild, shy, or unsocial cat. Allow him to smell your scent before you touch him. When he gets close, extend your hand toward him and let him sniff you.
- As long as your cat is calm and unafraid, slowly and gently reach out and pet him.
- Start by stroking the body parts that cats often use to mark their territory. Many cats enjoy being petted on these areas of the body, including the base of the chin, ears, tail, and cheeks.
Step 3. Stroke her chin
As your kitten gets used to you and gets used to your petting, you'll know where she likes being petted. Many cats like to be petted under the chin.
Once the kitten approaches you and sniffs your hand, slowly move your hand toward your chin and use the back of your hand or fingertips to stroke and scratch under the chin where the jaw and skull meet
Step 4. Scratching the cheeks
After petting her chin, slowly move your hand slightly to stroke your kitten's cheek behind the whiskers.
If your kitten turns its head and pushes its face into your hands, this is a sign that it likes your caress
Step 5. Caress the ears
While some cats don't like having their ears touched, many like it when the base of the ear is stroked, as well as the area behind and between the ears, and the area between the ears and eyes.
Gently move your hands from your chin to your cheeks to your ears, gently caressing and scratching his face as you move your hands from area to area
Step 6. Caress the base of the tail
Many cats love it when the buttocks and thigh areas are stroked. Gently stroke the base of the tail. You'll know he loves it if he lowers himself on his forelegs and lifts his ass in the air!
Step 7. Stroke her back
Gently place your hand on the kitten's head and gently stroke its back all the way to its tail. Some cats don't mind being petted in the opposite direction (from tail to head) but some cats don't like it. Therefore, start with a head-to-tail direction.
Once your cat has gotten used to being petted, you can pet her chin, cheeks, ears, and then pull your hands back toward her tail, petting her buttocks and thighs
Step 8. Try to do it gently
Kittens are weak creatures and you could easily accidentally hurt them if you treat them too harshly or knock them down. Do not squeeze the kitten, hug it too tightly, or grip its tail or ears.
- While carrying her, place one hand behind her front leg and use the other to lift her back.
- Older children should be taught how to handle a kitten gently and how to hold it properly and they should not pick it up by its nape.
- Children under five should not handle kittens at all because they don't understand the difference between gentle and rough touch.
Step 9. Stop if your cat seems stressed
Kittens and cats can show stress, fear, and anxiety in a variety of ways. If your kitten shows any of these signs, you should stop petting her and give her some space to cool off. Signs of fear and anger include:
- Hissing, growling, and snarling.
- Ears that are pulled back, sideways, or flush with the head.
- Curved back.
- Feathers stand.
Part 2 of 2: Getting Used to Touching Kittens
Step 1. Caress him every day
As long as your cat is over five days old, she should be held and petted daily to get used to touch. This can help bond with you and get him used to the scent of the human body.
Getting your cat to socialize and feel touched is especially important during the first seven weeks of his life (minus the first week or two)
Step 2. Let other people caress it too
As long as you believe these people can be kind and gentle, familiarize your kitten with as many people as possible by allowing friends and family to pet them too. This kind of socialization will increase the chances that he will become a loving and friendly adult cat.
Step 3. Get her used to being touched by the soles of her feet
Many cats don't like the touch of their paws, but getting your cat used to this can help them learn to enjoy being petted, and make it easier to trim their nails.
- Start by gently stroking the kitten's chest and slowly move your hand to one of its paws until you touch the sole of its paw. Go back to his chest and repeat on the other leg. When you've done that, give him a treat.
- Gradually increase the time you spend touching the paws until your kitten gets used to you touching them. Make sure you give a snack in return after that.
Step 4. Try to touch his ears
Start by scratching the back of his head around his ears. Then with one finger, gently stroke one ear and scratch his head again. Repeat on the other ear and reward him with a snack.
Each time you do this, slowly increase the time you spend touching his ear, until he no longer mind. As you get him used to this, don't forget to give him a treat in return
Step 5. Brush the bristles weekly
Use a small brush for the cat. Brush the bristles in the direction they are growing (head-to-tail brush) for a few minutes each week. This not only gets him used to being touched in different ways, but also helps in reducing hair loss and reduces the chances of him choking on the fur ball.
