At what age is it better to take a kitten of different breeds home: advice from a veterinarian

After kittens appear in the house, the owner will immediately think about where to give these cute fluffy balls. However, an equally important point will be not only the place where the kittens will end up, but also the age at which they will be separated from the mother cat. In this article we will tell you when you can give away kittens, what age is optimal and why. You will also learn what exceptions exist and the negative consequences of premature separation from the mother.

Kittens are ready for independent living only at a certain age.

At what age can you buy a kitten and sell kittens: expert advice

Bought a kitten
Often people persistently want to buy a tiny kitten that is barely a month old. Moreover, there is no shortage of advertisements from breeders who want to sell animals at such a young age.

There is an opinion that an older kitten will not form an attachment to its owner. This common misconception is fraught with dire consequences. Read the article on our website about how a kitten develops week by week , and you will understand why it is forbidden to take a little fluffy from its mother.

At what age can you buy a kitten and sell kittens? Experienced veterinarians are categorical on this matter. Here are the experts' advice:

Don't complicate your life by caring for a kitten whose age has not reached 12 weeks.
Younger creatures are very small and depend on their mother for everything.
A three-month-old kitten may seem too old for those who would like to buy a funny little one and watch its development. But for a baby, this is the age when he will feel comfortable in a new place.
Also, damage to the kitten’s well-being can be caused by tearing it away from its mother until the required time. Parting with a nurse and a familiar environment provokes anxiety and stress in the baby, which immediately affects health.
In the worst case scenario, the kitten can become seriously ill and even die.

If you still have doubts and want to adopt a baby, then study the advantages of buying grown-up three-month-old kittens:

Most babies at this age already stop drinking mother's milk and make do with regular solid foods.
The course of preventive vaccinations prescribed for kittens is behind us, therefore, the immune system is adapted to changes.
The kitten has mastered the rules of communication with relatives and animals like him.
Fluffy is ready to meet his new home and is eager to explore the space he will soon find himself in.

Follow the advice of experts and then you will have a new furry friend at home who will be comfortable and safe in the new room.

What to do with a mother cat

Any cat has a maternal instinct, and the process of weaning kittens from her will be painful for her. Therefore, the owner must do the right thing by following the recommendations of experienced specialists:

In order for the cat to go through the process of weaning the kittens faster and easier, it is recommended to remove from the house everything that would remind her of the babies and have their smell.
There is no need to take all the babies away from the mother cat at once. If she suddenly stops feeding milk, this will cause pain in the nipples, and stagnation of milk can lead to the development of mastitis and other inflammatory processes. The milk should gradually decrease.

During the period when the kittens are taken away from the mother cat, the owner should surround her with increased care and affection, devote more time to her, and play so that she is distracted.

Vaccinations for kittens: age, what, first vaccination when?

Vaccinations for kittens
The first year of a kitten’s life is filled with all kinds of medical procedures. These are repeated treatments against helminths (worms), external microbes, fleas and vaccination. Veterinarians convince that vaccination is necessary, because without vaccination the body will not deal with infections, and the animal may get sick.

The first vaccination for a kitten is best done at the age of 8-10 weeks . The second injection should be given after 3-4 weeks . If all vaccines are completed, you only need to worry about getting a booster shot once a year. Here is an approximate calendar of injections, treatments and what vaccinations kittens need to receive:

4–6 weeks - first treatment for worms
6–8 weeks - second treatment for worms
9 weeks - first comprehensive vaccination
10–12 weeks - third treatment for worms
12–14 weeks - second complex vaccination

How to prepare a cat for vaccinations? Here are the tips:

The main condition before the vaccine is that the animal must be given an anthelmintic drug one or two weeks before.
There is a huge selection of them, including in the form of treats that the animal will eat with pleasure.
Can be used in the form of drops on the fur, which will not provoke any protest and will be well tolerated by the cat.

If these conditions are not met, then after vaccination, the cat may contract an infection, and treatment will cost the owner a tidy sum of money. Look at the detailed calendar of vaccinations and treatments for kittens:

At what age is a kitten considered a kitten?

Little kitten
Cats remain playful into old age, which is why they always look cute like kittens. Often, owners do not understand when their pet will become an adult. Until what age does a kitten remain a kitten?

Kittens begin to move like adults at two months of age.
Six-month-old animals enter adolescence. You should be careful at this time.
Pets exhibit behavioral characteristics with might and main: they mark space, yell, and conquer territory in fights. However, an animal that has reached sexual maturity is still considered a kitten.
The development of a cat is completed only by one and a half years. Now there is no doubt that the pet has finally matured.
By this time, animals acquire not only physical, but also social maturity.

However, there is no shame in an adult cat frolicking like a kitten. If a cat remains active and inquisitive in his advanced years, then this is not a reason to doubt his maturity.

