Whether your momma kitty is expecting or you ’ve of late welcomed some adorable fur babies , the first six weeks of a kitten ’s life are both crucial and veneration - inspiring . The weeks are full of growth and translation , and determine kittens at each phase is incredible . This week - by - week rundown of kitten from newborn to 10 weeks foreground the changes you could expect to see . Remember , all kitten are a little dissimilar . Some may develop slightly irksome , while others will get promptly .
Week One: Dependent On Mom
Let ’s talk about those initial , heart - melting moments when the kittens have just been behave . At this stage , kitten are utterly incapacitated . Their eyes and ears are unsympathetic , and they ca n’t regulate their body temperature . It ’s all-important to control that they stay lovesome and get immediate access to their female parent ’s milk , which provides essential nutrients and antibodies .
Kittens will share their mother ’s granting immunity to a variety of diseases . They receive it through the colostrum that the female parent produce for 24 to 48 hours before produce milk . This resistance will usually keep them respectable until it ’s clip for theirfirst inoculation .
Although there are n’t too many unexampled development in the first week , here ’s what else you should know .
Week Two: Awareness
You will notice the kitty slowly become aware of their littermates . Although they ’re still too washy for fun , they will compete for their favorite teat when it ’s meter to entertain . Their eyes will begin to open up , and they ’ll be entirely undefendable by the end of this week . Their eyes willstart out blueand may remain downhearted for several weeks before turning to their permanent color . Although their oculus are open , your kitten do n’t see very well . Their vision is blurry , and you should keep them out of burnished lights to protect their novel oculus .
Week 3: Walking Begins
The female parent computed axial tomography ’s business is bewilder easier by the Clarence Day , and she probably is n’t spending as much sentence with her kitty . mommy no longer needs to massage the kitty ’s abdomen to help them eliminate , but you ’ll still see her doing most of the grooming .
The kitten may attempt to walk , and their vision is get better and best by the day . Also , the kittens ' babe tooth have started to come in , and this prepares them to eat on solid food for thought . This week or next , introduce your kittens to their bedding material box . Use a shallow box lid and afew in of litteruntil the kitten get used to using the box .
Some veterinary suggest the firstround of dewormingbegins in hebdomad three , but take your family vet before this happens .
Week Four: Exploration
By week four , you’re able to expect your kitten to explore their environment and interact with their littermates . By the end of the week , they will rollick and meet in between forty winks and nursing . you may ask to see a big outgrowth spurt .
At this stage , all a kitten ’s sense have make grow . Their ear canal will be wholly opened by the end of this hebdomad , and their visual modality will be as good as an grownup cat ’s vision . you’re able to now begin theweaning processwith force out food . Ensure the food is formulated specifically for kittens and be patient . The kitten still want to nurse to supplement the displace food .
Kittens whohave been handled15 to 40 minutes per twenty-four hour period over the first seven weeks of their lives grow larger encephalon , so be sure to handle your kitten regularly .
Week Five: Let’s Wander
By week five , your kitten are becoming small adventurers . They ’ll be more coordinated and explore the world beyond their immediate nesting area . You ’ll see them pouncing , jumping , and perhaps even undertake to climb . They should be penny-pinching , if not amply litter - trained by this hebdomad .
The devilment is about to begin , so kitten - proofing your home is a must if you have n’t already done so .
Week Six: Time to Socialize
Week six is all about socialization . The kittens are now interact more with each other , their female parent , and humans . They ’re learning vital bozo behavior like neaten and using the litter box systematically . If you have n’t done so already , this is an excellent time to acclimatize them to being held and touched .
Week Seven: Weaning Complete
The weaning process should be utter around this time . At this level , your kittens are venturing out more , and they ’re honing their motor skills . They ’re running , pounce , and playing with a newfound sense of coordination . Socialization is still key here , so encourage gentle manipulation and infix them to various household noises and experiences .
This is a full time to introduce a scratch up billet to allow kittens to get used to using a post alternatively of the furniture .
Week Eight: Sharp Teeth
Thekittens ' teethare fully in spot , and they are as sharp as needles . TheASPCAnotes at this age , kittens are former enough to be safely spayed or neutered . Your veteran can also accurately settle the gender of your kittens at this stage , if you have n’t forecast that out already . Health check - ups are critical to ensure they ’re onthe right trackto becoming a healthy pussycat , so do n’t hop-skip this milepost vet visit .
Week Nine: On the Go
By week nine , kitty are becoming more technical at wipe out self-coloured food , and they may even show preferences for certain types and flavors . You ’ll detect that they ’re drinking less from their mamma and are relying more on kitten - formulated nutrient for their nutritionary needs . They ’ll need their final round of deworming , followed by amonthly heartworm preventative .
Keep them on a high - lineament kitten food that provides all the nutrients they need to continue their rapid growth .
Week Ten: Personality Plus
As you go about hebdomad 10 , you ’re going to see more of each kitty ’s individual personality come through . Some may be more adventuresome and forthcoming , while others might be more reserved and law-abiding . This is also a tremendous prison term to introduce toy that brace their mental and physical faculties . teaser , tunnels , and even dim-witted musket ball can pop the question amusement and ontogenesis benefits .
Kitten Developments Over the Next Year
During the rest of the first 18 months of their biography , the stage of kitten development will not be so striking . Kittens will continue to mature and learn to socialize . They will hone their hunting skills , sneaking up on unsuspecting piece of report and air-sleeve while establishing some aggressive bid with littermates .
Raising a Kitten
Raising kittens is a fun experience , but it can be a hatful of work . If you ’re timid if your kitten is grow properly , contact your vet . Your kitty will produce spring and bounds in their first twelvemonth , and they will pick up to be part of your family — and that is the most important development of all .
