If a kitten is born
what happens next?
Continue reading below and follow the experiences of the 5 kittens and their mother in our animal home. Our plan is to keep them the next 8 weeks and to find a good address for the kittens and their mother.
We will describe how the kittens are doing after their birth. With the help of photos we will explain everything.
Continue reading below and follow the experiences of the 5 kittens and their mother in our animal home. Our plan is to keep them the next 8 weeks and to find a good address for the kittens and their mother.
We will describe how the kittens are doing after their birth. With the help of photos we will explain everything.
We describe when their eyes open and when the umbilical cord dries up. We will also discuss the weight at birth and how much a kitten grows each day. The weight increase or our kittens has been registered every day.
Questions like: “which kind of food do I have to give them? And “When must I worm and vaccinate the kittens and their mother?” will be answered.
During the first weeks of their lives kittens go through a number of phases. We will indicate which phases they go through: It varies from just lying, to start walking and reacting on their surroundings.
Questions like: “which kind of food do I have to give them? And “When must I worm and vaccinate the kittens and their mother?” will be answered.
During the first weeks of their lives kittens go through a number of phases. We will indicate which phases they go through: It varies from just lying, to start walking and reacting on their surroundings.
There will be more soon, visit this page regularly for an update of the kittens’ experiences The neonatal phase: 0-14 days The transition phase: 3-7 weeks The second socialization phase 7 - 14 weeks 14 weeks – 6 months 6 months – one year
The neonatal phase: 0-14 days
Kittens are born after an average pregnancy of 63 days. A kitten cannot hear or see when it is born. It fully depends on the mother.
When they are born they weigh about 100 grams. Every 2-3 hours the kittens drink mother’s milk. The first few days it is very important to check if a kitten grows. At least weigh each kitten 1x per day, you will then be able to see if the kitten gets enough milk and can grow well. If the kittens are very squeaky and don’t grow enough it might be caused by the fact that the mother doesn’t give enough milk. It is then important to give additional feeding by means of kitten milk.
We have registered a growth schedule of our kittens.
After the first day the umbilical cord starts drying in more and more. About one week after the birth the umbilical cord will fall off.
After about 10 days their eyes and ears will open. Below, you will see some kittens with their eyes open.
We have three female cats and 2 tomcats in the animal home. Especially if the cats are young it is extremely difficult for an owner to determine the sex. You must closely pay attention to the distance between anus and urethra. For more information concerning the sex of kittens.
Which kind of food should you give? Make sure the mother gets enough food. In order to be able to give milk she needs a lot of energy: food. The mother must have unlimited food at her disposal (this is called ad lib feeding). It is good to give the mother kitten food from 2/3 of her pregnancy. During the end of her pregnancy and during breastfeeding she will get the right food then. An extra advantage is that, as soon as the kittens start eating normal food, they can join their mother during eating.
The veterinarian of Hills’ had seen the kittens and their mother during his visit. He thought it was great that we care for the kittens and supplied us with kitten food, for which we thank him.
Unfortunately it turns out that one of our kittens has a flat chest. It is that serious that the kitten has breathing problems and doesn’t grow well.
The kitten with the flat chest doesn’t grow enough compared to his brothers and sisters. We feed him kitten milk with the help of a little nipple, especially suitable for these kinds of kittens. We also regularly place this kitten at a teat so that it can start drinking at his mother’s.
Kittens are born after an average pregnancy of 63 days. A kitten cannot hear or see when it is born. It fully depends on the mother.
When they are born they weigh about 100 grams. Every 2-3 hours the kittens drink mother’s milk. The first few days it is very important to check if a kitten grows. At least weigh each kitten 1x per day, you will then be able to see if the kitten gets enough milk and can grow well. If the kittens are very squeaky and don’t grow enough it might be caused by the fact that the mother doesn’t give enough milk. It is then important to give additional feeding by means of kitten milk.
We have registered a growth schedule of our kittens.
After the first day the umbilical cord starts drying in more and more. About one week after the birth the umbilical cord will fall off.
After about 10 days their eyes and ears will open. Below, you will see some kittens with their eyes open.
