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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Runaway kitten
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Question
I just recently got a kitten from a good friend of mine who also has his brother and a friendly, loving chiuahua. She lives in the apartment complex right next to mine, and I have been walking over there, kitty in hand, and letting them all play together so he can get socialized. They all love playing together, and I had no problem carrying him over there until today. He got very mad at me, and squirmed and scratched and bit until I dropped him. He ran away and I eventually got him, but I'm worried and don't want that to happen again, but I want to continue letting them play together. Any suggestions?
Alyssa,
Most cats don't care much for being carried any distance. They like their feet on the ground. Plus anything can spook a cat...even one used to being carried. To be on the safe side take the kitten for his 'play dates' in a carrier.
Tabbi
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Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
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* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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