Kittens: An informative guide addressing basic kitten care, handling kittens, their development and behaviour and other general information on raising healthy, happy kittens.

If you are thinking about getting a new kitten or maybe just want to learn a bit more about them, this guide will teach you about the care, development and behaviour of kittens of all colours, shapes and sizes.

Kittens make excellent companions for people of all ages. Their playful antics and games often make us laugh.

Kittens are especially exciting and enjoyable to watch. Many individuals find that they can add great joy to their family by bringing a kitten into their home.

Remember that the love and care a kitten receives in its early days are essential components in its development into a healthy and well-balanced adult.

Because the first months of a kitten's life greatly affect its physical and mental growth, special care should be taken to ensure their healthy development.

Choosing a Kitten

Choosing a kitten can be great fun - but before you decide there are some serious questions to be considered.


Before you choose a kitten, take a good look at the mother as well. If she seems listless or unwell, there's a chance that her kittens will be in poor condition, too. Watch the litter playing together, and go for a kitten with a lively nature, that leaps and bounds around.

Pick the kitten up and check that his eyes are bright, and ears are clean; and the teeth and gums are healthy. Look through the fur for any sign of fleas. A cat should not be removed from his mother until fully weaned which is around eight weeks old.

The First Weeks

Kittens feed on their mother's milk for the first weeks of their lives. During this time, they nurse eagerly at every waking hour. The milk provides them with all the nutrients their bodies require. It is rich in protein and relatively low in carbohydrates and fats, compared to cow's milk.


Unless there is a special medical problem, it is best to allow the kittens to feed on their mother's milk exclusively for the first four to six weeks. This is the best food available for them - always fresh and served at the right temperature.

In the first two days after the birth, the mother cat produces a special condensed kind of milk called colostrum. The colostrum contains passive antibodies, which provide the kittens with temporary immunity to certain diseases. Even if you plan to hand-rear the kittens for some reason, it is very important to let kittens nurse naturally for the first two days if at all possible.

Weaning Kittens

Weaning kittens involves getting your kittens used to solid foods and decreasing their dependence on their mother's milk. This process is best accomplished gradually, using your kitten's age as a guideline.

The mother's interaction with her kittens is a good indicator of whether the kittens are ready to ingest solid foods. If you notice that she is hissing or batting at them, then you should start the process of weaning them from her care. Your veterinarian can give you advice regarding the proper steps to follow when weaning your kittens.

Weaning Timeline

3-4 weeks: The kittens should be ready to begin eating solid foods. At this time you can begin to give your kittens soft canned food mixed with warm water to form a gruel.

5-6 weeks: Most kittens have developed teeth and are ready for an active transition to solid foods. Since the mother may not nurse them as much as before, you should provide them with an alternative source of food. Try feeding your kittens soft canned food without diluting it with water. This will help them have an easy transition into a diet of other solid foods.

6-8 weeks: Once a kitten begins to eat solid food exclusively, it is ready to be removed from its mother. This usually occurs between six and eight weeks of age. Try not to remove a kitten from its mother before it is at least six weeks old, though some kittens may have to be removed earlier due to neglect and health problems. Consult your veterinarian if you are unsure about the condition of your young kitten.

By the time the kittens are ten weeks old, they should be feeding solely on kitten food.

Post-Weaning Feeding

Kitten or growth formulas are rich in protein as well as calories and provide the kittens with a balanced diet suited for their special needs. Investing in quality kitten food will give the kittens a healthy start in life and will help protect them from disease.

Kittens usually eat several small meals a day. Their stomach is too small to contain all the food they need divided into just two portions. Keep feeding the kittens with kitten/growth cat food until they are one year old. At that stage, gradually change their diet into regular maintenance cat food.

Although many cats keep on growing after they are a year old, the accelerated growth of kitten-hood is usually complete and the cats can adjust to adult cat food and regular eating habits.

NOTE: Cow's milk is not appropriate food for kittens! Your feline lacks the proper enzymes to digest dairy products. Access to fresh water is what your kitten needs.

The most relevant links we could find, placed here free

Information and Advice on Cats and Kittens
www.catsandkittens.com

Cute Kittens Page
www.blogjam.com

Tips and Information on Caring for Your Kitten and Achieving Peak Catness
www.friskies.com

Handling Kittens

Handling kittens requires general common sense. Just as with human babies, you should be very careful when holding your little kitten.