Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/orphaned kitten behavior

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 11/12/2008


Question
I have inherited a litter of three orphaned kittens. They about 6 to 8 weeks now and I took them in about 3 weeks old. They are super smart and are all ready weaned and litter box trained. Everything seems normal except for one thing I can't figure out. When I come home from work in the afternoon, they all run up in front of me and lay down in a line on the floor with their bellies up. They don't move until I reach down and rub their bellies for a moment and speak individually. I had my hands full of groceries one day and didn't stop for this ritual and they were stand offish for the rest of the evening. Have you ever heard of anything like that?

Answer
Donna,

Cats all have different personalities and quirks. Sometimes only they know why they do something!

Kittens are copycats and will imitate other kittens. Probably one did it because he missed you and was showing you that he was happy to see you in his own little way, and the others copied him. Since his behavior got your attention and petting, then he continued doing it. The others learned from him that that behavior got a pleasant response from you. Cats learn by association and habit. They will keep doing whatever works for them. But when you didn't do it that day when you had the groceries it confused them. Cats don't have any reasoning abilities so they wouldn't know why you didn't pet them. Some cats are sensitive and will get their feelings hurt if they don't get the attention they seek. Others will 'pout'. Kitty treats are a great bribe! Give them some tuna or sardines in oil, etc. and they will forget all about being mad or upset!

It sounds like the one kitten has the stronger personality of the bunch and is the leader and head of the pecking order. He should grow up smart, clever, and with a lot of personality.

Tabbi  

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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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.

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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).

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