How to Track the Development of Kittens

Tracking the development of kittens is something you do naturally, which is what makes it so easy. You need very little, mainly your own sense of observation and enthusiasm. Think of keeping it as a diary of your kitten’s first six weeks, and if you know what to look for it will help you pick up on whether your kitten is on track or if something is wrong.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Camera for pictures
• A notepad for notes
• Scrapbook to keep your pictures, notes, and health documents

1. At birth, write and take pictures of the little things your kitten does, which at this stage won’t be much. They are blind, deaf and weak and they can crawl only a few inches at a time. Their only desires are for food and warmth. A kitten at this time is usually 4 to 6 inches long, and weighs only 2 to 4 ounces.

2. Weigh your kittens every day. It’s another sign of whether your kittens are on track. If a kitten should start losing weight, the cause needs to be determined as soon as possible. It could be that the kitten is sick with a virus or bacterial infection, have a cleft palate, making it difficult to suck, or mom's milk may be dried up.

3. Week 2 – behold – your kittens’ eyes begin to open. Their eyes will be blue because all kittens eyes are that color at that age. Their vision will be blurred at first, and their pupils don't dilate and contract readily, so they should be kept from bright lights. Their sense of smell begins to develop, and they will seek out their favorite treat by scent. Their ears begin to unseal, and they can now raise their front legs off the ground. Their first teeth might appear at this time. These "baby" teeth or milk teeth are termed "deciduous teeth".

4. The fun really begins at week three. This is when a kitten becomes more aware. Ear canals will be completely open, and while his sense of hearing is still developing, he may be startled by loud sounds. The ears may be fully erect, and he may shock you with a purr.

5. Your kittens are beginning to stand on and move on short, shaky little legs by week four. Their bodies are out of proportion to their eventual adult state, and their little tails are very short and "stick-like.” They will also interact more with their littermates.

6. It’s time to start weaning by week five. This is a gradual process and may not happen completely until the kittens are between eight to 10 weeks. However it’s time to start introducing them to can food. Give them the same food as their mother. This will help them accommodate quickly. Also use a shallow plate and expect their first experiences to be messy, but think of all the fun, cute pictures you will have of them. It would also be a time to teach them the basics of a litter box. Each kitten will need small separate boxes that would make it easy to get in and out with only an inch or two of litter. Avoid their ingestion of harmful substances by using a natural litter such as one made from corn cobs, paper, or wood chips - NEVER clumping clay.

7. It’s week six and look out. Your kittens at this age can run, pounce, and leap. They have no problem entertaining themselves and their human observers endlessly. They should learn that hands are for holding, petting and feeding, not playing. A plastic drinking straw is a good toy at this age. Drag it across the floor and your kitten will have fun chasing it.

8. After week six a well-socialized and completely weaned kittens is ready for you to take her home that’s if your been watching her progress at a breeders or if you plan to adopt her out to another family.