Cat — kitten behavior & socialization (litter socialization, human-contact window, play-bond-decrease-destructiveness)
Source: first-hand Merck Veterinary Manual pet-owner text, saved to source_file; every claim below is a C1 byte-substring of it.
Claims
Cats learn how to socialize with other cats from their mother and littermates.kittens usually need human contact before they're 10 to 12 weeks old.Playing with your cat and providing interactive toys can help develop a close bond, as well as decrease destructive behaviors.Kittens, like babies, require a lot of attention, including veterinary care, feeding, and socialization.Does My Kitten Need Toys or People to Play With? Cats learn how to socialize with other cats from their mother and littermates.Where Should I Put My Cat's Food? Cats like to eat alone, so meals should be served in a quiet area away from distractions.If you have multiple pets, it’s a good idea to set up separate feeding stations to decrease stress and competition for food.You might also consider using a water fountain to encourage your cat to drink more, because cats are often attracted to, and like to play with, moving streams of water.In general, the more litter boxes there are available to a cat, the less likely they are to soil outside the box (unless they are sick or unusually stressed).Caring for a pet can create a strong bond that benefits both the owner and the animal.You know your cat best, so pay attention to any changes in its behavior, such as being less active or more active than usual.
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Source: pdf-raw/companion-care/cat_kitten_care.txt · https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/kitten-care