Kitten

They make us smile and laugh. They make us say, “Awww!” But these babies have distinct needs and attributes. If you thought you knew kittens, you may have to think again! We’ll guide you through 22 amazing kitten facts to help you give them their best life. 1. Kittens are fragile. Newborns kittens are completely dependent on their mothers — or you. Photography © Ztranger | iStock / Getty Images Plus. Newborn kittens are completely helpless and totally dependent on their mothers for nourishment, warmth and elimination. If they’re orphaned, they need 24/7 care from a kind human. They need to stay warm and A foster parent can help with that by taking a warm, wet cotton ball and gently rubbing the kittens’ anogenital region. Without this help, they could die. 2. They’re impressionable. During kittens’ first 12 weeks, they learn who’s safe and trustworthy, what’s good to eat and where the bathroom is. To become socialized and friendly toward people, this is the time for loving human hands to hold them, pet them, feed them and, 3. It’s important for kittens to spend time with other cats. For about the first 12 weeks, kittens become socialized toward other cats. They learn appropriate respect toward adult cats from their mothers and how to get along with their peers from their littermates. They learn things like where they stand in a hierarchy, to respect other cats’ territory and how to fight fair. 4. Kittens are born with blue eyes. Kittens open their eyes at about two weeks of...

Kittens are adorable at any age, but did you know that figuring out how old a kitten is can help determine what sort of care they need? It can be tricky to tell, but our at-a-glance kitten progression guide, featuring Darling the kitten and his siblings, is here to help you out. Before you do anything, remember: never separate kittens from their mother cat. If you don’t see her, monitor the kittens from a distance for a few hours. If their mother returns, ®. The First Week When kittens are first born, they are helpless; they cannot see, hear, keep themselves warm, or eliminate waste on their own. They fit in the palm of your hand and weigh 3-5 ounces. Kittens like Darling, and his siblings, are completely dependent on their mother (or you!) for protection, warmth, and nutrition. Even so, these kittens can purr and make distress calls. They spend 90 percent of their time sleeping and the other 10 percent eating. Want to learn more about kittens and how to care about them in the first week? One Week Old Kitten One week in this world, Darling, Denby, Corduroy, Tweed, and Wembley are becoming more aware of their surroundings. Their eyes are almost completely open, though their eyesight is still unfocused. They have doubled their birth weight to around eight ounces. At about seven days old, a kitten’s ears will unfold. The Second Week During their second week, Darling, Denby, Corduroy, Tweed, and Wembley continue to grow by leaps and bounds. By the end of the week, their ears w...

Bringing home and raising a new kitten is an experience that's loaded with challenges and rewards. Whether you're considering getting a kitten or have already welcomed a fuzzy little bundle of joy into your life, you no doubt want to be the best pet parent. Keep reading to learn all about kittens and how to give your tiny friend the best start in life. All About Kittens: What to Expect Raising a kitten is an entirely different experience from having an adult cat. Kittens have boundless energy and curiosity, which means they require a lot of your time and energy. Your new kitten needs not only lots of affection and playtime in order to be properly socialized, but also a ton of supervision to keep her out of trouble. The truth is that kittens, while charming and lovable, can be exhausting. Keep in mind that the kitten stage doesn't last forever, and your cat will never be this small or cute again. Enjoy this stage, and remember, the bond you form with your kitten will last her entire life. Preparing for Your Kitten In order for life with your new kitten to run smoothly, make preparations before bringing her home. The first thing you should do is kitten-proof your home by viewing each room from kitten level. Close or block off windows, vents, and any nooks and crannies she might be tempted to explore. Move electronics and power cords, window blind cords, and any other strings out of reach. Completely remove objects that might pose a choking hazard. It's also a good idea to se...

Kitten Care Your new kitten deserves the best possible start in life. Learn about kitten nutrition, litter training, vaccinations, and more. • Preparing for Kitten • What to look for when selecting a purebred kitten. • How to tell if the kitten you're bringing home is healthy. • Kitten Care • Advice for caring for a kitten during the first weeks of life. • It's a great chance to bond with kitty. Here's how to do it. • Kitten Health • Kittens are susceptible to certain health risks: Know what to look for. • Which vaccinations your kitten needs, and when. • Get answers to common questions about spaying and neutering.