We have three female cats and 2 tomcats in the animal home. Especially if the cats are young it is extremely difficult for an owner to determine the sex. You must closely pay attention to the distance between anus and urethra. For more information concerning the sex of kittens.
Which kind of food should you give? Make sure the mother gets enough food. In order to be able to give milk she needs a lot of energy: food. The mother must have unlimited food at her disposal (this is called ad lib feeding). It is good to give the mother kitten food from 2/3 of her pregnancy. During the end of her pregnancy and during breastfeeding she will get the right food then. An extra advantage is that, as soon as the kittens start eating normal food, they can join their mother during eating.
The veterinarian of Hills’ had seen the kittens and their mother during his visit. He thought it was great that we care for the kittens and supplied us with kitten food, for which we thank him.
Unfortunately it turns out that one of our kittens has a flat chest. It is that serious that the kitten has breathing problems and doesn’t grow well.
The kitten with the flat chest doesn’t grow enough compared to his brothers and sisters. We feed him kitten milk with the help of a little nipple, especially suitable for these kinds of kittens. We also regularly place this kitten at a teat so that it can start drinking at his mother’s.
The transition period: 2-3 weeks
The mother is a great mother. She defends her kittens with a great deal of verve. If other cats sit in the pen next to her she starts growling dangerously. She also does it if dogs pass by which, according to her, come to close to the pen. For us she has become very sweet and she loves to be cuddled and stroked.
Fortunately, we have already found an owner for 3 kittens and we try to find an owner for the other kittens and the mother.
The kittens’ paws get more strength and the kittens start crawling around more and become a bit less dependant of their mother. They can hear and see better and better. Unfortunately the flat chest kitten gets more and more problems and after 2,5 weeks of additional feeding you notice that the body weight is only half the weight of the other kittens. We find it very hard, but unfortunately we have to decide to have he kitten put to sleep since it doesn’t have a future.
We find it terrible, but we have to move on and continue describing the experiences of the other kittens.
In the meantime someone who is looking for a kitten contacted us and this owner will consider if she also takes the mother.
When the kittens are 2-3 weeks old the first teeth are coming through. Continue reading and find out which tooth or molar will come through after how many weeks.
When the kittens are 3 weeks old they start eating, besides the milk of their mother, a bit of food. The best way is to make porridge of canned food mixed with artificial milk.
The mother is a great mother. She defends her kittens with a great deal of verve. If other cats sit in the pen next to her she starts growling dangerously. She also does it if dogs pass by which, according to her, come to close to the pen. For us she has become very sweet and she loves to be cuddled and stroked.
Fortunately, we have already found an owner for 3 kittens and we try to find an owner for the other kittens and the mother.
The kittens’ paws get more strength and the kittens start crawling around more and become a bit less dependant of their mother. They can hear and see better and better. Unfortunately the flat chest kitten gets more and more problems and after 2,5 weeks of additional feeding you notice that the body weight is only half the weight of the other kittens. We find it very hard, but unfortunately we have to decide to have he kitten put to sleep since it doesn’t have a future.
We find it terrible, but we have to move on and continue describing the experiences of the other kittens.
In the meantime someone who is looking for a kitten contacted us and this owner will consider if she also takes the mother.
When the kittens are 2-3 weeks old the first teeth are coming through. Continue reading and find out which tooth or molar will come through after how many weeks.
When the kittens are 3 weeks old they start eating, besides the milk of their mother, a bit of food. The best way is to make porridge of canned food mixed with artificial milk.
The first socialization phase: 3-7 weeks
When they are 3 weeks old they start discovering things more and more. Walking is still a bit uncomfortable. They often fall down.
When they are 4 weeks old the kittens especially play with each other and with their mother.
In the beginning the game especially consists of hitting with their forepaws but as the coordination improves it turns into playing around and biting.
When they are 4 weeks old the kittens will start to get control over shitting and urinating. They actively start to make use of the cat’s box, they imitate their mother and you hardly have to teach this. You might possibly help them by placing them in the cat’s box after diner. This phase is very important for the socialization of kittens.
If they are regularly picked up by people they will be less scary for strange people or objects in the future and they will be playing, purring and nuzzling more. In this period it is also important to introduce the kittens to other animal species with which they have to live together.