One to two months

A one-month-old kitten remains in many ways just as unprotected as it was a couple of weeks earlier. For example, he still needs breast milk for normal development. Trying to switch a kitten to special dry food or natural products at this age is not yet recommended.

Up to three months, kittens continue to need their mother's presence.

Keeping a one-month-old kitten

In general, kittens from one to two months begin to actively develop and increase in size, they have much better control of their body and are able to independently move around the house. At this time, children can already be taught such important aspects of everyday life as:

tray;
scratching post;
relationships with family members and other animals (if any).

Let's dwell on these aspects for a moment and reveal them in more detail.

Tray training

At the age of one month, the pet already gains control over its natural needs and chooses the appropriate place to send them. It's time to introduce the kitten to such a device as a tray and let the baby understand why it is needed. It is important to understand that the tray must be selected according to the size of the kitten. Toilets for mature cats with high sides will seem like impregnable fortresses to a young cat, then the choice should be made on small trays. The kitten should be able to easily jump into the tray.

One-month-old kittens are already able to learn the rules of using a litter box

It is also recommended to approach the choice of filler responsibly. Kittens tend to taste everything they come across, so you should immediately exclude the following filler options:

silica gel;
sand filler;
clumping filler (from bentonite clay).

Clumping granules, which immediately swell in your pet’s stomach, are a direct threat to his life. Silica gel litter, on the other hand, can get stuck in your kitten's throat and cause suffocation. Therefore, the best choice would be natural wood filler, which will not lead to serious consequences even if it enters the gastrointestinal tract.

Kittens often use litter for other purposes than its intended purpose.

By the way! If the kitten has an increased interest in the litter, you can switch to a tray with a grid, which prevents the animal from direct contact with the materials.

Training to a scratching post

At one month of age, the kitten begins to actively use its claws and teeth. Even though the pet cannot yet cause any significant damage, it is important to channel its energy in a positive direction. The fact is that at this age, kittens show the makings of hunters and they are already beginning to realize their predatory instincts. That is why it is important to set boundaries and priorities in a relationship with your baby in a timely manner and show him what is possible and what is not.

It is most convenient to accustom kittens to scratching posts from childhood.

Usually the cat is engaged in this educational moment, biting the kittens a little in those situations when they go beyond what is permitted. If there is no female at the moment, the owner should take care of the instructions. The optimal solution to this problem would be to redirect the kitten's activity to the scratching post. With it, he will be able to satisfy his need to use his claws with the least damage to others.

There are three main types of scratching posts:

stationary or wall-mounted;
floor (in the form of a rug or column);
built into the gaming complex.

Low scratching posts are good for kittens so they can't fall off.

Floor-mounted and stationary scratching posts are best for kittens. It is better to buy play sets for older pets, since kittens may accidentally fall from them without calculating their strength.

Socialization

If you have small children or animals of any age in the house, it is important to think about the kitten’s safety in advance. It is important for children to clearly explain how they can and cannot play with a kitten, since they can play and accidentally injure the kitten.

The kitten must be introduced to other animals in the house in the presence of the owner.

It is advisable to temporarily keep other pets away from the kitten, since the result of their interaction can be unpredictable, even if the more mature pet was distinguished by its calmness. Of course, completely isolating a kitten is pointless and even harmful for the baby itself. Therefore, meetings with other pets should be arranged only under the control of the owner himself, in order to be able to quickly influence the situation in unforeseen circumstances.

Possible negative consequences

It should be noted that some nurseries practice selling kittens from the age of one month. In some cases, such an early farewell of cubs to their mother passes almost without a trace for them, especially if the owner has enough time to take care of the kitten. But there are also negative consequences, both physiologically and psychologically:

Month-old kittens separated from their mother's milk may initially suffer from bouts of diarrhea that threaten dehydration. In this way, the baby’s body reacts to a change in environment, a change in diet and inevitable stress;
When switching from mother's milk to other types of feeding, the kitten's stomach often suffers.
Kittens that have not yet formed “personally” can receive serious psychological trauma if they are separated from their mother early. Subsequently, such animals may exhibit unmotivated attacks of panic or aggression, and it can also be more difficult to teach them any rules.

You can read about the features of feeding one-month-old kittens

At what age are kittens measured?

Little kittens
Metrica is an officially issued birth certificate for a pet. This is a kind of identity document, like a passport for people. Only the metric contains other data that indicates its pedigree.

This document states:

Date, month, year of birth
Breed name
Gender of the animal
Pet name
Color
Mother's nicknames for father
Parents' color
Breeder's initials
Owner's initials
Signature and seal of the organization where the document is issued

To get a metric, the owner needs to contact a cat lovers club in any city. Before filling out the document, kittens are examined for defects. If there are none, the metrics are signed and certified with a seal. A certificate for a pet can be made at an age starting from 45 days .

