Early socialisation is essential for raising well adjusted and happy kittens, with the period between 2 to 8 weeks being especially important.
Kittens who miss out on this early interaction will often become quite ‘hissy’.
We asked our foster carers what their experience is with cats and kittens like this and here is what they told us. Overwhelmingly the most common theme is patience and ensuring the kittens have somewhere they feel safe to retreat to.
Tasha
Patience! Sit quietly with them. No sudden movements. Have food and water nearby so they associate that goodness with you. Talk in soothing tones. Gently introduce a toy to distract them. They may begin to play in spite of themselves!
Maria
Be patient and calm. Leave the kitty for a while in her preferred hidey hole. But go to her from time to time and talk to her in a calm and friendly manner, and offer her treats such as small pieces of roast chicken. Don’t attempt to pat her until she comes out of her own accord.
Don’t be surprised if it takes a day or two for her to come out of her hidey hole. Keep her food and litter close by at night or if you are going out, when she will be more encouraged to come out and explore her surroundings.
Steph
From when they’re first in my care at about 2-3 weeks I always have the kittens in a large fabric carrier, usually with a bed, an electric heat mat and their snuggle buddy. I keep this in the lounge room so they can get used to the hustle and bustle of a large and busy household. Then when they start playing and walking I move them to a pen with plenty of toys.
My younger sisters start playing with them and holding them and I slowly start to introduce them to my 2 cats and 2 dogs. Doing this means that the kittens in my care and well adjusted to large groups of people, other cats and dogs by the time they’re ready for adoption.
Rosie
We found my hissy kitten when she was 4 weeks, not sure how long she was alone for. Super scared lil catto, we think she had a feral mum as we lived near bush. She responded really well to being ‘worn’ like a baby, on my chest at all times, with the capacity to duck her head away into my jumper or scarf if she needed to.
She slowly became more comfortable and would crawl out of my jumper and sit on my shoulder and eventually became a ground cat. She never hisses anymore, it took about a month of wearing her to stop the hissing. No loud noises or sudden moving, lots of slow pats, not too many people. Treat it like fear, cause that’s what it is!
Jenny
Pick them up and cuddle them. Give them about 15 minutes, up close to your chest. Then go away for about an hour, then come back and cuddle them again. The little ones usually start purring or go to sleep by the second or third time.
The older ones can take a couple of days.
They’ll be running to meet you in a week.
If you have another cat that likes kittens, then that’s even better. He/she will teach them what their mother would have taught them.
Tory didn’t just hiss, she growled as well, but I think she was more angry with being confined than with me. She then hissed at the other cats, but she got over that fairly quickly.
Brian
I have found that by putting them on my chest, whilst wearing a thick shirt along with a warm jumper and leaving them inside for a few minutes in the dark for a start, then repeating that, leaving them for a longer time each time, soon calms them down.
Lenore
I would keep them in a room with food and litter. Maybe some play toys and interact with them. Lots of love and pats. Also some safe place for them to rest, something cosy and comfy when they are feeling insecure.
Shuangzi
First I leave them alone for a while to make them feel safe. And I will keep their surroundings quiet at all times so as not to frighten them. After they feel safer they come out and I sit near them and pet them. So I think gentle behaviour and a quiet environment are the most important when dealing with hissy cats.
Susan
A contained play pen in your living area is invaluable. Kittens can be kept safe and contained, so no needing to hunt them out from behind the fridge, but they can get used to the sounds and movements of a house.
Kate
A single enclosed safe space as the portable pens from Kmart, Animal Tuckerbox or online so they get exposure to house noise and motion but they can have their “safe space”. This also removes the problem of kittens hiding in places you can’t reach too.