When rearing a freshly acquired kitten, parents should focus on being tolerant and compassionate while rewarding appropriate behavior with positive reinforcement. In the instance that any purposeful or inappropriate activity, negative punishment, i.e. removal of some advantage, can be used. Even knowledgeable owners may fail to recognize the extreme no-nos of kitten rearing.
No yelling, threatening, or physical punishment. Punishment teaches a cat nothing but finds a way to avoid it. It is kinder and more humane to educate the kitten on what it should do instead of punishing it for what it is doing. Punishment is the administration of a stimulus that reduces the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. It must correspond with the bad behavior and be unpleasant enough to discourage the cat from repeating it. Punishment, when used incorrectly, can generate dread, anxiety, and owner avoidance, making it the least ideal technique for modifying behavior. Remember, you're penalizing the behavior, not the animal.
If you have concerns about your pet’s health and/or behavior, make an appointment with your veterinary clinic Derby.
