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.
