KITTENS

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 DOB February 20,

 

THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF A KITTEN:

Birth to Two Weeks

The kitten's main activities are eating and sleeping. He is deaf and blind but can crawl a little.
The remnants of the umbilical cord will fall off at round 3 days of life. Between the 5th and 10th day, his eyes will open and he will begin to see his new world. At this stage his eyes are a deep blue colour. He will begin to crawl around a little more. He may try to walk but will be wobbly. By the end of the first week, his shiver reflex has developed, allowing him to better regulate his body temperature.

Two to Three Weeks

The ear canals should have completely opened by now and he will be able to hear all the household sounds. The kitten is more aware of his surroundings and will start to explore his environment. He is able to purr and can stand up and walk a short distance. Baby teeth will start to appear. At the end of the third week, the kitten's eyes will begin to change to their permanent colour. Also, he will begin to eliminate on his own, without having to be stimulated.

Four to Five Weeks

The kitten is ready to start learning to use the litter box. Kittens at this age can climb, walk and run in short bursts. They will really enjoy playtime with their littermates and will begin to play with toys. This is usually a good age to start weaning kittens. Weaning can be a difficult time for a kitten. The process of weaning is a gradual one. During the weaning process, he may dip his paws or walk in his food. Although messy, this is a natural part of weaning and his way of exploring his new food.

Six to Seven Weeks and Onwards

By the seventh week, kittens should be completely weaned. This is a very active and playful stage and important for proper socialization. The more he plays and explores the more he will grow, mentally and physically. Cats are social animals and the more people interact with them the more socially developed they will become.

Continued socialization during the first year of life is of utmost importance.  In addition to play and handling, firm discipline must be established. In order for discipline to be effective, clear rules must be set from the beginning and they must remain consistent. Positive reinforcement works better than negative. Respect for the kitten's nature, unique personality  and unconditional love are essential elements to keep in mind. This helps to establish mutual respect and trust. Strong bonding and lifelong loving relationships are the ultimate goals you should be trying to achieve.

Raising a kitten properly requires plenty of time and devotion. Kittens are living creatures and as such should never be treated like inanimate objects or trinkets whose main purpose is to beautify your home or give you prestige. They should be considered a Life-Long Commitment - if you are not fully prepared for it a "Gund" would make a better choice.

 

 "If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men."   Francis of Assisi

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"Mommy & Baby" Program  This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the unique, lifelong bond and intensely close and loving interaction between a queen and "her" coonlet.