- Kittens are born blind and deaf.
- They rely totally on their mother.
- During the first 3-4 weeks the kittens rely on their mother to feed and clean them.
- Within a few days the kittens learn to locate their mother and start to crawl.
- Their eyes remain closed until they are about 10 days old.
- Kittens cannot focus on objects until they are about 4 weeks old.
- By about week 3 they can stand and hear.
- Weaning kittens from the mother’s milk can start to take place from week 3.
- From week 4 the kittens can start to have some solid food.
- Once the kittens start to eat solid food they should be introduced to the litter box.
- After a meal place the kittens on the litter tray.
- Deworming should start at about 4 weeks when they start on solid foods.
- Kittens should be dewormed every 2-3 weeks until they are 3 months old.
- At 3 months old, deworm every month until they are 6 months old.
- Outdoor cats should be dewormed twice a year and indoor cats once a year.
- Kittens grow quickly from the age of 5 weeks.
- By week 6-7 they can run, jump and climb.
- After about 8 weeks the kittens no longer need to have their mother’s milk.
- Handling kittens is very important especially between weeks 2-7.
- Kittens need to be handled frequently in order for them to grow up friendly and tolerant of human contact.
- Toys can be introduced at about 6 weeks.
- Groom kittens at least once a week.
- At this point kittens need to be house trained so that they do not sharpen their claws on the furniture or climb the curtains.
- Reward the kittens with a treat when they display desirable behaviour.
- Walk away or firmly say no when they do something that is not allowed.
- Do not shout at the kittens or hit them when they do something that you do not like.
- At 9 weeks and 12 weeks kittens need vaccinating.
- Kittens should be neutered between 4-6 months old.
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