Kittens require a high-calorie diet that contains more protein than the diet of adult cats.[14]Young orphaned kittens require cat milk every two to four hours, and they need physical stimulation to defecate and urinate.[4] Cat milk replacement is manufactured to feed to young kittens, because cow‘s milk does not provide all of their necessary nutrients.[15]
Domestic kittens in developed societies are usually vaccinated against common illnesses from two to three months of age. The usual combination vaccination protects against Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), Feline calicivirus (C), and Feline panleukopenia (P). This FVRCP inoculation is usually given at eight, twelve and sixteen weeks, and an inoculation againstrabies may also be given at sixteen weeks. Kittens are usually spayed or […]
Although domestic kittens are commonly sent to new homes at six to eight weeks of age, it has been suggested that being with its mother and litter mates from six to twelve weeks is important for a kitten’s social and behavioural development.[10] Usually, breeders will not sell a kitten that is younger than twelve weeks, and […]
Kittens are highly social animals and spend most of their waking hours interacting with available animals and playing. Play with other kittens peaks in the third or fourth month after birth, with more solitary hunting and stalking play peaking later, at about five months.[10] Kittens are vulnerable to harm because they like to find dark places […]
As they reach three to four weeks old, the kittens are gradually weaned and begin to eat solid food, with weaning usually complete by six to eight weeks.[9] Kittens live primarily on solid food after weaning, but usually continue to suckle from time to time until separated from their mothers. Some mother cats will scatter their kittens as […]
Kittens open their eyes about seven to ten days after birth. At first, the retina is poorly developed and vision is poor. Kittens are not able to see as well as adult cats until about ten weeks after birth.[7] Kittens develop very quickly from about two weeks of age until their seventh week. Their coordination and strength improve, they play-fight with […]
