Steps of aging!
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~1Day~Kittens are blind and deaf when born but sense mom's warmth and strive to stay close. They must receive their mothers colostrums, or "first milk" within the first 24 to 48 hours of birth to benefit from the vital antibody protection it provides. The reflex to right themselves when flipped over is already established and many are already purring. |
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| ~1 Week~ Healthy kittens are usually sleeping or nursing. You can determine sex by peeking beneath the tail. At the end of the first week make sure the stump of umbilical cord has fallen off and there are no signs of infection or inflammation. Weight should double from birth. | |
| ~2 Weeks~ Eyes are opened. The mom probably tried moving her liter once. The kittens vision would still be foggy. Make sure kittens are treated daily to gentle handling. Start calling the kittens by there names. Keep your kitten away form other pets till round vaccinations is complete to prevent illness. | |
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~3 Weeks~ Kittens can eliminate without stimulation from mom, but she still provides cleanup service. They learn to standup and crawling vigorously. Then they start exploring around. |
| ~4 Weeks~ Eyes are completely open. Baby teeth start to appear. Kittens still walk with occasional spills, but balance is developing. They clearly enjoy rolling and tumbling with siblings and are learning to groom themselves. | |
| ~5 Weeks~ Balance improves and movements are more assured. Kittens no longer hold their tails upright all the time but carry them low "adult" position. All senses are working order. Kittens learn to pounce on siblings. They take their first tentative nibbles of solid food. Baby teeth continue to come in. Kittens discover digging and scratching, and litter box experimentation begins. | |
| ~6 Weeks~ Weaning begins. Kittens engage creative, vigorous, interactive play. Pet-quality kittens may be scheduled for juvenile spray/neuter surgery. Best time is between 6 weeks to 12 weeks. |
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| ~7 Weeks~ Weight is about seven times that at birth. Weaning is well underway and mom shows annoyance with pushy kittens. Litter box use starts to become established. Cat grace and balance replace kitten awkwardness. | |
| ~8 Weeks~ Full set of baby teeth. Play fighting and mock hunting help establish hierarchies and dominance. Kittens are in full control of their paws and claws. |
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| ~9 Weeks~ Most kittens are fully weaned. Dominant kittens practice aggressive display play techniques. |
| ~!0 Weeks~ Kittens may get their first vaccination against Feline leukemia. Play and play-fighting become more serious and shows of strength become common. Kittens are striding, leaping and balancing confidently. Hunting skills sharpen rapidly, especially if the litter has a hunting mom with access to prey. | |
| ~12 Weeks~ Kittens posses full adult balance, agility and grace. Adult eye color appears and coat patterns become well defined. Unaltered pet-quality kittens may sprayed or neutered. Most kittens are old enough to go to new homes. | |
| ~13 Weeks~ Kittens previously given feline leukemia vaccine at 10 weeks receive a booster shot. | |
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~4Month~ Adult personality and temperament are established and the magic window of socialization closes. Some cat behaviorists say it closes even earlier. Genetically Predisposed kittens begin to enjoy catnip. |
| ~5 months~ Full set of adults teeth is in place. Kittens start to mark there territory. | |
| ~ 6 Months~ Kittens are able to hunt and fend for themselves. If not done as a juvenile, schedule spay surgery for cats. | |
| ~7-12 months~ Growth continues, though at a less breathtaking pace. In longhaired carts the full adult coat appears. Males reach maturity. If not done as juvenile, schedule neuter surgery. Cats become attached to family and household routines. |
