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Velvet paws on an exploration tour: The first weeks in the life of a kitten
Is there anything more adorable than kittens? You just have to love these little balls of fur. But we shouldn't forget how formative the first weeks of a kitten's life are.
As an owner, it is worth dealing with the topics of pregnancy, birth and how to deal with young kittens.
We have put together what you should keep in mind in this article.
Birth in cats: What you need to consider
A cat's gestation period usually lasts 63 to 68 days. To make the birth easier, you should provide a whelping box for the cat in a warm (at least 22°C) and quiet place. Boxes with a removable lid and an entry hole on the side are best, as cats prefer caves. Thanks to the removable lid, you can keep an eye on the litter and intervene in an emergency.
Clean towels are best for use as a base. You should avoid terry towels, as young cats cannot retract their claws and could get caught on the loops of fabric. Make sure that both the cat and the kitten are warm and comfortable.
How to tell if your cat is pregnant
If your outdoor cat has a belly that is getting bigger and bigger, it is very likely that she is pregnant. Your vet can confirm this suspicion using an ultrasound scan and give you an approximate estimate of how long it will take until the kittens are born.
By carefully observing, you will be able to tell when the kittens are due to be born, even without knowing the day of mating. A cat's belly only grows later in the pregnancy.
In the third week of pregnancy, the nipples change first, becoming larger and pinker. The cat also needs more energy, which is why its appetite increases.
Like humans, cats can suffer from nausea and vomiting , weight gain, and mood swings during pregnancy. It is possible that the expectant mother cat will become more affectionate at first, only to move away from you later. Give her the space she needs.
From the sixth week after mating, the kittens will begin to move in the womb. You can see and feel this, especially if it is an average litter of four to seven kittens.
The kittens are coming!
The number of kittens a cat gives birth to varies and depends on several factors, such as breed. Typically, cats have between 3 and 6 kittens per litter, with the first litter usually consisting of 2 to 3 kittens.
Even if your cat can manage the birth alone, it is important to be prepared towards the end of the pregnancy to provide support if needed.
Look for the following signs of an impending cat birth:
- Refusal to eat, restlessness and the search for a quiet place indicate that labor may begin soon.
- The cat's body temperature drops to about 37.8 °C within the last 12 to 24 hours before birth.
- Shortly before the birth, the expectant mother may become louder, appear restless, or constantly want to groom herself.
- Before
During birth, strong lower abdominal contractions occur, accompanied by
some vaginal discharge. If this discharge is thick and black or bloody
contact the veterinarian. The kittens should
be born immediately after this discharge.
On average, a cat's birth lasts about 2 to 5 hours. Once labor begins, the cat will lie on its side and abdominal cramps can often be observed. Sometimes up to 12 hours can pass from the start of labor to the birth of the first kitten.
How can you help your cat?
The mother cat cares for each newborn kitten by cutting the umbilical cord and licking the little one dry. It is important that the mother cleans the kittens' nostrils to allow unhindered breathing.
Caution: If the mother cat is too tired to clean her kittens, you must intervene. Gently massage the kittens against the direction of hair growth, with the kitten's face facing downwards.
Hopefully, your intervention has not been necessary so far. As long as everything is going well, you should continue to watch the birth of the remaining kittens and remain calm.
In the following situations you should intervene and contact the veterinarian:
- The cat has been having strong contractions for over an hour, but has not yet given birth to any kittens. Contractions are indicated by hardening in the abdominal area.
- Despite three to four hours of labor and birth, no kittens have been born yet.
- Not all kittens were born within 24 hours of the start of the labor process.
- The number of placentas does not correspond to the number of kittens born - this could indicate placentas that have not yet been expelled.
- You see a kitten on the cat's genitals, but despite strong pushing, it is not fully born.
Unfortunately, sometimes some kittens do not survive birth. In the case of a miscarriage in a later stage of pregnancy, a veterinarian should examine your cat to rule out an infectious disease as the cause.
In the article “ My cat is pregnant” you will find further information about cat births.
The first 2 weeks
The newborns weigh around 100g - their eyes are closed. Since they cannot hear well yet, they rely entirely on their sense of smell to find their mother's teats. In the first three days, the mother's milk, also known as "first milk", "colostrum" or "colostrum" , is a little thinner and contains nutrients as well as maternal antibodies that protect the kittens from infections and diseases.
The newborn kittens sleep almost all the time and only wake up to drink or when their mother cleans them. Despite their blindness and deafness, they can sense smells and respond to touch.
During the first week of life, however, kittens are not yet able to urinate and defecate on their own and need the help of their mother, who massages the little one's belly with her tongue. They are also not yet able to regulate their body temperature independently.
If kittens are born at temperatures below 27°C and do not receive adequate warmth from their mother, they are at risk of dying. Therefore, the warmth of the mother and the environment plays a crucial role in the survival of the young kittens.
