Newborn kittens are tiny and helpless, weighing only about 100 grams and small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Their eyes and ears are closed and they are entirely dependent on their mother. Here are five things you need to know to ensure that the kittens thrive and grow during their first week of life:
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Kittens grow quickly and will gain approximately 10 grams every day, so by the second week they will have almost doubled in size. The eyes and ears are beginning to open, and by the end of this week the kitten will be able to turn its head towards a sound. But that’s only the beginning...
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By three weeks of age, your kitten is beginning to move around and may even be able to sit up and play with its litter mates. The sense of smell is well developed, the ears have fully opened, and the eye colour may be starting to change. What else is happening?
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A four-week-old kitten is like a toddler, learning to walk and using this new skill to explore its surroundings. And like a toddler, a kitten’s body is disproportionate – with a relatively large head and short limbs – and its movement is wobbly and uncertain. Now that the kitten is mobile and able to eliminate on its own, it’s time to introduce the litter box.
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Until now, the kittens have been nursing several times a day and their mother’s milk has been all they required to satisfy their nutritional needs. However, now that their teeth have started to come in, it’s time to begin introducing them to solid food. Just follow these five easy steps:
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By six weeks of age, the immunity that the kittens received in the colostrum has started to wear off and it’s time for their first vaccines. Before vaccinating the kittens, the veterinarian will give them a thorough exam which includes taking their temperature, checking their teeth, and examining their eyes and ears. The standard vaccine protects against the following three diseases:
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As the kittens gain independence, their mother will spend less time grooming them and by seven weeks of age, the kitten is likely in need of some brushing – and maybe even a good bath! The kitten’s tiny, sharp claws are also growing, and now is a good time to introduce nail trimming. Here’s how:
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For the past two months, the kittens’ world has revolved around their mother and siblings. At this stage, their mother will begin to teach them how to interact with humans, and if she has a relaxed relationship with humans, so will her kittens. Here are some more tips for proper socialization:
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Scratching is a natural, normal part of feline behaviour, and your kitten may have already started to experiment with different objects around the house – like your furniture! You can avoid inappropriate scratching by keeping your kitten’s nails short and providing scratching posts. Here’s how to choose the best one for your kitten:
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All kittens are adorable, and it can be difficult to choose the one that’s just right for you and your family. Are you looking for a companion, or do you want to take your cat to shows? Do you plan on breeding your cat, or are you just looking for a pet? Here are just a few of your choices:
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By this time, kittens should be fully weaned and litter trained, and should have received their preliminary vaccines. Although they may seem independent and mature, most breeders feel it’s best not to let kittens go to their new homes before 12 weeks of age. Breeders will consider many things before releasing a kitten to its new home:
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Bringing home a new kitten is fun and exciting, but a little preparation can make things run smoothly. Plan to bring a helper with you to tend to the kitten on the ride home, and be sure to bring a carrier or cat cage so the trip is safe for both you and your kitten. Read on for more tips:
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Kittens grow by leaps and bounds during their first year, and a high quality diet formulated especially for growth will supply all the energy, vitamins and nutrients your kitten needs. When selecting a diet for this critical stage of your cat’s life, do your homework and ensure that the brand you choose provides adequate amounts of the following:
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Your kitten’s first teeth began to appear around 3 weeks of age, and by two months she already had all 26 of her baby teeth (also called milk teeth or deciduous teeth). Now that your cat is an adolescent, her milk teeth will begin to fall out and be replaced by 30 permanent, adult teeth. Here’s what to expect:
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Some pet owners agonize over whether to spay or neuter their pets. However, unless you’re a serious breeder who has made a commitment to studying and improving your breed, your best bet is to have your pet altered. Shelters are full of unwanted cats and kittens, so in addition to not contributing to the problem, here are a few more good reasons to spay your female cat:
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Intact male cats are prone to unpleasant behaviours such as roaming, fighting and marking – as well as contributing to the feline overpopulation problem. Neutering your male cat can prevent these behaviours, along with related health problems like abscesses from fighting and testicular cancer. Neutered cats are also more content to stay at home with you.
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Some people believe that it’s natural for cats to live outdoors, and that indoor cats are unhappy. In truth, although cats may enjoy the time they spend outside, they face many hazards and have a much shorter lifespan than indoor cats. What should you consider when deciding if your cat should go outdoors?
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Children and cats can be great friends, but it’s important to teach young children the correct way to handle your kitten, and how to behave so that both cat and child remain safe and happy. Here are a few rules for ensuring a happy relationship between kittens and kids:
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Cats are naturally fastidious about grooming, but sometimes they need a little help to stay in peak condition. Although some cats (especially those with long, full coats) might need frequent attention, they won’t necessarily appreciate your help. To ensure that your cat will accept grooming, it’s important to start early and start right.
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As cats groom themselves, they swallow fur which they are incapable of digesting. Normally, the hair travels through the digestive system and is passed in the stool. There’s no need to be concerned if your cat coughs up the occasional hairball – especially if she has a long coat. But sometimes hairballs can cause serious problems.
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During the first year, your kitten required extra nutritional support to fuel her rapid growth. But now that she’s fully grown, her nutritional requirements are changing – and her diet needs to change too. It’s important to select a high-quality food to meet her needs, and to feed the appropriate amount to maintain a healthy weight.
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Many common household objects can be hazardous to your cat’s health if ingested. It goes without saying that medications and household chemicals (like cleaning products, insecticides and herbicides) should be stored safely out of your cat’s reach. But what about food and plants – can they be dangerous to your cat?
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By now, your cat should be ready for its annual vaccines. There are a number of choices to be made, including which diseases to vaccine against and how often. Your veterinarian can advise you on the best approach, based on your cat’s lifestyle and the area in which you live. Read on for more information about some of the most common feline vaccines.
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In addition to the standard, core vaccines recommended for all cats, there are a number of non-essential, optional vaccines that may be beneficial, depending on your cat’s lifestyle and the area in which you live. Ask your veterinarian if vaccinating against the following diseases would be beneficial for your cat:
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Attending cat shows is a fun way to learn more about cats and meet people with similar interests. Cats of all ages and breeds can participate, as long as they have not been declawed. There are four competitive categories at: Kitten; Championship; Premiereship; and Non-Purebred. What’s involved in competing at a cat show? Read on to learn more...
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Aside from annual veterinary appointments, there may be times when your cat requires medical attention for illness or injury. You should keep your vet’s number handy so that you, or anyone caring for your cat, knows who to call. You should also find out if your neighbourhood has an emergency veterinary hospital that sees animals outside of your regular vet’s hours. So how do you know when to call the vet?
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The first year of a cat's life is approximately equivalent to 15 human years. After the first year, each subsequent year equals four human years. Cats generally live to at least 14 years of age, although some may live as long as 18 or 20 years. What can you expect as your cat ages?
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