When it comes to cuteness, few critters can compare to kittens. If you’ve just acquired a kitten (or two), you’re probably learning all about kitten care. You want to do what you can to ensure that your adorable baby grows into a healthy adult. Proper feeding is a big part of the health equation. After the first four weeks of mother’s milk, a kitten gradually transitions to 1. How do kittens’ nutritional needs differ from those of adult cats? A kitten’s weight may double or even triple during the first few weeks of life. To support this explosive growth -- as well as high activity levels -- your kitten may have triple the energy needs of an adult cat. These high energy needs make it harder for kittens to get enough calories in one meal, says Jennifer Larsen, DVM, PhD, nutritional consultant and assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis. “So most kittens want to eat at least three or four meals a day,” she says. “It’s also a comfort thing -- kittens are snackers at heart.” Kittens’ needs for fat, some fatty acids, and most vitamins are the same as for adult cats, Larsen says. But kittens have a higher requirement for protein, amino acids, and minerals, as well as for some vitamins. For example, kittens should get about 30% of their energy from protein. For these reasons, most experts recommend you feed your kitten specially formulated And don’t forget to provide plenty of fresh water -- it’s ...

The first eight weeks of a kitten’s life are a whirlwind of developmental changes. As newborns, kittens are defenseless, blind, and fit in the palm of your hand. But by 8 weeks of age, they’re running, playing, and looking like miniature cats. Each week, the kitten will have different needs in terms of feeding, bathroom help, medical support, and warmth. It’s important to know how to identify a kitten’s age, as this determines Here’s what you need to know about the developmental milestones of a kitten’s first eight weeks of life. Newborn Kittens Average weight: 1.8–5.3 ounces (50–150 grams) Physical Development Newborn kittens will have their eyes closed and their ears folded. They will have no teeth and their gums, nose, and paws may appear bright pink in color. They do not yet have a gag reflex or the ability to thermoregulate. The umbilical cord will be attached and will fall off on its own around 4 to 5 days of age. Their claws will be non-retractable. At this age, they cannot hear or see; they can only navigate the world around them through scent and through seeking warmth and comfort. Behavioral Development Newborns will sleep for the majority of the day. Newborn kittens cannot defend themselves or walk, but they may be able to move around by crawling. A healthy newborn will wiggle and meow if handled. Average Temperature A kitten’s temperature should be 95–97 degrees Fahrenheit at birth. It is critical to provide a gentle heat source to keep the kitten warm and stab...

Most kittens get adopted at about 6 to 8 weeks old. They are typically already This article will explain everything you need to know about what to feed kittens, how much to feed them, and how often and when they need to be transitioned to an adult cat food. What to Feed Kittens Your kitten’s dietary requirements are going to be different from an adult cat’s dietary requirements. To help a kitten grow healthy and strong, their food typically requires: • Higher protein levels • More calories per cup • Higher amounts of certain nutrients (like calcium) Margie Scherk, DVM, DABVP of the Cats Only Veterinary Clinic in Ottawa, ON, Canada, described this in detail at the Central Veterinary Conference 2013 in Kansas City: “Young cats have growth requirements, which include an increased proportion of animal-based protein and more calcium and phosphorus.” 1 Your new kitten will likely have tons of energy and engage in rowdy play, so their food needs to support their body as they burn calories exercising as well as expend energy for growth. Feeding Kittens Wet Versus Dry Food • Wet cat food is higher in moisture, so it can be beneficial in keeping kittens hydrated, flushing out the urinary tract, and helping kidneys stay healthy. However, wet food tends to stick to the teeth more, which can be associated with dental disease and painful cavity-type problems for cats. • Dry cat food is easier to feed in mutli-cat homes and can help scrape tartar from the teeth. However, some How to Sele...