Negative psychological factors of early weaning

According to statistics, in 80 cases out of 100, when adopting a kitten before three months of age, minor and medium-sized problems arise. In the remaining 20 babies they had a serious form. More than a third of pets separated from their mother too early acquire the habit of sucking on pillows, soft toys, and blankets. 40% of kittens have an aggressive attitude towards people. Many babies, separated from their mother before 2 months, are too timid, afraid of sounds, strangers, and do not adapt well to a new environment. Such pets often exhibit psychoneurotic dysfunctions.

Up to 3 months, kittens undergo the formation of their main organs and systems; during this period they receive the main lessons from the cat, learn to contact the external environment and people. A pet that has not gone through this important period in a familiar society with its mother, sisters, and brothers often:

does not comply with the rules of cat hygiene;
difficult to switch to regular diet;
He is disobedient and poorly trained in the litter box.

A serious problem is the psychological stress experienced by children who have not undergone social adaptation next to their mother. They are hit by several negative factors at the same time. They are deprived of the guarantees of safety that a cat provides, they are surrounded by foreign objects, smells, sounds, they do not know how to properly explore this area and look for a reliable shelter. No matter how caring the owner is, he will not be able to explain all these wisdom to the kitten the way a mother would.

At what age are kittens spayed or neutered: recommendations

Neutered kitten
The earliest age to have your pet neutered is 6 months . This is the period of puberty of the animal. The optimal age for castration of a kitten is 7-8 months . Cats grow up to 1 year and it is best to do this when the body is formed, but not completely. It is from 6 to 8 months that this is the right time to castrate or sterilize a kitten.

Worth knowing: It is undesirable to delay castration, since an older animal experiences hormonal changes in the body.

Veterinarians recommend not castrating older animals - from 8 years old , due to the possibility of poor effects of anesthesia.

Conclusion: The ideal time for castration of cats is from 6 months to 8 years.

How and what to feed your baby?

When the kitten is six weeks old, they begin to feed it seven times a day, with special dry food.

Before distributing the cubs to other people, the breeder must tell them how the cubs ate, since a sudden change from one food to another causes dyspepsia in kittens. At 6 weeks the animal is switched to dry kitten food. The number of feedings is 7 times a day and as they grow older, one feeding is eliminated every month. If the cat is purebred, a large selection is offered by Royal Canin, which produces food for Maine Coon, Persian, Siamese, and British babies. Or they are fed with special high-quality food with o, “Pronature”, “Origin”, “Akana”, “No”, “Go”, “Karnilov”, “Nutram”.

A small pet's diet should include boiled boneless fish and liver (no more than 1 meal every 2 weeks), raw frozen meat, cut into small pieces. Steamed meat products are strictly not recommended. Minced meat is undesirable because the baby will not learn to chew. Gluten-free porridges are healthy - rice, buckwheat, oats with the addition of meat ingredients and boiled vegetables. Raw yolk and low-fat cottage cheese can be 1 r. in 7 days. All products should be introduced gradually, in small portions, observing the body's reaction. After a year, an adult cat is given food with the Adult symbol if there are no health problems.

At what age do kittens change their teeth, whiskers, and eye color?

A small kitten whose whiskers, teeth and eye color have not yet changed.
Milk teeth erupt in kittens at the age of 2 to 4 weeks.

Somewhere in the third week, when the baby already has incisors and fangs, baby teeth begin to change to permanent ones.
This process will be completely completed by 6-7 months .
Read more in the article at this link , when kittens change their baby teeth, how this process occurs and how to help your baby so that it is less painless.

At what age do kittens change eye color ?

A newborn baby's eyes do not yet have pigment, and therefore they are blue.
The change occurs depending on the breed. A cat without a breed will have dark eyes at 1-1.5 months . In an animal with a pedigree, this process can last from 1 to 12 months.
A cat's eye color finally changes by age 2 .

Vibrissae and tactile hairs are organs of sensitivity, inspection and tactility in a cat, which we call whiskers. They appear in infancy, then grow and change throughout the cat's life, unnoticeable to humans.

Interesting: It often happens that a mother cat gnaws off the whiskers of her children. It is not known why she does this, but the breeders are sure that this is necessary so that the stupid little tomboy does not crawl out of the nest prematurely. It will take six months for the kitten to grow new whiskers.

