I Have Read

sabbyjake

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That kittens that are held and socialised early develop faster, like open eyes sooner, walk sooner ECT....anyone know if that is true.
 

kashmir64

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I have dealt with orphan kittens many times and have never noticed early development in them. Even holding, feeding and socializing them as their 'mama', everything happened when it should and not earlier.
 

Genesis123

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I don't think there's any truth to what you read. However, I leave the babies alone -- paying them very little attention -- until they are about eight weeks old (even ten), so I suppose I can't speak to their developing faster because I've paid the early, frequent attention to them. Those times when I have checked in on them, they always seem to develop at the same rate as any other litter. (I have had many litters, here, over the last two decades.)

The reason I leave the babies alone is because I feel that is the time when they bond with their mom and she teaches them about the world (as she knows it). I do check in on them enough to know they are okay, getting plump, and are (seemingly) healthy.

Another reason I don't hover over them is because of an experience with a neighbor. One of my cats had kittens behind his shed, amongst some pilings. He found them and wouldn't leave them alone. Early on, I asked him to leave them alone and he promised he would. He said, often, he didn't go near them, but every day, several times, I saw him talking to them and picking them up. He took to one, in particular. My cat moved them around, so often, it was hard to keep track on them -- I feel it was because that man was such a nuisance. That one kitten, that he paid most attention to, grew up to be a nuisance -- going up to total strangers, rubbing against their legs, annoying them, and he just wouldn't stop. He did it to me, too, and I hated it. He's the only cat I've ever had that was like that and I am, somewhat, convinced that man is why. The cats I've had, over the years, have been social enough, without being "clingy", and, by no means, anti-social.

"Let go, let Mom" is my rule of thumb when it comes to moms and kittens. I don't think they develop faster for being paid attention to a lot, but, maybe, they develop differently. (??)

:)
 

golondrina

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It would be interesting to know where this info was published, also whether it was trying to encourage people to pay more attention to orphaned kittens?
 

lutece

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This originally came from studies done in the 1950s and 1960s.
Here are links to the original two articles by Meier (1959, 1961). The links won't give you full text articles (unless you have access), but the abstracts will give you an idea of the research. Also, I am including a screen shot excerpt from a book that summarizes the two articles, as well as a summary of a 1965 article that was published in the journal Child Development (unfortunately that article isn't easily available online).
SAGE Journals: Your gateway to world-class journal research
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037/h0045008

Screen Shot 2019-03-31 at 10.17.48 AM.png
 

marmoset

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I'd be interested to read the source material. IME they don't necessarily develop faster physiologically due to human handling. I think the biggest factor is prenatal nutrition and health condition of the mother with the experience level and attentiveness of the mother being second.

I think a lack of stimulation slows growth but it doesn't have to be from a human source. Cat moms are ridiculously amazing at mothering as long as they are healthy and secure in the environment. So they should be providing that stimulation.

Absolutely early handling helps with socialization towards humans but I don't handle very early. I only handle as needed for medical reasons if needed. It depends on the litter and the mother but I always find that letting mom do her thing and not interfering too much until at least they are starting to toddle is the way to go. I might be affected by my own circumstances though- I really only deal with feral moms that birth after being trapped for spay.
 

lutece

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These studies were done because a similar effect had been found in rats and other species, and they wanted to see if it would be found in cats, too. I do find it plausible that extra physical stimulation, over and above the normal stimulation that kittens get from mom, could result in slightly precocious early development. However, that doesn't mean you have to do it... "precocious" isn't necessarily better!

Personally, I don't handle kittens extensively before age 3 weeks... I weigh them twice daily and check on them to make sure they are ok, but otherwise I leave them with mom, as long as mom is doing her job. Once they are old enough to walk around, leave the nest and actively explore their environment, I do make sure they get plenty of handling.
 
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sabbyjake

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I don't think there's any truth to what you read. However, I leave the babies alone -- paying them very little attention -- until they are about eight weeks old (even ten), so I suppose I can't speak to their developing faster because I've paid the early, frequent attention to them. Those times when I have checked in on them, they always seem to develop at the same rate as any other litter. (I have had many litters, here, over the last two decades.)

The reason I leave the babies alone is because I feel that is the time when they bond with their mom and she teaches them about the world (as she knows it). I do check in on them enough to know they are okay, getting plump, and are (seemingly) healthy.

