A Scottish Fold Kitten and a Snowman Share a Very Long Stare
A cream-colored kitten with folded ears sits in fresh snow, nose pointed straight at a snowman wearing a red plaid scarf. The snowman has a carrot nose, button eyes and a twig arm, and the kitten stares at it with the wary fascination of someone meeting a very quiet neighbor. Behind them, the porch steps are dressed with a wreath and frosted evergreen branches.
New and unfamiliar objects are a big deal for cats, and kittens usually approach them in stages: a long stare, a careful sniff, then perhaps a quick paw tap. That caution is normal and healthy. If you want a young cat to feel confident, let her explore at her own speed rather than pushing her toward the strange thing.
Snow is a fun novelty, but it is cold, so outdoor time should be short for a kitten. Her paws can get chilly quickly, and a cat that is wet should be dried off and warmed indoors. Keep an eye on where she wanders too, because decorations, salt and de-icing products on walkways can irritate paws or be harmful if licked off. If you worry about her after a winter outing, your vet can advise.
The snowman, for his part, is handling the staring contest very well. He hasn't blinked once, and the kitten is starting to respect that.