Consequences of early separation

Owners of future furry pets often show impatience and rush to take the little creature into the house immediately after starting complementary feeding, at the age of 1 - 1.5 months. Undoubtedly, kids are very interesting, touching, and evoke a lot of positive emotions. However, early weaning from the mother leads to negative health consequences and affects the behavior of the future adult animal. Among the unpleasant moments that owners often have to face when untimely separation of a kitten from a cat, the following should be noted:

Digestive problems. An undeveloped enzyme system still does not digest solid food well. Cubs deprived of mother's milk do not digest adult food well, they develop diarrhea and dysbacteriosis, which often leads to death.

Weak immunity. Mother's milk during this period, although it does not provide the growing body with nutrients, still contains a high level of protective substances. Untimely weaning leads to a weakened immune system, making kittens vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections.

Early weaning is accompanied by a strong stress reaction of the fragile organism. The bond between the cub and the mother at the age of 1 - 1.5 months is still very strong, and the animals have a hard time with parting. Against the background of stress and a weak immune system, the risk of developing diseases increases.

When taking home a baby who has not passed the socialization stage, owners often encounter inappropriate behavior of the future pet. The kitten shows aggression towards members of the household, does not make contact, and does not know how to play. A baby separated from its mother early cannot get along with other animals and reacts incorrectly to danger. An unpleasant moment for the owner may be the fact that the fluffy ball does not caress, but scratches, bites, attacks, tears up furniture and shits anywhere. This behavior is due to the fact that the weaning occurred too early, and the cat did not have time to teach its offspring the rules of good manners and adequate behavior in society.

At what age should kittens be bathed?

The kitten's first bath
In the first weeks of life, the kitten's hygiene is maintained by the cat herself. Therefore, during this period you should refrain from swimming. At what age should kittens be bathed?

It is best to do this at 3-4 months , after the baby teeth have been replaced.
This age guarantees that the body will tolerate the procedure well and that mental disorders will not occur.

Of course, you need to perform bath procedures when it is relatively warm in the house and outside. During cold weather it is better not to take risks. Read more in the article at this link , you need to bathe kittens in general, because many owners are sure that this is not necessary.

Worth knowing: You should not bathe kittens with human shampoo - it is best to purchase a special one. It would also be a good idea to check the composition - for children it is better to use a product that has natural ingredients.

Optimal age to move

Kittens are often purchased through online advertisements.
Thoroughbreds are offered starting from 3 months of age. There are often offers to adopt 5-7 month old kittens. Pseudo-pedigree animals without documents of origin are sold as early as 3-4 weeks of age. Kittens from 3 weeks old are placed in “good hands” for free. Usually these are kittens from domestic and outdoor cats whose owners for some reason did not neuter. At what age is it better to take a kitten home is an important question. Professional breeders claim that at 3-4 months the kitten is completely independent of the cat: it licks itself clean, knows the litter box, uses a scratching post following the example of its mother, eats and plays independently. The main thing is that the cat no longer feeds the kitten with her milk. The restructuring of the gastrointestinal tract was smooth and natural, the kitten switched to “adult” nutrition without stress. He is not afraid of people, plays with pleasure and cuddles up to them.

The baby, previously separated from his mother, suffers without her milk. It is difficult for him to digest industrial feed or natural food, which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and refusal to eat. He doesn't know how to lick himself or wash his paws. Because of this, his eyes may become sour and respiratory diseases often occur. Such a kitten is still poorly oriented in space and is not able to use the tray - it simply does not remember where it is. By relieving itself in different places, the kitten gets used to uncleanliness, and this habit is difficult to break. When a kitten has a need to sharpen its claws, it will satisfy it using the owner's sofa, wallpaper or doors, because there is no one to show it to the scratching post.

Note! It is optimal to adopt a kitten at 3-5 months: with vaccinations, treated for parasites and socialized. At older ages, kittens are usually taken from breeders. These kittens attend exhibitions from 10 weeks, have diplomas and are preparing for a show career and breeding

The cost of an exhibition animal is much higher than the price of a kitten without diplomas and titles. A kitten that is unsuitable for exhibitions and breeding is usually already neutered at this age, and breeders sell it for a low price. A neutered purebred kitten is an excellent solution for those who want a pet from healthy producers that meets breed standards, but do not plan to breed

These kittens attend exhibitions from 10 weeks, receive diplomas and are prepared for an exhibition career and breeding. The cost of an exhibition animal is much higher than the price of a kitten without diplomas and titles. A kitten that is unsuitable for exhibitions and breeding is usually already neutered at this age, and breeders sell it for a low price. A neutered purebred kitten is an excellent solution for those who want a pet from healthy producers that meets breed standards, but do not plan to breed

At older ages, kittens are usually taken from breeders. These kittens attend exhibitions from 10 weeks, receive diplomas and are prepared for an exhibition career and breeding. The cost of an exhibition animal is much higher than the price of a kitten without diplomas and titles. A kitten that is unsuitable for exhibitions and breeding is usually already neutered at this age, and breeders sell it for a low price. A castrated purebred kitten is an excellent solution for those who want a pet from healthy producers that meets breed standards, but do not plan to breed.

