Important Stages In Kitten Development
The following is an outline of some of the important stages in your kitten’s development.
The First Two Weeks
- born blind and deaf
- weight at birth will be approximately 3 1/2- 4 ounces
- umbilical cords drop off after two or three days
- unable to regulate body temperature
- highly developed sense of smell
- mother stays with kittens basically around the clock for the first twenty-four hours
- weight will double in the first week
- mother must stimulate each kitten’s elimination process by licking
Two Weeks-Four Weeks
- eyes and ears open at about ten to fourteen days
- milk teeth start to appear
- at three weeks, the kittens are able to eliminate on their own
- the mother shows her kittens how to cover their waste
- social play begins between weeks three and four
- important socialization time
- righting reflex develops
Four Weeks- Eight Weeeks
- able to groom themselves at five weeks
- weaning should be completed by seven weeks
- all baby teeth are in by eight weeks
- continued important socialization time
- play behavior gets rougher as weeks progress
Eight Weeks- Fourteen Weeks
- kittens engage more frequently in object play
- senses will be fully developed by twelve weeks
- adult eye color established around twelve weeks
- adult teeth begin to erupt at fourteen weeks
- adult sleep patterns will begin to develop as weeks progress
Six Months- Twelve Months
- kittens reach sexual maturity
- continued growth at a slower pace
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