Many people who want to bring a kitten to their family say that they want a cat as young as possible. Why is that? Because our child wants a cat, because “we want to enjoy it while it’s young”, because it will be easier to settle in.
Is it good for the kitten to leave the litter at a very young age? Certainly not: not for the kitten, and most likely not for the new family.
It is important that kittens spend the first 8-12 weeks with their mother to learn essential social and behavioral skills such as hygiene, nonverbal communication, and playing. Premature separation can lead to behavioral problems, anxiety, and socialization difficulties. Proper socialization includes interaction with people and other pets. This period is very important for kittens because they are very vulnerable to both parasites and transmissible viral diseases.
The development of kittens is a fascinating process involving several key stages in the first 12 weeks of life.
From birth to 4 weeks:
In the first days of life, kittens are completely dependent on their mother for food, warmth and hygiene. This period is crucial for establishing the emotional bond with the mother and their siblings in the litter.
Kittens sleep most of the time, feeding frequently and communicating with the mother through movements and sounds. They weigh an average of 75 grams, doubling in the first 10 days.
Kittens are born with their eyes and ears closed and spend the first days of their lives without seeing or hearing. Their eyes and ears begin to open in the second week of life, between 8 and 10 days, but their sight and hearing are not yet very well developed. During this period they need to be protected from light and loud noises. Kittens are born with blue eyes and begin to change color from the third week of life, the eyes color becoming definitive at a few months of age or older, depending on the color of the coat. At around 3 weeks of age, their ears begin to stand up and point upward if they are going to be Scottish Straight or stay folded to their head if they are going to be Scottish Fold. They are introduced to a whole new world of sounds.
They learn to walk and interact with each other and the objects around them.
They are fed exclusively on mother’s milk or cat milk replacer. It is good to know that most cats are lactose intolerant, which means they do not digest cow’s milk well and can cause diarrhea or discomfort. Special milk is available for cats.
4 to 8 weeks: Walking and learning grooming rules.
Gradually introduce solid food, usually starting with soft cat food.
They develop their social skills and begin to learn to play and interact with people.
During this time, they begin to learn the rules of hygiene, including how to use the litter box.
8 – 12 weeks: Socialization, first deworming and vaccinations.
They continue to learn social and survival skills from their mother and siblings and develop individual personalities and preferences.
At the end of this time, they are ready to be separated from their mother and begin life in a new home.
The role of the queen in kitten development
Nursing is crucial for kittens and has multiple benefits:
– Provides complete nutrition: Mother’s milk provides all of the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals needed for the healthy growth of kittens. It is specifically tailored to their needs in the early stages of life. The nutrients and fats in milk help develop the nervous system and brain, supporting healthy cognitive function.
– Provides immunization: Mother cats transfer important antibodies through their milk, giving kittens temporary immunity and protecting them from common diseases.
Kittens learn important behaviors, such as hygiene, by interacting with the mother during nursing.
Mothers teach kittens to groom themselves. The queen teaches the kittens to litter box use.
Kittens learn to communicate through vocalizations, trills, and growls, understanding the sound signals their mother emits to express various needs and emotional states.
By interacting with their mother and siblings, kittens learn social rules and play restrictions.
Puppies learn limits and discipline through interaction with their mother. This may include mild reprimands or withdrawal of affection to teach proper behavior.
As the kittens grow, Mom encourages them to become more independent and encourages them to explore and develop their individual skills.
These are essential to the kittens’ physical, emotional and social development, preparing them for life as independent adults.
Deworming and Vaccinations
During this time, the kitten should be dewormed and vaccinated; it is important for the kitten’s health that the vaccination schedule is followed so that the kitten is protected when it leaves the litter. Removing the kitten from the litter before it has been dewormed and vaccinated exposes it to external factors that may threaten its health.
Deworming not only protects the kittens, but also prevents the transmission of parasites to other family members or other animals.
Conclusion:
During the first 12 weeks, ensuring the mother’s presence, nursing, proper socialization, deworming, and vaccination of kittens before they leave the nest is an act of care and responsibility for their health and well-being. Ensuring the healthy and happy development of your kittens during this time is essential to enjoying your new family member.
A responsible breeder will ensure that the kittens receive proper interaction and care during this crucial period, which will guarantee the smoothest possible transition to their new family, depending not so much on their age, but on their nurturing and socialization at this young age. Just as it is said that the mental maps of humans are imprinted in the first 6 years of life, it is the same with cats, the most important thing for a healthy life and social behavior is how they are cared at this young age.
Read also How to choose a cat?
