Your feline companion counts on you to keep them healthy and happy throughout their life. Supporting them in every kitten stage is vital for their lifelong companionship and makes sure the bond between you both will get stronger and healthier. It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t smile when they see a kitten. The first life cycle of a cat, the kitten months are so cute! These young balls of energy are adorable, fluffy, and even their overall kitten behavior will melt your heart. These kitten stages will be cherished for years to come. Make room on your cameral roll, your kitten will take up most of the image storage.
Keep in mind, at this age; kittens have a high play drive. The first life cycle of a cat is the best time to gradually introduce them to children and other pets in a positive way. It is also the ideal time to make sure they are comfortable with nail trims, coat and teeth brushing, carrier training, and even transportation. The kitten stages are complex, but like any animal, small steps, and knowing what to do will make having a cat a rewarding experience in your life. Be patient with your kitten’s high-energy behavior. A day will come when you wish he was a cuddly ball of non-stop fun again.
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Physical Characteristics
Newborn kittens will have folder ears and closed eyes. This is at the onset of birth, and things like a sense of smell, hearing, and taste will develop during their first week. During the first life cycle of a cat they will grow their incisors out and learn to walk and play. During this stage, your cat will go through a lot of changes, both physical and mental, in this part of their life. It is essential to focus on these changes to ensure your feline companion becomes a well-balanced, confident, and friendly cat. Your bond with her will grow even stronger for the next cat lifecycle.
Tips for Playing During the Kitten Stages
For a kitten, playing is life, and playing is also about prey. While cute, kittens are, in essence, a tiny little hunter you have just let into your house. It's not too challenging to teach your kitten to play. These steps will help you make your feline friend know that a rough place is unacceptable, and it may reduce the number of band-aids you will wear in the future.
- Avoid allowing your kitten to play with your feet or hands. This will make them think your toes and fingers are potential prey for pouncing.
- Use a toy you can throw for them to chase or a fishing pole-type of toy. This will help keep them away from your body, especially your hands.
- Kittens like to wrestle. To avoid them grappling with your feet as you walk across the room, give them an alternative.
- Encourage them to wrestle with a specific toy. You can do this by rubbing it against their belly when they have the urge for some rough play.
- Avoid yelling at them if they pounce or nip. This will make them fearful of you.
Kitten Behavior
Kittens are inherently mischievous. Behavior in the first life cycle of a cat also involves a lot of curiosity. They are curious to explore their world and need training, work, and socialization to help curtail a lot of this behavior. Play aggression is part of growing up. Play fighting and even play help hone their hunting instincts which can be needed even in a domestic situation. They can chase, pounce, wrestle, bite, and even scratch. If you don't have any other cats, then you are your kittens sparring partner. It's best to distract him with a hiss or a loud noise. Another option is to use a toy. Striking your kitten can be interpreted as rough play, which can instigate more aggression. Provide a scratching post for your kitting to use. Kittens scratch on vertical surfaces to mark their territory. You can deter them from scratching your furniture with newspaper or plastic on the surface of areas you don't want to be scratched.
Food and Nutrition
Kittens, unlike their adult versions, need special diets for them to grow healthy and strong. Find a high-quality and nutrient-rich food that is recommended for the kitten. This will help them grow into healthy adults. Keep in mind that kittens are known to be finicky. You may find yourself trying foods with different textures in case they decide they no longer like the food you've been initially giving them.
Grooming
Kitten are beautiful creatures. Even though they have a fantastic coat, their fur can get tangled. There's also the ever-present furballs. Grooming your kitten isn't just about making them look fancy. Removing the dead hair will keep their skin and coat healthy, plus it will help you build a stronger bond with your pet. Since a kitten's fur is softer, shorter, and even fluffier, it doesn't take a long time to take care of your pet. It is also essential in getting them used to getting groomed at a young age as it will make it easier for you as your cat gets older.
How to Brush a Kitten's Fur
- Start gently with a brush or comb, so your cat gets used to the grooming.
- Comb with the grain of the fur than against to remove loose hair and knots in their fur.
- Be patient if a knot is resistant. Pulling too hard can damage their coat.
- End the session with a game or treat, so it ends positively.
- Spring and summer bring more brushing as they will shed more.
Trimming Your Kitten's Claws
- Ask your vet for assistance. Before jumping into the clipping your kitten's claws, ask your vet to explain how to do the procedure, so it's down without bleeding or pain.
- Make sure your cat is comfortable. Choose a comfortable place to sit and have the kitten on your lap. Soothe your kitten between clips.
- Use guillotine clippers. These are the best for the job.
- Take your time when doing this. Make smaller cuts than one big cut.
Sleep Needed
Newborn kittens spend 90% of their time sleeping. This equates to roughly twenty hours a day. A kitten's sleep will be agitated and have small quick contractions on their face muscles and ears. Kittens may also make little sounds. This is normal and is similar to your REM sleep. A kitten will even sleep near their mother or siblings to keep warm as they are unable to sufficiently regulate their body temperature for the first few weeks then begin to sleep on their own afterward. Making sure your cat has a good quality of sleep essential for their physical and mental well-being. This will help with playtimes and your bonding.
Kittens are adorable. They are also new to the world and are filled with enough curiosity to last most people a lifetime. This is also a great time to build a bond with your pet and make sure your kitten gets the attention they need. This will not only make your cat healthier, but it will give you an animal companion for years to come.
Why Is Kritter Kommunity Your Trusted Pet Partner?
Lisa Illman is the Founder of Kritter Kommunity, LLC. Not only does she have one tuxedo male adult cat currently, she has had him since he was a baby kitten; so she knows well the kitten life cycle, the teenage cat life cycle and the adult cat life cycle (he is currently 11 years old). Prior to her cat Finnegan, Lisa had two FIV positive cats for over a decade. Lisa’s love for animals her entire life (she also had a poodle and parakeet growing up plus was a caretaker for her roommate’s 3 pets during college) and networking with the pet community for over a decade, enable her to find top content for her readers.
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