The “Old” Leading the Young: How Miki Teaches the Kittens

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Written by

Dr. Maja Platisa

In-House Veterinarian, DVM MRCVS

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Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and Miki, the kitten who made me a cat person.

Miki, my now 2-year-old male cat, is having the pleasure of showing the ropes to the two young kittens. And sometimes it feels like he is taking this task very seriously, while other days, he can’t wait to get away from them and find some peace and quiet on his own. Now, the question is, what will Miki think is important for them to know? My worry, given how it usually goes with cats, is that he will show them everything they would be better off not knowing. But, here we go.

Miki Leads the Way

Miki is something of a king in this terrain. There are no other cats around, and he rules the roost. There are several places he likes to roam to and explore, such as the woods above the house, fields, and meadows further away, while he sometimes even gets close to the neighbor’s house and the hunter’s lodge 1000 feet away. He is very adventurous and is more of an outdoor cat, while the kittens have so far spent the majority of their short lives inside.

They do pay attention to Miki’s whereabouts and will occasionally follow him a little bit further away from the house. Just a few days ago, I received a notification from the GPS app on my phone that Minnie followed Miki to the edge of the property, into a small woodland. She was there with Miki, exploring the trees, climbing, and playing. My only worry is whether Miki will feel the need to show the kittens where all the dangers are, such as the neighbor’s place, which I prefer he wouldn’t. But knowing how mischief works, from all the places, those will probably be the first ones they’ll explore.

The Kittens Are Still a Little Bit Unsure

The kittens are now out all day, every day, but it’s clear that they like to stay close to the house. I have started calling them to join us in exploring a little bit further, but so far, they’ve only done it a couple of times. To them, it must seem like a big, scary world.

And I like it that way. It’s important that they take their time and explore at their own pace, so they always know where safety is. Miki does seem to enjoy playing with them outside, even more than inside, as there is so much to do and see, and they like to follow him around. But it’s clear when he’s had enough, and he will easily just pick up the pace and leave them behind. Luckily, the two kittens like to stick together.

Minnie Started Exploring Beyond the Virtual Fence

As I use GPS collars for all my pets, I have set up a virtual fence around the property so I know where they are at all times. As soon as they exit the area, I get a notification on my phone. Between the two kittens, to my surprise, Minnie is the more adventurous one. Nara is quite skittish and fearful, but somehow I expected her to be the proper outdoor cat. Once she started going out, I assumed she would not want to come back in at all. And it’s the other way around. Minnie is out and about constantly, coming in only for cuddles and food, and bringing in insects to release them in the house and play with them. Nara, on the other hand, is more in than out. Often, I see her sleeping on my bed while Minnie and Miki are outside exploring.

I hope she will continue to grow her confidence and find her way around, but I don’t want to force her. She takes a long time to get used to any change, and having Miki and Minnie show her the way may help speed things up a bit.

Time to Relax

I love seeing them outside, running around, playing, climbing trees and awkwardly coming down them, playing with leaves and stones, and unsuccessfully stalking and pouncing on butterflies. It’s evident that they are having fun and are getting to know the area. I try to anticipate any dangers and keep them inside overnight, while the GPS trackers keep me informed of their locations. And after the incident with Nara and the car, I pop the hood before leaving every time. But I am starting to realize that despite all my efforts in keeping them safe, there can always be some unforeseen circumstances. However, I am slowly accepting the fact that the kittens are more adaptable and independent than I think, and are actually reasonably good at judging potential dangers. So, it may be time for me to relax and enjoy the outdoors with them.