• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Litter Box 101: Classes for kittens

January 12, 2009

There's more to cat school than just sleeping, stretching, and snacking.

Cats aren't generally expected to sit, shake, or heel. But for owners looking to prevent their cats from hiding under the bed when company visits the house or refusing to cooperate with the veterinarian, the solution may be as simple as a few lessons in school.

Kitten kindergarten has reached the United States, after its introduction by Australian veterinary behaivorist Dr. Kersti Seksel nearly a decade ago. The courses, designed for cats ages 7 to 14 weeks, allow kittens to play and interact with their owners and other cats. To participate in the classes, kittens must be up-to-date on shots, have a form signed by a veterinarian saying they're in good health, and have tested negative for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV).

New owners can learn the basics, like feeding, litter box maintenance, grooming, and playing with their pet. More experienced owners can further socialize their pet to prevent future behavior problems.

Advertisement

Steve Dale, a cat behavior consultant in the Chicago area, teaches kitten kindergarten classes around the country. He developed his curriculum based on Dr. Seskel's teachings and feline behavior guidelines from the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Behavior goals are achieved through a variety of games, drills, and introductions to other cats, people, and even dogs.

According to Arden Moore, editor of Catnip, a monthly cat magazine from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, socializing cats at a young age is paramount to developing good behavior. “You're showing your cat that the carrier is a safe, welcoming place,” she says. “The car is no big deal. And the veterinarian's office is no big deal. You're getting them used to being handled by different people and safely introduced to new environments.”

Source: The Daily Cat

Related Content:

Career DevelopmentLeadership & Personal GrowthFeline Medicine
Proper praise for a flourishing team environment
Proper praise for a flourishing team environment
Chronic feline pain from all perspectives
Chronic feline pain from all perspectives
Q&A with a keynote: Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, DABVP (Feline)
Q&A with a keynote: Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, DABVP (Feline)

Advertisement

Latest News

An update on copper concerns in pet foods

Dental hacks to make every case more manageable

Q&A with a keynote: Walter Brown, RVTg, VTS, ECC

News wrap-up: This week’s headlines, plus dvm360® launches its first CE podcast

View More Latest News
Advertisement