| Kittens, just like any other babies, grow up so fast. | | | | start coming in and they can be trained to use a litter |
| They remain kittens until they are about two years | | | | box, but always with supervision. |
| old, but it is the first three months of their lives that | | | | Weeks Five and Six |
| are the most critical in their development. Before a | | | | Now your kittens will become even more entertaining |
| kitten is moved into a new home, it is imperative for | | | | because this is the stage when they learn how to |
| their health and well being that they first reach the | | | | play. They will wrestle and pounce the other kittens, |
| proper stage of development. The problem is: how | | | | and will begin batting at everything in sight. Care must |
| do you know when a kitten is ready to be given to | | | | be taken to ensure that they do not cause damage |
| a new home? The following stages outline the early | | | | to your home or to each other. They will also start |
| development in the life of a kitten, from birth to | | | | learning to groom themselves, and can start being |
| adoption. | | | | weaned off of their mother's milk and taught to eat |
| Newborn Kittens | | | | soft, wet food from a bowl. |
| Tiny and utterly helpless, newborn kittens are | | | | Weeks Seven and Eight |
| completely dependent on their mother for everything. | | | | Now is the time to take your kittens to the vet for |
| All they know is comfort, discomfort, and hunger, | | | | their first vaccinations. They are becoming very |
| and they will cry if their needs aren't being attended | | | | proficient at play, and will be mostly weaned from |
| to. | | | | their mother. |
| Weeks One and Two | | | | Weeks Nine and Ten |
| Newborn kittens will open their eyes when they are | | | | You will want to begin exposing them more |
| between seven and fourteen days old. All kittens are | | | | frequently to a greater variety of humans to help |
| born with blue eyes, and, even though they are | | | | develop their social skills. They will need lots of play |
| open, they are still mostly blind. They develop the | | | | time and attention. Their eyes will settle into their |
| ability to discern identity by smell, and begin to learn | | | | adult color at this time, and they will be ready for the |
| self defense by hissing at anyone who is not familiar | | | | next series of vaccinations. |
| to them. | | | | Week Twelve |
| Weeks Three and Four | | | | This will be the most difficult time of all. Your kittens |
| Your kittens' ears will open and they will develop the | | | | are weaned, litter box trained, and ready to be |
| ability to hear. They will also begin walking on | | | | moved to their permanent homes. They still have a |
| unsteady legs and exploring their immediate | | | | long way to go, but are old enough to thrive away |
| environment. This is also the age when their teeth will | | | | from their mother. |