Understanding your kitten's behaviour
Kittens can't speak, but they will communicate with you in a number of ways. Reading body language and listening to the sounds they make can tell you a lot about what they need from you.
Calm
A calm posture is your kitten's neutral state from which all other body language develops. It's important to know how your kitten behaves when they are friendly so that you can recognise even the subtle changes.
Interested
If your kitten is interested in something, they will show it through their body language. This isn't exclusively a reaction to something negative, and merely shows your kitten's focus on specific items/situations. If your kitten is showing interest in toys, it's a good idea to engage them in games or play. This will offer both mental and physical stimulation, but also provides an excellent opportunity for bonding.
Relaxed
Relaxed behaviour from your kitten is a great indication that they are feeling comfortable, settled or secure in any given situation.
Worried
It's important to recognise the signs of worry or distress in your kitten. If they appear to be worried, you should try to remove the trigger and give your kitten space. Make sure that your kitten is always able to remove themselves from a situation and access higher spaces to calm down.
Fearful
There are several body language cues your kitten might display if they are fearful. One posture which indicates a fearful cat is the arched back and puffed up tail. The purpose of this behaviour is often to make themselves as large or as imposing as possible to dissuade potentially hostile encounters. As with worried cats, it's important to remove any potential triggers to allow your kitten to calm down.
Guiding behaviours
A kitten's behaviour is highly influenced by others. In their early weeks and months, your kitten will have adopted a number of behaviours from their litter-mates and mother. When they arrive at your home, it's up to you to reinforce the positive behaviours they exhibit and minimise any negative actions.
Your kitten's grooming habits
Cats are well known for their cleanliness and kittens are no different. Self-grooming isn't just about removing loose hairs and dirt, however. This action also serves an emotional function for your pet.
Kitten behaviour explained
Your kitten's behaviour may seem unusual, but there's often a reason for it. Discover some of the explanations for your kitten's behaviour below.
In early months, your kitten could be scratching to remove the outer shell of their nails and allow growth. Scratching is also a natural way for your kitten to mark their territory. To avoid them scratching your furniture, invest in suitable alternatives such as a scratching post or mat. Because cats scratch to mark their territory, it is important to put their scratching posts or pads in areas they commonly scratch.
A common mistake pet owners make is engaging their kitten in play with their hands. Doing so can unknowingly reinforce the idea that your kitten is allowed to nip, bite or scratch your hand. The best way to deter this behaviour is to offer your kitten alternative toys when playing.
Another cause for biting could be a disruption to their established routine. Changing their sleeping or eating spot, introducing new additions to the family, or moving house could all contribute to anxiety in your kitten. If not handled carefully, these changes could result in biting behaviour.
There could be a number of reasons that your kitten isn't using their litter tray. First, consider whether the tray is in a suitable position, far enough away from their food bowls and in an easily accessible but discreet location where they won't be disturbed. If your kitten is sharing with another cat, this could be a cause of stress or intimidation and result in your kitten not using the tray. It's recommended to have at least one tray per cat in the home, plus one spare.
As with biting, your kitten could be avoiding the litter tray due to anxiety or disruption to their routine. Consider whether your kitten has had a change in their routine or social situation recently.
If you have eliminated all of these possible causes, it could be a sign of illness. If you are ever unsure about your kitten's health or behaviour it's important to consult your vet.
Vocalisation from your kitten could have a number of different meanings, depending on their context, tone, or length. A meow could indicate that your kitten is hungry, would like to play, or act as a simple greeting. Understanding your kitten's vocalisations and body language will offer you a great foundation for an ongoing, fulfilling relationship. Find out more about recognising your kitten's social cues above.