Another reason I don't hover over them is because of an experience with a neighbor. One of my cats had kittens behind his shed, amongst some pilings. He found them and wouldn't leave them alone. Early on, I asked him to leave them alone and he promised he would. He said, often, he didn't go near them, but every day, several times, I saw him talking to them and picking them up. He took to one, in particular. My cat moved them around, so often, it was hard to keep track on them -- I feel it was because that man was such a nuisance. That one kitten, that he paid most attention to, grew up to be a nuisance -- going up to total strangers, rubbing against their legs, annoying them, and he just wouldn't stop. He did it to me, too, and I hated it. He's the only cat I've ever had that was like that and I am, somewhat, convinced that man is why. The cats I've had, over the years, have been social enough, without being "clingy", and, by no means, anti-social.

"Let go, let Mom" is my rule of thumb when it comes to moms and kittens. I don't think they develop faster for being paid attention to a lot, but, maybe, they develop differently. (??)

:)
Even if it doesn't help them develop faster it's good for kittens to be socialized young or they turn feral....you can tame them after that but it's not the same.

20190331_234149.png
 

She's a witch

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Is it possible to “over” socialize kittens though? I remember reading something in the Bradshaw’s Cat Sense book that if kittens are handled too early and for too long daily, and by one person only, they would have troubles bonding to other person than the first care giver. I don’t remember the details of what he wrote so if someone knows anything about this, I’d appreciate the input.
 

kashmir64

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All the kittens I've fostered took to their new owners just fine. At that age, they'll take any love they can get and will bond quickly.
As long as they were socialized.
 

Norachan

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However, I leave the babies alone -- paying them very little attention -- until they are about eight weeks old (even ten),
That might not do any harm if you have a very friendly mother cat, kittens and mother inside the house and people around every day, but it's hardly the best way to socialise kittens.

Kittens need to get used to being handled from a much younger age than 8 weeks old. It's very hard to re-home skittish kittens, so they need to get used to being picked up and petted while they are very small.

A cat that is friendly enough to go up to strangers and rub against their legs would make a great pet, I doubt that any cat lovers would find him a "Nuisance". Of course, it would have been much better if the cat was kept safely indoors too.

;)

S sabbyjake Your cats seem to have had quite a lot of litters over the past few years. At least six in the time you've been posting on TCS, is that right? Have you managed to re-home any of the kittens? Do you need help finding a spay and neuter clinic?

Low-Cost Spay Neuter Assistance Program

Twin Cities - Low-Cost Spay / Neuter Clinics - TailsInc.com

Minnesota Humane Society » Low Cost Spay/Neuter

There are a few here you could try.

G Genesis123 It's important to get any cats you care for spayed and neutered. Please let us know if you need any help finding a clinic in your area.

Why You Should Spay And Neuter Your Cats

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sabbyjake

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Is it possible to “over” socialize kittens though? I remember reading something in the Bradshaw’s Cat Sense book that if kittens are handled too early and for too long daily, and by one person only, they would have troubles bonding to other person than the first care giver. I don’t remember the details of what he wrote so if someone knows anything about this, I’d appreciate the input.
They could get attached to one person if that is the only one they smell, As they grow I try to have (if the mom allows it) the kittens at least smell different people's smells and other smells, not by necessarily picking them up but by just letting the kittens smell their fingers.
 
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sabbyjake

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That might not do any harm if you have a very friendly mother cat, kittens and mother inside the house and people around every day, but it's hardly the best way to socialise kittens.

Kittens need to get used to being handled from a much younger age than 8 weeks old. It's very hard to re-home skittish kittens, so they need to get used to being picked up and petted while they are very small.

A cat that is friendly enough to go up to strangers and rub against their legs would make a great pet, I doubt that any cat lovers would find him a "Nuisance". Of course, it would have been much better if the cat was kept safely indoors too.

;)

S sabbyjake Your cats seem to have had quite a lot of litters over the past few years. At least six in the time you've been posting on TCS, is that right? Have you managed to re-home any of the kittens? Do you need help finding a spay and neuter clinic?

Low-Cost Spay Neuter Assistance Program

Twin Cities - Low-Cost Spay / Neuter Clinics - TailsInc.com

Minnesota Humane Society » Low Cost Spay/Neuter

There are a few here you could try.

G Genesis123 It's important to get any cats you care for spayed and neutered. Please let us know if you need any help finding a clinic in your area.

Why You Should Spay And Neuter Your Cats

When To Spay Or Neuter A Cat?
Yes, I have rehomed all of them and kept a few myself.
 

Norachan

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