Exploring kitten socialisation practices and welfare implications within a Swedish breeding association.

Area of Science:

• Animal Behavior
• Veterinary Science
• Animal Welfare

Background:

• Early life experiences significantly impact a domestic cat's adult behavior and welfare.
• Breeders play a critical role in shaping kitten development through environmental management and socialization.
• Understanding current breeder practices is essential for improving kitten welfare outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess Swedish pedigree cat breeders' knowledge, attitudes, and socialization practices.
• To identify discrepancies between breeders' stated beliefs and their actual socialization methods.
• To pinpoint areas for improvement in kitten socialization to enhance feline welfare.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was distributed to 133 active Swedish pedigree cat breeders.
• Data were collected on breeders' knowledge, attitudes, and socialization techniques.
• Descriptive statistics were used for primary data analysis.

Main Results:

• Breeders acknowledged the importance of multi-person handling and interaction with other companion animals more than they practiced.
• Identified knowledge gaps included optimal socialization age, handling duration, and trait heritability.
• Breeders expressed positive attitudes towards socialization but often lacked the time or resources to prioritize it fully.

Conclusions:

• There is a notable gap between perceived and actual kitten socialization practices among Swedish pedigree breeders.
• Addressing knowledge deficits and supporting practical implementation of socialization techniques can improve feline welfare.
• This study provides a foundation for developing targeted interventions to enhance early socialization in cats.