At what age are kittens trained to use a litter box or scratching post: recommendations

A kitten is taught to use a scratching post.
Kittens grow quickly and strive to constantly explore the world. At what age are kittens trained to use a litter box? Here is the answer :

Kittens are trained to use the litter box from 3-4 weeks .
If the kitten does not understand what needs to be done, you can “interest” him and lightly rustle the litter in the tray.
As a rule, animals are smart and curious, so the baby will quickly understand what is required of him.

As for the scratching post, here are some tips and recommendations:

It is also worth accustoming a kitten to it from a very early age, while its desire to explore the world around it is at its peak, and its claws already need a little “polishing.”
From the age of 1-2 months, kittens are already making attempts to tear at furniture with their still weak claws.
You can buy a scratching post during this period.

It is important to remember: The process of accustoming to a scratching post is not that simple. Therefore, in some cases, it may take a long time.

What should a kitten be able to do by the time it starts living independently in a new home?

When the time comes and the kitten needs to move to a new home, he must be completely independent of his mother and have certain skills. This means that during the period of independent life, by twelve weeks, the kitten must be trained to use a tray and a scratching post. Also, to avoid problems with feeding, he should switch from milk to solid food.

When accustoming a kitten to food, you can use the following method. Place a bowl of food in front of the baby and dip his face into it. When the kitten gets a taste, he will begin to eat on his own.

The kitten must learn to eat on its own

The kitten usually learns how to go to the toilet using the litter box by watching the mother cat. At first he may just play with the filler, but later he understands its purpose. The main thing is not to place the tray far from the kittens’ habitat; they are still too small and will not be able to tolerate it for long.

A cat mother can teach a baby to use the litter box

I also start using a scratching post for kittens following the example of their mother. To attract their attention, you can hang up more toys or spray them with catnip-scented spray.

It is also important for kittens to gain social skills, such as human contact. From the first days of life, the kitten must be held for at least 10-15 minutes a day. They are also useful to play with, pet and talk to.

It’s good when a kitten can calmly relate to procedures such as bathing, brushing, examining teeth and trimming claws. Babies should be allowed to interact with different people and animals, as well as explore new sounds and smells.

It is easy for contact kittens to get used to a new home

At what age can a kitten be treated for fleas: wear a collar, use drops?

Kitten treated for fleas
Fleas prevent the kitten from developing normally. In addition, they carry diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to promptly begin to protect the baby from these pestering insects. At what age can a kitten be treated for fleas? Here is the answer:

You can treat a kitten against fleas using special drops starting from 1-2 months of age .
After all, the presence of these insects can cause significant harm to the animal even in infancy.
Of course, the age of the pet also determines the type of product. For very young kittens, you should choose more natural, gentle products.
Those drops that are used to treat adult cats will not work.
You can use sprays or drops on the withers.
As a rule, at the age of 1-2 months, kittens are treated for fleas even by the most humane owners, who believe that it is not worth “tormenting” the animal until a month.

Worth knowing: If the kitten is less than 4 weeks old and has fleas, they do not use medicines, but folk recipes - as a rule, these are natural decoctions and infusions.

Anti-flea collars are also used to control fleas. But it is worth remembering that they do not serve to eradicate existing parasites, but for prevention. if fleas are already present, then it is better to resort to medication.

Important: Carefully study the composition of the drops and choose those whose recipe contains natural ingredients. After all, the smaller the kitten, the more sensitive its body.

During the treatment, the pet should not experience discomfort from substances with a pungent, unpleasant odor, much less suffocate. Keep an eye on your baby, and if he doesn’t like something or doesn’t feel well, then you need to remove the product as soon as possible.

Key points for caring for a stray animal

Isolate your pet from other animals.
Always wash your hands after handling your kitten.
If possible, take your baby to the vet immediately.
When you can't go to the doctor, examine your kitten carefully. If he looks healthy, you can just leave him in isolation.
It is not recommended to bathe a kitten unless it is very dirty. It is better to wipe with a damp cloth soaked in warm water.
Treat your pet for fleas and ticks, and get rid of worms.
Feed your cat correctly. Give good food, observe feeding times.
When the baby gets stronger, get vaccinated.
Monitor your pet's health, and if there are any problems, take them to the doctor.

At what age do kittens start walking?

