The first 6 weeks are the most important in a cat's life. During this time they are developing, and what they do and you do in this period will determine their personality. The kittens drinking from their mother. They were just a couple days old. During the first week, all kittens do is eat, sleep, and have their mother help them go to the bathroom. They will typically weigh around 3—4 ounces and are smaller than the palm of your hand.
During the second week, the kitten's eyes should be opening. They can open sooner, even at 6 or 7 days, but it's usually closer to 10—14 days. Just like children, all kittens will be born with blue eyes. This won't change for a few weeks. Their vision will be blurry at first so try to keep them away from bright lights.
My kitten, Tux, started opening his eyes at 9 days. He started with both eyes half-open. By 12 days both eyes were open. My sister's kitten, Binx, started opening his eyes at 10 days. The other kitten, Twix, didn't start opening her eyes until 13 days old. At 15 days both of her eyes were open. Twix was the first born but was the last to open her eyes. It all just depends and they do it in their own time. By 2 weeks they will probably be open, but if they're not, give them until about 3 weeks before worrying and contacting your vet.
During the third week, kitten's ear canals will be open and they may get startled by loud sounds. Their sense of smell should be fully developed by now. Also, kittens have their digestive system developing so they may now start to go to the bathroom on their own. Teeth may also start to come in. The kittens at 3 weeks old. They're sitting up, walking around, and play-fighting with each other now.
During the fourth week, kittens will be starting to stand and walk. They will also be more interactive with their brothers and sisters.
The kittens at 4 weeks old. They are now a month old and getting so big. They walk and try to run around. They even drink out of their mom's water dish sometimes.
During the fifth week, kittens should be socializing with humans. They are now more independent and getting out on their own. During this time, 2 important things can happen. First, you can introduce them to canned kitten food. This food should have a primary meat source as the first ingredient, like chicken. Second, the kittens can also start to learn to use the litter box. They will need a small shallow box you could even try the lid off of a shoebox and only an inch or so of litter.
You should line this with a plastic liner so it doesn't leak through. Kittens will try to taste everything, so you should try to use a natural kind of litter instead of clumping clay. You can buy a special litter from a pet store or make your own. Simply shred up some newspaper or even use some sand or soil from outside. During the sixth week, kittens can run and play now and should be socializing with humans if you want them to be a friendly house cat.
At this time you should teach your kitten that hands are not for biting so they learn not to play too rough or try to bite when you are simply holding or petting them. You can try to use a plastic straw for this lesson. Drag it across the floor and let the kitten pounce on the straw and bite it, but not on your hand.
Chewing on the straw is also good for teething. The kittens at 6 weeks old. They are eating and drinking mostly on their own, but still sometimes drink from their mother. They love to run around and play. Between the 7th and 10th week, kittens could go to new homes, but they are still learning from their mother. They would be okay, but it's still best to wait until after 10 weeks.
Cat breeders don't usually give their kittens to new homes until they are 12 weeks old. If you do give them away before 7 weeks are up, they will be more likely to develop behavioral problems.
They really need as much time as possible to learn from mama cat and develop good social skills with other pets and humans. They could become "fraidy cats" or even become mean. It also depends on the maturity of the cat. If they are litter-trained, eating only cat food and completely weaned from their mother and can walk around and play well with their brothers and sisters and you, they will probably be ready. This isn't usually possible before 8 weeks are up.
Others may need a little more time, until 9 or 10 weeks. If you absolutely can't keep them and have to give them up, then 6 or 7 weeks isn't the worst you can do, but definitely not before. Also, around between 8—10 weeks you can start your kitten on hard kitten food. Regular hard cat food shouldn't be given until they are near their adult weight, which is typically around 9 months. In the wild, kittens usually remain with their mothers until they reach sexual maturity or until the mother gets pregnant again.
When keeping kittens as pets, it is important to know the timeline of their development before separating them from their mothers prematurely. During the first 4 weeks of life, kittens will be entirely dependent upon the mother for all of their nutrition and to meet their basic needs. At this age, kittens cannot regulate their own body temperatures, so the mother is essential to helping keep them clean, warm, and safe.
After 4 weeks, the mother will begin teaching her kittens basic skills to help them survive on their own. During this time, kittens will learn how to eat, hunt, and use the bathroom independently. Kittens will also learn basic communication and interaction skills by imitating the mother. The best time for a human to be introduced would be during this period. It is helpful for kittens to have human interaction beginning at 4 weeks if they are going to be kept as pets. This human interaction by no means replaces the need for the mother, as the mother plays an even more important role in the weaning process.
The mother continues to teach her kittens how to behave, and will correct inappropriate behavior. Some kittens will continue to nurse even up to 12 weeks old, though usually nursing to this age is mostly for the purpose of comforting the kittens rather than for providing nutrition. It is a common misconception that kittens can be separated from their mothers as early as 8 weeks old. However, kittens separated at this time are still at risk for developmental, social, and health issues.
Well-socialized and completely weaned kittens may be ready for their new forever homes in just a couple of weeks. If you've been waiting for your kittens to be old enough to adopt, you'll probably be pretty excited by now. Patience, though. Remember, "All good things come to those who wait. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile.
Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Pet Place suggests briefly holding the kittens once a day to check they are gaining weight ; however, take care not to touch the kittens too much as this may distress the mother. Your cat gave birth and is attentive to the kittens.
All seems well but you are anxious to ensure the kittens are OK. You are torn. Should you check them or leave them alone?
If you handle the kittens will the mother reject them? These are good questions to which there isn't an easy answer. The solution lies in balancing the mother's maternal instincts and friendliness to people against the welfare of the kittens should she reject them. However, you must balance the welfare of the kittens with the knowledge that if you handle the kittens the mother may:.
On the one side you are looking out for the kitten's health, but it could be at the price of the mother's rejection. As explained by the Cats Protection League , your aim should be to do the least harm to the welfare of the mother and her newborn litter.
This may be clear cut. For example, the kitten that has birth membranes covering her mouth while the mother is showing no interest.
You must act to clear the kitten's mouth or risk her suffocating. At the other extreme of the scale, imagine a newborn kitten happily suckling from her mother. To check her over risks putting your scent on the kitten and the mother not recognizing the kitten when you put her back. A mother cat that knows and trusts you will be more tolerant of intervention than an anxious or feral cat.
Because she already associates you with comfort and security, she may accept you mean no harm and tolerate you touching her kittens. However, be aware maternal instincts can kick in, with a painful twist for you. Some pet cats are such good mothers they protect their offspring from everyone, including you.
This can end in painful bites or scratches if you touch her brood. If the mother gave birth in a secure place, is attentive to her kittens, and the kittens are sucking and warm, it's best to leave the cat and newborn kittens alone.
If you are concerned the location is not suitable, then let her finish kittening, and only move the whole litter in one go to the new, safer spot. Moving kittens one at a time can cause her to relocate the remainder, which risks splitting the litter. If mother or kittens are in difficulty, then you need to intervene and touch the kittens.
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