Table 3
Behavioral development in cats14
Period/age |
Behavioral patterns and hallmarks |
---|---|
2 days | Purring begins |
10–14 days | Eyes open |
2 wk | Age at which separation from mother leads to fearful/aggressive behavior to cats/humans |
2–4 wk | Closeness of other kittens has a calming effect |
End of 3rd wk | Kittens able to recognize their mother by sight and smell |
3 wk | Queen begins to teach predatory behavior |
3 wk | Kittens eliminate voluntarily |
3–7 wk | Age at which singleton kittens emerge from nest box |
3–4 wk | Normal social play behavior starts |
4 wk | Age at which kittens exposed to another species (e.g., dogs) show no fear at 12 wk |
4 wk | Age through which kittens cannot retract their claws |
5 wk | Age at which kittens will use scratching material if provided |
2–5 wk | Early period for social play. Early exposure to humans essential |
5–6 wk | Kittens independent in their ability to eliminate and find suitable substrates. Appropriate materials should be provided |
~6 wk | Adult-like response to visual/olfactory stimuli, including the silhouettes of adult cats/adult cat urine |
5–7 wk | Middle period for social play. Continued exposure to and play with humans/other species essential |
~6 wk | Gape/Flehmen response appears (open mouth sniff to volatilize compounds through the vomeronasal organ) |
7 wk | Gape/Flehmen response fully developed |
Birth to 45 days | During this period, if kittens are handled regularly, their approach to unfamiliar objects is rapid and more time is spent with objects and environment at 4–7 mo |
5.5–9.5 wk | Age at which if kittens are handled by multiple people less fear is shown later/more interest in people later. More complex interaction recommended |
7 wk | Kittens begin to cover their urine/feces if they are going to do so |
7–10 wk | Late period for social play. Last age at which first exposures to humans can still readily ease the extent to which cats are comfortable with humans. More time/day with humans than required earlier to get the same result |
By 60 days | Object play increases |
4–12 wk | No sex differences in social play behavior |
6–12 wk | Pounce, belly-up, and stand-up displays are 90% effective in obtaining play response from another kitten |
By 12 wk | Social play patterns become more associated with predatory behavior/social fighting |
Birth to 12–14 wk | Handling kittens for only 15 min/day produces kittens more solicitous of people |
14 wk | Postsocial play period |
14 wk | Social fighting may start |
12–16 wk | Sex differences appear in social play behavior |
12–14 wk | Social play behavior begins to decline |
Table adapted from Manual of clinical behavioral medicine for dogs and cats
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