The kitten is already starting to walk.
From birth, kittens are absolutely helpless and are not able to move independently. But at what age do kittens begin to walk? Here is the answer:

5-10 days after birth, the animal’s sensory abilities increase, and it begins to develop its front legs.
Closer to the 10th day , the kittens' eyes open, which gives them a sense of orientation in space.
In the future, babies will continue to develop sensory abilities. Thanks to the organs of touch and hearing, the kitten will achieve the ability to navigate in space, which will contribute to confidently standing on its paws.
Within two weeks the baby will feel confident and will even try to jump.

From this moment we can assume that the kitten actually began to walk. With practice, the ability to walk will improve, and already 20-25 days after birth, the kitten’s ability to walk will approach the skills of an adult.

I adopted a cat from the street: what to do if there are fleas or worms

A kitten picked up from the street always has fleas and worms. Check with your veterinarian which medications are best to give to your pet at his age and the dosage. For example, Dironet Spot-On and Dana Ultra will help you cope with fleas and ticks. These drugs are usually given from 2 months of age, but in critical cases they can be used earlier by reducing the dosage.

Anthelmintic (Dirofen) is first given to kittens at 3 weeks, and after 10-14 days a repeat dose. After this, you need to contact your veterinarian to find out when to vaccinate your baby against deadly cat diseases.

Anti-worming medications for kittens: at what age are kittens dewormed?

Anti-worm medications for kittens
Worms for animals cause many problems with health and well-being. Therefore, they need to be removed in a timely manner, and it is better to do prevention. At what age are kittens dewormed? Answer:

You can fight helminths as early as three weeks of age.
However, drugs must be labeled accordingly. If there is no inscription “for kittens” , then this product can only be used at one and a half to two months.
Kittens should not be wormed often - once every three months will be enough.

The most popular medications for kittens against worms:

Tablets: Milbemax, Drontal, Prazitel, Dirofen. Despite the fact that the tablet form is more difficult for animals to consume. Veterinarians recommend it, since the tablets contain a higher concentration of active substances. You can crush the tablet and put the powder in the kitten's food or directly in the mouth. But then you need to give it a drink, for example, from a syringe without a needle.
Suspension : Prasitel, Prazicide, Dirofen and Febtal combo. Convenient form for reception. In liquid form, you can give the product using a special dispenser, which is included in the package, or using the same syringe without a needle.
Drops : Drontsit, Profender, Stronghold, Prazicide. Used as a preventive measure.

It is important to consider: How often does your kitten go outside (and whether it does), how often does it communicate with other animals. If your pet is always at home and there are no other animals in the apartment, deworming can be done less often.

Food products are also taken into account. In some cases, deworming medication is used more often than once every 3-4 months, if the animal eats offal, raw minced meat, etc. But a kitten can become infected with worms even before birth - from its mother cat. The drug should be chosen according to age and weight. As a rule, most products are available in both an “adult” version and a “children’s” version (for kittens).

Advice: Give preference to natural preparations.

Rules for choosing a kitten

When choosing a small pet in a nursery, you need to adhere to a number of rules. The kitten should:

Eat solid foods on your own.
Be able to use the litter box as a toilet.
Maintain your own hygiene.
Use special tools for sharpening claws.
Have a strong immune system. This reduces the risk that the kitten will contract an infection.
Be ideally adapted to life in society, open to contact with people, treat other animals adequately if there are other pets in the house.

Only if the selected kitten meets all the above requirements can it be safely adopted as a pet.

Until what age does a cat take care of a kitten: facts

The cat takes care of the kitten
Kittens, like any children, are always very dependent on their mother, but at some point, they still need to become independent. Until what age does a cat take care of a kitten?

During the time when babies are socializing ( from 1 to 3 weeks ), they develop a sense of family connection. They understand that they need to repeat everything after their mother, but there are also people with whom it is also interesting and fun.
Also at this time, the role of the cat increases not only as a mother, but as a teacher and mentor.
Using games and communication, the mother builds the behavior of her children and teaches them to hunt.

In the subsequent stage of socialization, from approximately 3 to 8 weeks , the final formation of self-care skills and the instillation of cleanliness occurs. Although the kittens may seem to be on their own, separating kittens from their mother is not the best option.

Worth knowing: Closer to 12-16 weeks, kittens become much more independent, and the cat stops taking care of them, and this is already a proven fact by many owners of these cute animals.

From birth to one month

Caring for newborn kittens is the most difficult. Such cubs are not yet completely adapted to independent life, and any inaccuracy or mistake on the part of a person can lead to serious negative consequences, including the death of the baby. As a rule, newborn kittens come to a person only if he himself accidentally discovered them or is the owner of an adult cat that gave birth.

Caring for newborn kittens is best left to the “mother” cat.

Cat breeders do not recommend that buyers take pets at such an early age, since there is a high probability that an inexperienced person simply cannot cope with the baby.

