The concept of ‘Kitten Kindergarten’ (‘Kitten Kindy’) was devised and developed in Australia and now classes are held all over the world.1 Unfortunately many people still struggle with the concept of training cats, so many felines and their owners miss out on the many benefits of kitten socialization classes which provide positive outcomes for both people and kittens, as well as for veterinary practices. It is now not only well-accepted but also well-documented that puppies benefit from attending socialization and training classes. If puppies can attend school, why not kittens?

The idea of training cats, let alone holding kitten socialization and training classes, is still an unusual concept to many people. However, kitten classes can be just as successful and deliver many of the same benefits to owners, kittens, and the veterinary practice as puppy classes (Box 14.1). Kitten classes are designed to be an early socialization, training, and education program to help owners and kittens start off on the right track. Kitten classes aim to help educate owners on all aspects of raising a kitten and then living with a cat in the family as much as to prevent behavioral problems. It is yet another valuable service that veterinarians can offer their patients and clients.

Although the issue has not been formally studied to date, kitten classes are likely to save lives, insofar as some of the recognized risk factors for relinquishment could be addressed in well-run kitten classes. Some of these risk factors include managing unrealistic expectations about the cat’s role in the household, owning a sexually intact cat, and never having read a book about cat behavior; cats that eliminate in inappropriate locations on a daily or weekly basis are also at risk.2 The most frequent explanations for surrender are behavioral problems—problems that might have been prevented. For example, in a study in the United Kingdom, the most common reason for return of an adopted cat to a shelter was behavioral problems.³ The results of another study demonstrated that providing owners with behavioral advice at their first consultation at a veterinary clinic led to better informed owners that perceived less behavior problems in their cats.⁴

Most veterinary behaviorists now believe that kitten socialization classes (when properly taught) are beneficial, and kitten socialization classes are suggested in the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) feline behavior guidelines.^5–7

On average, cats in the United States and Canada visit the veterinarian less than half as often as dogs, yet cats outnumber dogs as pets.^8–10 Given that most socialization classes require proof of a health examination and vaccinations, enrollment in such a class ensures at least one veterinary visit and so establishes a relationship with a veterinarian.

There are many reasons that cats may visit the veterinarian less often than dogs, ranging from the cat’s fear of the carrier and the corresponding car ride to difficulties with handling the cat for even minor procedures. Some owners have also expressed difficulty in transporting their cat to the veterinary hospital as it was too heavy to carry in the cat carrier. Kitten class instructors can address some of these issues in the class, as well as provide instructions regarding the best ways to desensitize kittens to carriers and car rides, preferably even before the first kitten class. Nutritional requirements and feeding habits of the cat can also be addressed.

Those who teach puppy classes often remark that educating the owner is the most important aspect of the classes. Kitten classes are no different, offering an opportunity to help owners understand a kitten’s normal behavior and set up realistic expectations of living with a cat in the household.

Getting to know a cat better might also help when a cat is not feeling well. This is even more imperative with cats than dogs because cats often mask signs of illness. The more connected families are to their cats, the more likely they are to detect the subtle signs of ill health.

Kitten socialization classes can give clients tools so their kitten “gets a leg up” on transport. But what about once the cat gets to the clinic?

Initiatives such as the Cat Friendly Practice Program by AAFP, the Cat Friendly Clinic program by the International Society of Feline Medicine, and Fear Free Pets help provide solutions for veterinary clinics to proactively become more welcoming to cats, decrease the stress of veterinary visits, and improve feline handling skills (Box 14.2).

These programs equip veterinary practices with tools, resources, and information to elevate the overall healthcare of cats. Many clients believe the common stereotype that cats often live to a ripe old age with minimal veterinary care, and more than 80% think that their cats are in excellent health and are somehow self-sufficient.⁸ Taking advantage of feline-friendly opportunities to improve preventive care, client education, and early diagnosis of disease are ways which may help clients to save money and help cats live longer quality lives.

Participation in programs such as Cat Friendly Practice, Cat Friendly Clinic, and Fear Free Pets demonstrates that veterinary professionals are doing their best to care for cats and to help owners so that their cats live longer and have a better quality of life. This builds a strong and more productive practice relationship with the owner.

One goal of kitten socialization classes is for kittens, and in the future as adult cats, to be accepting of veterinary visits. Once at the veterinary practice, veterinarians and veterinary technicians/nurses can take steps to ensure that fear, anxiety, and stress are kept to a minimum. For more information, see Chapter 2: The Cat Friendly Practice.