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Single kitten syndrome refers to behaviors generally displayed by kittens adopted alone right into a single-cat family or who, for no matter purpose, undergo kittenhood with out littermates or different feline companions.
Though not formally acknowledged, it’s clear to many rescue organizations that single kitten syndrome is a really actual factor and that it generally impacts profitable adoptions. For this purpose, it’s vital to get clued up on single kitten syndrome if you happen to’re desirous about adopting a fluffy buddy someday quickly.
What Is Single Kitten Syndrome?
Often, whenever you’re in talks with a rescue group about adopting a kitten, you’ll discover that they suggest adopting a pair somewhat than a single kitten. For some organizations, it’s a cast-iron requirement that cats beneath a sure age don’t go to their new properties alone. There’s a superb purpose for this.
When kittens are raised alone with out companions, they miss out not solely on vital social interactions but additionally important classes in the right way to socialize and play appropriately. In a litter, kittens give each other suggestions, which suggests their responses to sure behaviors assist instill in each other what’s acceptable and what’s not.
For instance, if one kitten performs too roughly with one other and hurts them, the opposite kitten could cry out, and the mom of the litter will typically leap in to right the inappropriate habits. These cues from mother and their brothers and sisters educate the kittens that what they’re doing is just not okay and gained’t be tolerated.
If a kitten doesn’t have these sorts of interactions and corrections, they generally carry inappropriate behaviors like biting into maturity and direct them towards people. In addition to studying to play properly, kittens discover ways to use the litter field by following what their mother and littermates do.
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What Are the Signs of Single Kitten Syndrome?
Single kitten syndrome manifests itself in a wide range of unsavory methods, and most are associated to how they work together with people. Unfortunately, some adopters decide to return their kitties with these drawback behaviors as they don’t know the right way to handle them. Cats with this “syndrome” will seemingly show some or all the following behaviors:
Note: Not each kitten that’s adopted alone will show these behaviors—most adapt very properly to their new properties with none issues. Each case is exclusive, and organizations are likely to deal with each as such when deciding what sort of residence or residing state of affairs can be finest for a person kitten or cat.
- Biting onerous throughout play
- Using claws throughout play
- Excessive clinginess
- Biting your ankles whenever you stroll by or stroll away
- Chewing objects round your property
- Scratching furnishings or different objects they shouldn’t scratch
- Going to the lavatory exterior the litter field
- Suckling on materials and generally even on you or different pets
- Attention-seeking
- Excessive vocalizing
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What Are the Causes of Single Kitten Syndrome?
In a nutshell, single kitten syndrome is believed to be brought on by an absence of social interplay with different cats at a younger age, and there are a number of explanation why a kitten could miss out on these interactions. One instance is that if a kitten is discovered orphaned and is fostered in a house with out every other kitties.
Most circumstances of reported single kitten syndrome, nonetheless, contain kittens who’re adopted alone and go to a house with out kittens of the same age. Even if a kitten has been raised as one among a litter or with equally aged companions, the socialization course of isn’t over as soon as a kitten goes to a brand new residence. Adopted alone, they could really feel lonely of their new properties, particularly if their human companions spend a number of hours a day away from residence.
Furthermore, even when you have already got an grownup cat at residence, this may’t all the time present your kitten with the kind of socialization they want on account of a mismatch in vitality ranges, however this is determined by the personalities of the person cats. Some cats stay very playful into maturity and welcome new mates to play and snuggle with, whereas others could shortly get fed up with the brand new kitten’s (generally rude) invites to play.
The identical goes for properties with canine. Some cats and canine get alongside like a dream and play collectively ceaselessly—which is nice for each of them and helps stop loneliness and stress—however canine and cats don’t be taught the identical behaviors (like utilizing a litter field), so the canine can’t actually mannequin all the suitable behaviors on your kitten.
Unfortunately, there isn’t presently any analysis that backs up the existence and subsequently causes of single kitten syndrome. In reality one latest examine didn’t really discover a hyperlink between early social publicity and aggression and reported that almost all of things related to aggression had been associated to the cat’s persona, residence surroundings and coaching strategies.
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How Do I Care for a Kitten with Single Kitten Syndrome?
