Kitten Development

Caring for newborn kittens can seem like a scary responsibility. These tiny creatures are blind and lack any independence. A cat owner should realize though that the mother cat is usually totally capable of caring for kittens. Though the mother cat may not need help caring for kittens, the cat owner should make sure that the newborn kittens’ needs are being met.

A cat owner may want to take a hands-off approach unless there is a problem. If the mother cat feels that people are being too intrusive, she is likely to move the kittens to another location. The mother will feed the kittens and keep them warm.

During the first three days, the kitten’s umbilical cord will fall off. Kittens weigh less than four ounces at birth, but double their weight by the end of the first week. Kittens do little more than nurse during the first week. The mother cat stimulates their digestion by licking the kittens clean. The body temperature of kittens is lower than usual. If a mother cat is leaving the kittens unattended or if the kittens are orphaned, a heating pad under a blanket can help maintain the kittens’ body heat.

Kittens open their eyes during the second week of life. Their eyes will appear blue, but their true eye color will not be apparent until several weeks later. A kitten’s hearing and sense of smell become active during the second and third week. Throughout the second week, the kitten may still be totally focused on nursing. But during the third week, the kittens may begin to explore their surroundings and socialize with the other kittens and the cat owner.

The kittens become more coordinated during their fourth week. They continue to become more social during this week. During week five, the kittens may be introduced to canned kitten food. Up until this time, the kittens are totally nourished by their mother’s milk. They may also start using the litter box during the fifth week. A shallow litter box should be provided as they will probably not be able to climb in and out of a standard litter box.

Socialization is extremely important during week six. Early interaction with the kittens can help set the foundation for the kittens’ future personalities. If the mother cat is uneasy around people or aggressive, it may be best to separate her from the kittens at this time. Otherwise, the kittens are likely to adopt those same responses to interactions with people.