Dr. Zazie Todd – The Science of Making Your Kittens Happy
Member FREE Webinar for September 2025
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Webinar Description
This session will look at how to set kittens up for a happy life as friendly and confident cats. Classic research by Dr. Eileen Karsh told us about the sensitive period for socialization, and subsequent studies show the importance of early handling during this time. By the time kittens come to live with us at home, the sensitive period is typically over. They enter the juvenile period between 7 to 9 weeks of age, but their brains are still very plastic. So it’s important to use the first days and weeks that kittens are in their new home to build on the early socialization and habituation that they have already experienced. Gradual, positive exposures can keep the kitten feeling safe and encourage them to explore their world and learn more about it. The kittens’ home needs to be kitten-proofed for safety, and set up to provide for their needs. We’ll look at some of the common questions that people have such as the best age to bring a kitten home and whether it’s best to get two kittens rather than one. We’ll also look at the role of play in kitten development.
Kitten kindergarten is one way to help kittens learn from a wider range of early experiences in a safe and controlled environment. It is also an excellent opportunity to teach cat guardians how to set their home up for their kittens and care for them. We’ll look at how to run these classes and the most important aspects to include in the curriculum. As well, we’ll consider the best advice to give people to help them help their new kitten to settle in and develop into a friendly cat. The session will end with a list of resources that are available to help kitten guardians learn more about cats.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the sensitive period for socialization in kittens.
- Consider the role of play for kittens.
- Develop programs to build on socialization and habituation for kittens and young cats.
- Evaluate ways to prevent behavior issues in kittens.
Your Presenter – Zazie Todd, PhD
Zazie Todd, PhD, is an animal behavior expert and award-winning author. Her book, Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy, with a foreword by Dr. Marty Becker, won a Maxwell Medallion from the Dog Writer’s Association of America. Her premium newsletter, The Pawsitive Post, brings readers bimonthly tips on dog and cat behavior and the latest in canine and feline science. Todd is the creator of Companion Animal Psychology blog and has a blog at Psychology Today, Fellow Creatures. Her writing has appeared in Modern Dog, Modern Cat, Inside Your Cat’s Mind, Pacific Standard, The Psychologist, and Reader’s Digest. She is the owner-operator of Blue Mountain Animal Behaviour and is an affiliate member of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. She has a PhD in Psychology, is an honors graduate of the prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers, and has an Advanced Certificate of Feline Behaviour (with Distinction) from International Cat Care. Originally from the UK, she lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, one dog, and two cats.
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