In the first year of life, kittens develop at a rapid rate, both physically
and socially. Learn about the major milestones in their development, and how you
can help the process along.
First Six Weeks
For the first week of life, kittens live only to process food and gain
nutrients. Their eye and ear canals will not yet be open, and the mother cat
will take care of all their needs. By the end of week two, their eyes will be
completely open. Throughout this week and the next, their senses of sight,
smell, and hearing will be developing and they'll become more aware of the
outside world. During week three, kittens may start to purr and the mother cat
may begin to wean them, as they can digest on their own.
Between weeks three and four, the kittens will start to stand and even walk. In
week five, the weaning process will start taking place in earnest. Owners should
offer kittens' well-balanced canned food especially formulated for kitten needs.
As the kittens are slowly weaned, they will continue to nurse for up to eight or
10 weeks to satisfy their need to suckle. At five weeks, kittens will be more
independent, can start to learn about the litter box, and socialize with their
litter. During week six, socializing is the most important skill for kittens to
learn as they play with each other and adjust to humans. If a kitten is not
socialized to be handled by humans by six weeks, it is a very difficult skill to
teach later in life.
Seven To Twelve Weeks
In this time period, the kittens' socializing skills continue to grow. They will
play with other kittens and humans, so enjoy this playful time. Physically, his
motor skills will improve and he will start taking on adult sleeping habits.
Typical play revolves around skills needed for hunting prey: hide and seek,
jumping, pouncing, and tracking a toy across the room.
Dont forget to get your kitten her first round of shots by week eight. A
booster round should follow three to four weeks later. If she has fleas, a
topical treatment can be started at eight weeks.
Three To Six Months
During this time of growth, you may turn around one day and your kitten suddenly
looks more like a cat. A round kitten may become long and lithe before gaining
his final adult weight. At approximately four months, a kitten will start losing
baby teeth and adult teeth will come in. Although it may be a somewhat painful
process for the kitten, it provides you with a good opportunity to massage his
gums and begin a dental care regime. Throughout these months, continue to feed
him kitten food, as he needs the additional nutrients.
Socially, kittens will find their social rank in the house, sometimes
challenging the alpha cat and sometimes falling meekly into order. These
tendencies depend on personality and social position. Traditionally, kittens
were not spayed or neutered until six months. However, many advocates of early
spaying and neutering believe that having the procedure done between three and
six months of age is more beneficial to the cat. Read up on the procedure and
talk to your veterinarian to decide how to proceed.
Six Months To One Year
This time of development roughly equates to teenager status in human beings. For
this reason, your kitten may sometimes rebuff your affections as he tests his
boundaries or tries to establish dominance. Like with teenagers, continue to
give your kitten unconditional lovebut on his terms. As mothers have said for
years, hell grow out of it!
By the end of her first year, a kitten will be almost fully grown and developed,
although she will continue to grow for another year. (Some breeds may even not
be fully developed until four years of age.) If you have given her love and
attention throughout the growing process, you two will enjoy a wonderful
relationship for many years!
Be sure to have the camera handy during this time of unequaled growth to capture
all different parts of the growing process. Years later, it will be hard to
believe the mature, sedate adult cat on your lap was ever a leaping little fur
ball!
