Bonding?

The Myth of Early Bonding

Questions from people interested in adopting our kittens have prompted me to address the fallacy of early bonding. In certain species of precocial birds (where the young are born fully developed and mobile) a type of early bonding called imprinting does occur. It is primarily an instinctual behavior and serves the purpose of having the young focus on the parent for protection and early learning (how to find food, etc.) Imprinting does indeed occur at a critical period in the life of these newborn, generally within the first few hours after birth when the young attach to the first moving object with which they come into contact.

(an example of precocial imprinting)

This type of instinctual behavior or bonding does not occur in other species of animals that are considered altricial, or born essentially blind and helpless and in need of increased maternal care. In the strict sense of the word, newborn kittens do not imprint or bond with their mothers during a critical period in their lives. Their first contact with their mothers is in terms of olfactory and tactile stimuli. The mother cat identifies her babies and the babies identify their mother and form an attachment primarily through scent learning and touch, since their senses of vision and hearing are not yet fully functioning.

(Fiesta X Kougar kittens born 12/27/01; picture taken 1/3/02)
Note: Kittens are still essentially blind at 1 week of age - they are 'just' beginning to open their eyes)

Exposure of kittens in the first two weeks of life to humans is an important, but not essential part of early socialization and provides for an easier attachment to human companions. However, we do find that kittens and cats of all ages will form an attachment to a new human companion if the relationship is based on gentleness, care, understanding, and lots of reinforcement. If this wasn’t true, neither breeders nor rescue organizations could successfully place adult cats with new companions.

So, regardless of whether your new kitten or cat is 4 months, 4 years, or 14 years old, he will become attached to you. All you have to do is be patient and give him lots of reinforcement and he will repay you with a love that is immeasurable.