Is 10 weeks old too young for a collar? Also how can I make this kitten social for later in life?

[Paw Prints On The Heart]

I have 2 other cats and when people come over they hide so after rescuing a new 10 week old kitten I'd really like to make sure it likes strangers when it's older. About the collar, it's kinda big and he can get it into his mouth, then freaks out. Is there kitten collars on the market? Is it ok to keep the collar on him?

[Geckogirl11]

I might try to find a smaller collar for your kitten. To make your kitten more sociable, introduce it to lots of different people early on. It may freak out at first, but if it gets used to seeing new people, it will eventually warm up to visitors. Try inviting over several friends for your kitten to meet.

[joinme4coffee]

There isn't much you can do to control a cat's temperament. They are usually either naturally social or not. I have 3 cats that have been raise exactly the same. One is very social and loves company. He will even sit and watch what the plumber is doing. The other 2 rarely appear when people are over.

My cats don't wear collars. Really don't see the point.

[Riley]

I don't think cats wear collars much. If you have people come over ask them to hold your cat. That will make it more com around strangers so it shouldn't run.

[Candy]

Don't use that collar until your kitty is older. It doesn't fit right. I don't know if they have kitten collars. The danger is the collar can get hung up on something and your kitty will freak out or choke itself to death. The best way to socialize your kitty with visitors is to have all your friends gently pet, talk to and hold your kitten. Don't let anyone hurt it! Then your kitten will be used to lots of people. The collar won't have anything to do with it. You can put a collar on when kitty is older and it fits. Make sure it's a cat collar so if it gets hung up it will come off.

[mary B]

I am not a fan of cat collars, and cats have amazing abilities to slither out of them - which is far preferable to getting them hung up on something and causing serious injury! I'm not sure WHY you want a collar on your kitty - is it so you can force her to stay around people, by holding the collar? - - that will NOT work - she will either try scratching or biting, or meowing - I do not agree that you have lots of people hold her and pet her - I'd suggest that they just sit around, and let the KITTY decide who she wants to get to know - in fact, it's lots more successful to ignore her - cats can sense our aggression, or even our fear around them - you need to give your kitty a lot more credit for what she can do or not do - but forcing her in a situation is NOT the answer - by quietly just letting her be around people, some who will like her and talk to her, some who may not want to - is the most natural, and she will be the one who decides - - cats already assume that THEY are the alpha animal in a house - you can't collar that out of her...

Mary