Of course, this is determined by the recommendation supplied by the rescue group, but when they assume it will be within the kitten’s finest curiosity, please take into account adopting two collectively. If you’ve already adopted a single kitten however have determined you need to undertake a companion for them, it’s not too late to succeed in out to a rescue group.
Some individuals are postpone due to the additional duty concerned in parenting two cats, however you could reap rewards in different methods—kittens with companions have an outlet for his or her vitality and are much less liable to loneliness, which suggests higher habits and a extra relaxed family total. In that sense, two kitties may properly be simpler than one!
The most vital factor is to speak with the rescue group to make sure the most effective human-kitty match doable. As talked about above, adoptions are handled on a case-by-case foundation relying on what’s finest for the person kitten.
If adopting two kittens actually isn’t an choice for you, you’ll want to verify your kitten has loads of alternatives for psychological stimulation and play. You’ll additionally must instill a way of boundaries in your kitten to assist educate the right way to work together appropriately. Here are some ideas:
- Play together with your kitten often with toys like chaser wands (they will’t get close to your arms if you happen to use these).
- Redirect aggressive behaviors onto a toy.
- Use puzzle feeders to maintain your kitten busy, particularly if you happen to’re going to be out of the home for some time.
- Don’t encourage your kitten to chew your hand. It won’t damage whereas they’re kittens, however it’s an entire different story if an grownup cat does it. Immediately take your arms away if this occurs and tuck them beneath your armpits.
- If your kitten is biting you and gained’t cease, calmly rise up and stroll away to point out them you gained’t have interaction with them after they’re doing that.
- Provide cozy, protected areas to assist your kitten really feel safe.
- Start litter field coaching immediately by often inserting your kitten within the field. Move the (clear) litter round together with your arms to point out them the right way to paw at it. Reward them after they use the field. Put the field in a quiet, calm, simply accessible, well-lit space.
- Make positive everybody in your house is on the identical web page when it comes to not encouraging aggression.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What If the Rescue Organization Won’t Let Me Adopt Only One Kitten?
Some rescue organizations make it a requirement that kittens are adopted in pairs, although some would possibly make exceptions in sure circumstances if it’s finest for the kitten in query.
Whatever the principles of the group, respect them—they’re within the kittens’ (and subsequently your) finest pursuits and are in place for good purpose. If a pair is a no-no for you, you would possibly need to take into account adopting an older kitten or an grownup cat. Work with the group to search out the most effective match for you—they’re there to assist.
What Are the Benefits of Adopting Two Kittens?
As defined above, kittens be taught vital social classes from each other to allow them to develop as much as be well-rounded and non-aggressive (and subsequently extra trainable), however in addition they present each other with companionship.
They play collectively, snuggle collectively, and groom each other, which supplies every kitten a way of safety and takes a number of the strain off you (plus, it’s lovely to look at). Best of all, adopting two kittens means two lives are saved.
Image Credit: Mariamichelle, Pixabay
Conclusion
While there will not be any scientific proof of single kitten syndrome, many rescue facilities consider that it may be very damaging long run and extremely worrying for each you and your cat. For this purpose, if a rescue group recommends or requires that you simply take two kittens, please take into account it. Alternatively, there are many candy older kittens and loveable grownup cats that might be thrilled to be the one pampered prince or princess in your house!
Sources
- https://www.petmd.com/cat/training/evr_ct_how-to-litter-train-a-cat
- http://www.kzoocatcafe.com/blog/single-kitten-syndrome
- https://meowcatrescue.org/resources/adoption-considerations/single-kitten-syndrome/
- https://www.hswestmi.org/uploads/1/2/4/1/124109515/single_kitten_syndrome.pdf
- https://www.seattleareafelinerescue.org/single-kitten-syndrome/
- https://www.rspca.org.uk/-/12-reasons-to-rehome-two-kittens-instead-of-one
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159121000381?fbclid=IwAR2F0aVqglqH8jYyQozYg99yNW9Q304eUY0po_krBBQSCWbHze8603_woIc
Featured Image Credit: Zarubina_Yuliya, Shutterstock
The submit Single Kitten Syndrome: What Is It? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Myths by Kit Copson appeared first on Catster. Copying over whole articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You will not be conscious of it, however all of those articles had been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they are not thought of public area. However, we recognize that you simply just like the article and would adore it if you happen to continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.