In the first few days after birth, you should leave the kittens alone and leave the work entirely to the mother cat.
Even if it is difficult: In order to minimize the risk of infection, you should only touch the kittens with washed hands – if at all – because they have not yet developed strong defenses.
Many kittens begin to open their eyes in the second week , while some may wait until the third week. Once their eyes are open, they become aware of their siblings, mother, and the immediate environment of the cat's nest. They also depend on the nutrients of their mother's milk and the warmth of their mother cat.
To encourage milk flow from the mother, the kittens purr and gently massage the teats while suckling, pressing them alternately with their front paws. This behavior, called " treading ," can also occur in adult cats when they are being stroked, for example.
From the second week onwards, it is advisable to stroke the kittens and speak quietly to them to get them used to contact with people.
Transition phase: The kittens become mobile
At around 3 weeks of age, walking is already a little better. Particularly curious and confident kittens try to climb out of their nest and explore the world after just 3 to 4 weeks.
At 4 weeks, they are already able to correct themselves if they stumble or fall. Their vision also improves - this means they can find their way around their surroundings better and are somewhat more independent of their mother.
Important: Keep cables and poisonous plants out of the kittens' reach.
Since worm larvae can be ingested through mother's milk , it is recommended that both the mother cat and her kittens be treated with a medically recommended deworming agent from the third week of life.
It is also time to get acquainted with the litter box . Be careful: the entrance must not be too high and the litter must not be too coarse. The kittens will then slowly learn to use the litter box through imitation.
From the 4th week you can start feeding them solid food - for example soft wet food. Many kittens are already eating dry food after 4-5 weeks and also find their favorite taste.
Why are proteins so important for little kittens?
Proteins, also known as proteins, are essential building blocks for life. They play a crucial role in the growth of every cell in the body, including muscles. Skin, hair and muscles are mainly made of protein . Proteins are made up of amino acids .
Of the approximately 20 amino acids needed for protein synthesis, 10 are essential for cats. This means that these amino acids must be obtained through food because the body cannot produce them itself.
An inadequate supply of essential amino acids from animal proteins leads to an imbalance in protein synthesis. This impairs vital functions and endangers the animal's health. High-quality kitten food with a high protein content (around 70%) is therefore extremely important for kittens to grow up healthy.
Socialization: Out into the Big Wide World
After the first month, the socialization phase of the kittens begins.
5th week of life: The kittens begin to groom themselves and play with each other. They are curious about new things and slowly get used to everyday noises. They now need to cover about a third of their nutritional needs through soft kitten food.
6th week of life: In this first socialization phase, the kittens should gather as many impressions as possible. Get them used to veterinary examinations and allow (supervised) walks on the secured balcony or contact with other animals/people. The kittens learn that people are their friends and that they can trust them. An exciting time - because the little kittens want to get rid of their energy and often cause a little chaos when they romp around.
7th week of life: Give the kittens the third deworming treatment and provide them with plenty of secure space to play and move around to promote their coordination, muscle development and healthy growth.
8th week of life: The kittens are usually completely weaned. However, they should not be separated from their mother yet in order to get through the basic immunizations and vaccinations. Some kittens simply need a little longer to develop and they should be given this important time with their mother and siblings.
At three months, kittens discover climbing, start sharpening their claws on scratching posts and jump energetically around the house when they are allowed to. Nerve connections become more stable and the muscles continue to develop, making their movements more precise.
From the 12th week of life, the young cats can move to a new home and continue to play and be active there. They are now at an age where they quickly get used to changes and settle in well in their new family.
My kitten bites - what now?
When playing and romping, kittens may bite your hands or clothing - you should not put up with this and teach your furry friend that a hand is not a toy.
The best way to do this is to stop playing immediately when such an incident occurs. Your kitten will learn that the game and therefore the fun will stop when she bites.
In brief: The learning phases
1st week: Newborn kittens are blind and deaf, sleep a lot, suckle their mother's milk and need warmth from their mother.
2nd week: The little ones open their eyes, discover their surroundings and still need mother's milk and warmth.
3rd week: Now the kittens begin to sit up, explore the nest and they need their first deworming.
4th week: The kittens try their first solid food, explore their surroundings and learn to use the litter box.
Week 5: The kittens groom themselves, play with each other and get used to everyday noises.
6th week: From now on, the kittens go through the first socialization phase, make contact with other people and animals and get used to medical examinations.
7th week: The kittens receive their third deworming treatment, become more active and need more space to play.
8th week: The little ones are now weaned, but should still stay with their mother and siblings to continue learning and to successfully complete the basic immunization.
After 3 months: The little velvet paws climb, sharpen their claws and move to a new home from the 12th week of life.
Dr.Clauder's for healthy cat mothers and kittens
The birth and the first weeks of life are exhausting for both the mother cat and the kittens. With the products from Dr.Clauder's they are well prepared - the cat for nursing and the kittens for the exciting development period that lies ahead.
