A kitten is a smaller, aged four to eight months, version of a cat. All cats become kittens when they are first born. After the kitten stage, cats become adults.
A Tabby kitten
Birth Process and Early Life
When Kittens are created in the womb the mother cat has a gestation period of about 64–67 days. When kittens are first born their mothers milk is very important as it gives them strength. Pet Kittens can be weaned of milk. Ten days after the kitten has been born their eyes will open for the first time.
Kittens are born blind, deaf and virtually helpless. They sleep almost non-stop, an instinctive behavior that protects them in the wild. By sleeping almost constantly, there is less opportunity for the babies to wander or make noise that might attract a predator.
when not sleeping they are nursing and staying warm, and completely dependent on their mother for all their needs for the first few weeks of their lives.
A new born kitten with his brother
Kitten open their eyes about ten days after birth. they develop very quickly form about two weeks of age until their seventh week.
their coordination and strength improve, they play-fight with their littermates, and begin to explore the world outside the nest. they learn to wash themselves and others as well as playing hunting and stalking games, showing their inborn ability as predators.
as they reach three to four weeks old, the kittens begin to eat solid food, with weaning usually complete by six to eight weeks. the weaned kitten becomes progressively more independent.
A orange tabby kitten with blue eyes.
See also
- Main article: Cat
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