When they are 4 weeks old, the kittens and their mother are wormed for the first time.
When they are 3 weeks old they start discovering things more and more. Walking is still a bit uncomfortable. They often fall down.
When they are 4 weeks old the kittens especially play with each other and with their mother.
In the beginning the game especially consists of hitting with their forepaws but as the coordination improves it turns into playing around and biting.
When they are 4 weeks old the kittens will start to get control over shitting and urinating. They actively start to make use of the cat’s box, they imitate their mother and you hardly have to teach this. You might possibly help them by placing them in the cat’s box after diner. This phase is very important for the socialization of kittens.
If they are regularly picked up by people they will be less scary for strange people or objects in the future and they will be playing, purring and nuzzling more. In this period it is also important to introduce the kittens to other animal species with which they have to live together.
When they are 4 weeks old, the kittens and their mother are wormed for the first time.
Worming kittens and their mother
Kittens can already get infected with worms through the mother’s milk. It is therefore not strange that a large part of the kittens has already been infected with worms when they are young. Since a worm infection can influence the development of a kitten adversely, it is very important to worm the kittens. The mother should get wormed at the same time.
Kitten
4 weeks 6 weeks 8 weeks 4 months 6 months
Worming
In general, a worm infection doesn’t bother adult cats. They, however, are an infection source for other cats, and more important, for yourself. That is why we advise to also have adult cats wormed twice a year.
For more information concerning worms and the consequences of a worm infection for your pet you can read our worm brochure.
Continue reading….
When they are 5 weeks old the mother’s care becomes less important and the mother will take more and more distance from the kittens. In praxis, the mother will often leave the nest for a walk.
When they are 6 weeks old, mother and kittens must be wormed again.
The owner who wanted the mother and the kitten decided not take them. Anja Engels, who worked for us a couple of years ago, saw the kittens during her visit. She wants to take the mother and the kitten to Zeeland, where she lives. We have now managed to find a home for all kittens and their mother.
Kittens can already get infected with worms through the mother’s milk. It is therefore not strange that a large part of the kittens has already been infected with worms when they are young. Since a worm infection can influence the development of a kitten adversely, it is very important to worm the kittens. The mother should get wormed at the same time.
Kitten
4 weeks 6 weeks 8 weeks 4 months 6 months
Worming
In general, a worm infection doesn’t bother adult cats. They, however, are an infection source for other cats, and more important, for yourself. That is why we advise to also have adult cats wormed twice a year.
For more information concerning worms and the consequences of a worm infection for your pet you can read our worm brochure.
Continue reading….
When they are 5 weeks old the mother’s care becomes less important and the mother will take more and more distance from the kittens. In praxis, the mother will often leave the nest for a walk.
When they are 6 weeks old, mother and kittens must be wormed again.
The owner who wanted the mother and the kitten decided not take them. Anja Engels, who worked for us a couple of years ago, saw the kittens during her visit. She wants to take the mother and the kitten to Zeeland, where she lives. We have now managed to find a home for all kittens and their mother.
The second socialization period: 7-14 weeks
The kittens eat the canned food and they also get used to the cat chunks gradually. We first soaked them and gave them to the kittens. You now and then see them grasping hard chunks.
7 weeks is the legal nipple age. This means that the kittens, according to the law, may leave the mother. The kittens are now able to live without the mother. We advise to give the kittens to their new owner when they are 8-9 weeks old.
They start discovering more and more.
When they are 8 weeks old, mother and kittens must be wormed again.
When they are 9 weeks old the kittens are vaccinated for the first time.
Below schedule is our basis vaccination schedule
The kittens eat the canned food and they also get used to the cat chunks gradually. We first soaked them and gave them to the kittens. You now and then see them grasping hard chunks.
7 weeks is the legal nipple age. This means that the kittens, according to the law, may leave the mother. The kittens are now able to live without the mother. We advise to give the kittens to their new owner when they are 8-9 weeks old.
They start discovering more and more.
When they are 8 weeks old, mother and kittens must be wormed again.
When they are 9 weeks old the kittens are vaccinated for the first time.
