flickr photo courtesy of Nicholas Suzor

Kittens really do require a lot of attention, care and reinforcement. The world is a new, exciting place for them, and they are inexperienced in all aspects of it. As owners of these acrobatic, velcro-like companions, it's our job to ensure that they are taught the rules of the house. Albeit difficult to not snicker and let some very bad conduct slide, it's super important to be consistent and not reward negative behavior.

If there's one thing I know, it's that if a young cat gets an inch, they'll take the proverbial mile.

Kittens have a lot of energy to burn off, and if you stop and think about the average pet owner's schedule, that leaves little time between arriving home and going to bed for one-on-one interaction, playtime and such. What often occurs without enough solid engagement is that kittens will participate in what I call "Monkey Hour" — running through the house like mad, getting into things, keeping you awake! The key is to really take the time to play, teach, engage and have fun with them.

Giving kittens interactive toys — like Neko Flies, games and activities is very helpful in allowing them to stay engaged a bit more when they are alone all day. One fun, easy idea: Toss a ping pong or other fun kitty ball into a clean, dry bathtub. Your cat will go insane with joy batting and chasing the ball around.

One big misconception: kittens do not need to be socialized, because cats are independent and self-sufficient. Although in comparison to dogs, it may appear that way, cats are highly social creatures who love interaction. The truth is, although the socialization of puppies receives a lot of attention, the same is never true of kittens, and they really lose out. In order for young cats to be well-adjusted and get into less trouble, they need socialization, play and one-on-one time, just like puppies do.

In fact, the cognition of felines is tremendously enhanced well into their senior years if their minds are stimulated with games or activities where they need to figure things out.

For more on raising well-adjusted kittens while keeping your sanity, click here for suggestions.

Lorrie Shaw is a regular contributor to AnnArbor.com's pet section and owner of Professional Pet Sitting. Contact her by e-mail and follow her pet adventures on Twitter.