Understanding the Importance of Pet Socialization

Pet socialization is about so much more than puppy play dates! Bowman Veterinary Hospital wants to know what you know about socializing pets and the benefits of pet interaction. 

What is Pet Socialization?

The term pet socialization refers to the process of introducing an animal to its surroundings in a safe, controlled, and positive way. Please note that it is not all about interactions with other pets and people—pet socialization is all about learning about the world. New sights, sounds, feelings, and smells can be just as important as meeting new friends.

Both puppies and kittens go through an early development phase known as their socialization period. For puppies, this time period occurs between 3 and 12 weeks of age. For kittens, their socialization period is only between 5 and 7 weeks.

This is the most critical time in a pet’s life to learn about the world and social behavior patterns. Puppies and kittens learn from us, but they also learn from their mother and littermates. Young animals removed from their litter earlier than normal may have trouble in these areas. 

Socializing pets as adults is also important for continued learning and growth, but it can be much slower to make progress with grown animals. 

Why Socialize? 

The benefits of pet social interaction and good socialization are without end. Pets who receive good care in this aspect of their life are:

• More likely to respond and act in socially acceptable ways
• Have better bite inhibition 
• Tend to potty train easier
• Exhibit less fearful responses
• Less likely to have aggressive reactions
• Overall less likely to have behavioral problems

This makes them more enjoyable pets to have in our homes and helps them to live better and more fulfilling lives.

If you have the joy of having a new puppy or kitten in your home, be sure to heap on the positive praise for various interactions. Expose your pet to a variety of experiences including walking on strange surfaces, hearing different sounds, and meeting strangers of all kinds. Exposure to items like umbrellas, hats, work boots, and facial hair can also help your pet be less wary of these types of things later on. 

Pet socialization is just as important for our four-legged friends as many other types of care. Making sure that you provide this aspect of training for your pet helps them to thrive in the long run. Let us know if you have any questions!