Below schedule is our basis vaccination schedule
| Kitten | Adult cat | ||||||
| 9 weeks | 12 weeks | 1 year | 2 year | 3 year | 4 year | Etc. | |
| Cat’s disease |  | | | ||||
| Cat flu | | | | | | | |
| Rabies | Advise: At least 30 days before going abroad. | ||||||
Playing with the kitten
When they are 9-14 weeks old the kittens need a social game which makes this period suitable for searching a new owner. For building up a social bond between owner and kitten it is good to play together. When they are 12 weeks old the social game with the owner or other cats becomes less interesting and they usually only play with toys then.
How can you play with a kitten?
If you want to avoid aggression problems of a cat towards a human being, it is important to teach your kitten not to bite/scratch people during playing. Playing needs to take place with toys. If the kitten bites or scratches the owner he must immediately stop the game by walking away or ignoring the kitten.
The kittens go to their new owner, unfortunately. The tomcat will be living with one of the black/white female cats in Amersfoort. The other black/white female cat goes to harmelen. And mother and the remaining kitten go to Zeeland. We will miss them. Fortunately, the new owners send pictures to us and we will see some of the kittens when they get vaccinated.
When the kitten is 12 weeks old, it is vaccinated for the second time. This is necessary to strengthen the first vaccination (a booster), so that protection is guaranteed for one year. .
When they are 9-14 weeks old the kittens need a social game which makes this period suitable for searching a new owner. For building up a social bond between owner and kitten it is good to play together. When they are 12 weeks old the social game with the owner or other cats becomes less interesting and they usually only play with toys then.
How can you play with a kitten?
If you want to avoid aggression problems of a cat towards a human being, it is important to teach your kitten not to bite/scratch people during playing. Playing needs to take place with toys. If the kitten bites or scratches the owner he must immediately stop the game by walking away or ignoring the kitten.
The kittens go to their new owner, unfortunately. The tomcat will be living with one of the black/white female cats in Amersfoort. The other black/white female cat goes to harmelen. And mother and the remaining kitten go to Zeeland. We will miss them. Fortunately, the new owners send pictures to us and we will see some of the kittens when they get vaccinated.
When the kitten is 12 weeks old, it is vaccinated for the second time. This is necessary to strengthen the first vaccination (a booster), so that protection is guaranteed for one year. .
14 weeks until 6 months
When they are 4 months old the kittens must be wormed again.
The kittens will become more and more independent. They love playing with all kinds of things. They also want to discover everything. We advise to only let them go outside accompanied. If they go outside alone you will never know if they are chased by other cats and if they can find their way home. If a cat goes outside, we advise to chip him. Should he get lost or run away you can find the owner through the chip.
When they are 4 months old the kittens must be wormed again.
The kittens will become more and more independent. They love playing with all kinds of things. They also want to discover everything. We advise to only let them go outside accompanied. If they go outside alone you will never know if they are chased by other cats and if they can find their way home. If a cat goes outside, we advise to chip him. Should he get lost or run away you can find the owner through the chip.
What is a chip?
A chip is a small glass covering including an unique numeric code which is coupled to the owner. The chip is placed subcutaneously. With help of the scanner the chips can be read. After having placed the numeric code we report it to Daisyweb through internet.
If the cat runs away and ends up with a veterinarian, animal ambulance or animal home, the owner can be found by entering the unique numeric code on the internet. Placing the chip is not very painful, but if you don’t want your cat to feel anything it can occur during the sterilization or castration. On that moment the cat is stunned and doesn’t feel anything.
With help of the scanner the numeric code can be read.
For a possible insurance a chip also is very important.
A chip is a small glass covering including an unique numeric code which is coupled to the owner. The chip is placed subcutaneously. With help of the scanner the chips can be read. After having placed the numeric code we report it to Daisyweb through internet.
If the cat runs away and ends up with a veterinarian, animal ambulance or animal home, the owner can be found by entering the unique numeric code on the internet. Placing the chip is not very painful, but if you don’t want your cat to feel anything it can occur during the sterilization or castration. On that moment the cat is stunned and doesn’t feel anything.
With help of the scanner the numeric code can be read.
For a possible insurance a chip also is very important.
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