Needs of newborn kittens

In the first month of life, kittens especially need support from the mother or her “substitute,” which sometimes turns out to be a person. Among the primary needs that kittens have, it should be noted:

need for warmth. Being cuddled to its mother, the kitten maintains its optimal body temperature. However, if he finds himself completely alone, he will quickly freeze. Therefore, he will definitely need a box, a towel (or other fabric) and a moderately heated heating pad;
The cat's body allows the kittens cuddled up to it to maintain an optimal temperature
nutritional needs. It is important for everyone who wants to get a newborn kitten to know that store-bought milk cannot be a substitute for mother's milk. Cow's or goat's milk simply isn't digested properly by kittens and causes stomach upset. Therefore, they can only be fed with special mixtures sold in pet stores;
need for protection. With mother's milk, the kitten receives substances that help strengthen the newborn's immunity. Of course, this only applies to those cats that themselves have undergone timely vaccination. If the kitten does not have access to such milk, its immunity becomes even weaker. Therefore, it is recommended to interact with such a baby only with previously disinfected hands;
By feeding on mother's milk, kittens maintain their immunity at an acceptable level.
need for stimulation. Newborn kittens have not yet become full masters of their body and do not know how to use all organs for their intended purpose. For example, they cannot go to the toilet without the help of their mother, who licks their anus, thereby irritating it and causing bowel movements. In the absence of the mother, this task falls on the person, who must periodically carry out this stimulation with a soft, dampened cloth.

Content Features

Kittens that are less than a month old still have poor control of their body, and therefore need constant monitoring. What can we say about coordination, if kittens’ eyes open on average only in the second week of life, and before that they have minimal opportunities to contact the outside world.

Sphynxes' eyes open earlier than other breeds.

By the way! Different breeds have eyes that open at different times. It is believed that in sphinxes this process occurs very quickly, to the point that representatives of the breed can be born with their eyes open. Long-haired breeds usually take longer to “raise their eyelids.”

To prevent the kitten (or kittens) from scattering in different directions, it is advisable to place them in a container, which can be either a wooden box or a strong cardboard box. Warm warming fabrics should be placed at the bottom of the container to make the kittens comfortable. It is important to choose a material that will prevent kittens from getting stuck in it.

It is advisable to keep kittens in boxes or crates that they cannot crawl through.

Temperature conditions

Newborn kittens need a temperature of at least thirty degrees. Then this figure should gradually decrease. By the end of the third week, the cubs feel well even at a temperature of 24 degrees.

The following can be used as a heat source:

heating pad;
heater.

To keep the kittens from freezing, the temperature in the box must be maintained using a heating pad.

Using an automatic heater is considered more convenient, since there is no need to constantly check the temperature of the device. The heating pad needs to be updated quite often, since the water cools down quickly.

Important! A kitten box with a heater should be large enough to allow the kittens to move away from the heat source when it gets hot and move closer to it when it gets cold.

Feeding

As already mentioned, trying to feed kittens with store-bought milk is not only useless, but also dangerous. The owner of a newborn kitten has two options - give preference to ready-made substitute mixtures or try to make a similar mixture with your own hands.

Newborn kittens up to one and a half months old, left without a mother, are fed with special mixtures

Among the brands of ready-made breast milk substitutes, the following manufacturers are most popular:

Beaphar Kitty-Milk;
Hartz;
Babycat Milk ROYAL CANIN;
Katzenmilch;
Gimpet Cat-Milk.

Table. Daily portions for kittens in the first month

Age	Portion calculation
One week	30 milliliters per 100 grams of body weight
Two weeks	35 milliliters per 100 grams of body weight
Three weeks	40 milliliters per 100 grams of body weight
Four weeks	50 milliliters per 100 grams of body weight

There are also “homemade” versions of mixtures, but it is important to consider that not all recipes that will be provided below are suitable for every kitten.

DIY kitten mixtures

Psychological aspect

Early separation from the mother in one way or another leaves an imprint on the kitten’s psyche, affecting all its subsequent behavior. In the first weeks and months of life, it is the “mother” cat who is the optimal role model for her cubs. Thanks to her, they learn to use a tray, sharpen their claws in the right places and react in a certain way to a person.

Kittens that gain independence early may have trust issues in the future.

Kittens growing up side by side with their mother feel protected not only physiologically, but also psychologically. Subsequently, such kittens grow into balanced and calm cats and cats. If a person attempts to adopt a kitten from the street, then he should understand that such a baby may exhibit the following behavioral characteristics:

excessive caution bordering on cowardice. Inability to establish contact with a person due to fear that a threat may come from him;
high level of aggression both towards strangers and towards the owner. It often happens that kittens that have not established close contact with their mother cannot establish it with anyone else in adulthood.

It is important to establish emotional contact with a newborn kitten so that it does not grow up in alienation and loneliness.

