Kittens Growth Calendar

BRITISH SHORTHAIR

CALCULATOR OF KITTEN DEVELOPMENT STAGES

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Date

Weeks

2017-10-20

The newborn kittens are blind and deaf, but have sense of touch, sense of smell, can crawl, by feeling temperature differences can find mother.

After birth, kittens should get warm ASAP, because they can't regulate body temperature yet and while they are wet their temperature dropping very fast. If mother let you - use a heating pad or bottles with warm water covered with a towel for kittens.

After last kitten's delivery, clean up all and return babies for mother.

Is very important that the kittens receive the queen's milk, because first days mother's milk is not usual milk, but colostrum containing antibodies for kittens protection against infections for next 3 months. Kittens are able to a to absorb these antibodies only first 1-2 days.

Now is easy to determine sex of kitties. Under tail you see 2 openings, if they are close (like "i"), the kitten is a girl, if they are far (like ":"), the kitten is a boy.

Everyday record and control kittens weight for first 2-4 weeks.

2017-10-20
2017-10-21

The first 2 days are the most critical for kittens survival.

Mother with kittens should be checked every 2 hours, especially if queen is inexperienced. Be prepared to call veterinarian.

2017-10-20
2017-10-22

Carefully inspect kittens umbilical cord and body around for any signs of infection.

2017-10-21

First days is possible for kittens to gain not much weight, but that's only for 1-3 days and later they should catch up fast.

Newborn kittens should be sleep or suck. Pay close attention if crying or don't sucking.

2017-10-21
2017-10-24

At these days umbilical cord generally drops off.

2017-10-25
2017-11-02

The external ear auditory canal begin to open and shortly kittens will begin orienting to a sound.

2017-10-26

After 1 week kittens should have doubled their weight. Daily weight gain should be about 10 grams.

If the mother don't feeding enough kittens, then you should help her. That can be 2-3 feedings daily. If mother don't have milk or kittens can't suck for first week handfeed each 2 hours. Use a quality artificial queen's milk (e.g. "Royal Canin Babymilk"), avoid cheap products.

Give milk for mother also and don't overfeed babies.

2017-10-28

Kittens open slightly the eyes and may appear slit. Newborn's eye color is blue and will start change in next 2 months.

Kittens eyes should be clean even looking foggy.

Bright lights can damage kittens eyes

2017-11-03

Ear canals now should be fully opened. Soon will possible acoustic orientation.

Kittens can stand up now.

2017-11-06

Now begins important period of socialization between kittens and with cats / humans.

The kittens will be able for urination and defecation without external stimulation.

2017-11-09

If kittens didn't instinctively purr shortly after birth, they should be able now purr intentionally.

First teeth are visible.

Because eyes are open, kittens can orientate visually, are aware of their surroundings and trying to explore.

Kittens are trying to following others.

Time to introduce a small litter box, but use natural litter filling, e.g. Cat's Best or any other wood litter.

2017-11-09
2017-11-16

First baby teeth should be visible already.

2017-11-16

Time to introduce for kittens soft, wet food e.g. "Royal Canin Babycat Instinctive Mousse", kibble softened with water or ground meat.

2017-11-16
2017-11-30

Kittens eyes changes to the specific color for breed and color pattern.

2017-11-23

Movements are fully adult-like.

2017-11-30

Kittens can be nearly fully weaned, but may continue to suckle mother for long.

Kittens are very active, their social play is entertaining now and need lots of space.

2017-12-05

Adult teeth will start to appear.

2017-12-13

Reactions and sleeping patterns are like adult cat.

If kittens are healthy - time to deworm now using special kittens preparation.

2017-12-23

Kittens can regulate temperature of the body with their internal controls.

If kittens are dewormed and healthy - time to visit veterinarian for first vaccination against Rhinotracheitis virus (FVR), Calicivirus (FCV) and Panleukopenia (FPV).

Kittens gets microchipped for future identification before receiving pedigree and for registration in Agriculture Inspection.

2017-12-29

Most inborn behavior traits are finalized (except sexual).

2018-01-02

If your kitten is healthy - time to deworm before vaccination.

2018-01-13

Kittens begins scent marking by clawing.

Second vaccination against Feline Respiratory Disease - Rhinotracheitis virus (FVR), calicivirus (FCV), Panleukopenia (Feline Infectious Enteritis) and Rabies can be given now.

The kittens are 12 weeks old now and from now and after 2 vaccines, with microchip, pedigree, animal passport they can leave the nest and go to a new home.

2018-01-13
2018-02-11

Recommended kittens desexing.

2018-04-21

If kittens are not desexed, then each day increases risk factor to get sexual behavior and scent marking by spraying, also begin of heat for girls. If kitten isn't for breeding - should be desexed ASAP.

2018-08-21

10 months. From now kittens can be treated as adult cats. Personality and individual characteristics are set.

Cat have all his permanent teeth.

Fast growing period is ended, but cat will not reach full size until 2-3 years old.

If has not been started already, then soon will begin sexual behavior.

Cats can participate in cats exhibitions in adult class.

2018-10-21

1 year old. Time to use adult food / adult nutrition.

We have kittens!

BRITISH SHORTHAIR