Of course, this does not always happen. And, if the kitten is “adopted” as a practically newborn, he will be able to quickly get used to the person, seeing protection or support already in him. Here a lot depends on the owner himself, as well as on the degree of his consciousness and willingness to devote a large amount of time to the helpless baby.

Video - Nursing a newborn kitten

At what age can a kitten’s claws be trimmed: recommendations

Kitten's nails are trimmed
Long nails are a nuisance to any pet. In addition, they can break, damaging the tip of the paw, and this is already dangerous, since an infection can get inside the body. At what age can a kitten's nails be trimmed? Answer:

This can be done starting from 4 months . At this time, they are already beginning to interfere with the cat’s ability to run and move actively.
The formation of claws begins much earlier - from 4-8 weeks of life , and if there is a possibility that the cub may be injured due to the length of its claws, you can begin the procedure much earlier than the deadline.
At a younger age, kittens' claws are fragile, so they do not cause significant harm, but they can interfere and injure the paws if the animal accidentally gets caught on something.

Of course, you should also pay attention to how quickly the claws grow. After all, some animals' claws grow faster, while others grow slower. It is best to trim once or twice a month.

Important recommendation: When carrying out the first haircut, you should pay attention to accustoming your pet to the procedure, calming it down and encouraging it with treats.

Adult cat

Cats do not always end up with new owners at a young age. There are different situations, among which there are also those when both mature and already elderly animals are looking for a home. In such cases, people often think about the problems that they may encounter when taking into their home an adult, fully formed animal with its own habits and outlook on life. We will talk about such difficulties in this chapter.

Finding a common language with an unfamiliar adult cat is a difficult but doable task.

Let’s make a reservation right away: by adults we mean those cats that have already reached one year of age. So, there are two main scenarios in which an adult cat ends up with new owners:

the animal was found on the street;
the animal was taken out of breeding and put up for sale by the breeder at a deep discount.

Stray cats

If the background of a stray cat is unknown to you, and, most likely, it has never lived under the same roof with a person before, then you will probably encounter a number of difficulties in trying to domesticate the animal. It is difficult to accustom mature cats to a litter box, scratching post and other household things that these animals have never dealt with and simply cannot rebuild themselves.

Taming a stray cat requires self-discipline and certain skills from a person

Accustoming such cats to the rules of living at home can take a lot of effort, nerves and time. Therefore, it is recommended to take on such a task only if you already have some experience in raising felines. Also, do not forget that stray cats are more predisposed to aggression in order to protect themselves, so expecting such a pet to immediately settle on your lap and purr is pointless.

Before adopting a stray pet, it is important to undergo a full veterinary examination.

It is also important to remember that a stray cat may have hidden illnesses that need to be identified as soon as possible. Therefore, the first thing you need to do after “adopting” such a cat is to take it to the veterinarian and get all the tests done.

Video - How to tame a stray cat?

Cats from catteries

Cats, of course, leave catteries in disproportionately better condition than those from the streets. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all breeders treat their pets humanely and care about their well-being; therefore, “sold” individuals may later develop various health problems, and, in particular, with reproductive systems. This is especially true for females who may have been used for mating too often in order to produce kittens.

Catteries often sell off mature cats that can no longer participate in breeding work.

In order to take a good mature cat from a cattery, you must first study the history of the breeder you are contacting. It is also recommended to visit his nursery and look at the animals in general.

At what age do kittens open their eyes?

A grown-up kitten with long-open eyes
Not every cat owner knows the characteristics of their pet’s body. Especially beginners cannot even answer such a question as opening the eyes of a kitten. Let's try to clarify the situation.

Experienced owners, based on their expertise, know that kittens open their eyes 7-20 days after birth . It all depends on the characteristics of the cat breed:

The Sphinxes are considered to be leaders in this matter . There have been cases of these kittens being born with their eyes already open. Basically, on the third day, sphinxes already confidently look into the eyes of everyone around them.
Next in line are representatives of Siamese, Thai and Siberian breeds . These include the British and Scots . The period of eye opening in such kittens occurs from the fifth to the tenth day.
In last place are kittens of the Ragdoll . They open their eyes around 21 days after birth.

Worth knowing: Cats do not finally gain sight at the moment they open their eyes. They become fully sighted 5-8 days after they open their eyes.

What else should you buy for a kitten?

Regardless of whether you keep the kitten or are looking for new owners, you will need:

Tray and litter for the toilet. The cat picked up from the street is wild and does not know what a litter box is. Toilet training is one of the first things you need to do if you adopt a cat from the street.
Bowls - one for food, one for water.
Scratching post. Cats love to sharpen their claws, so you need an accessory that will save your furniture from damage. Buy a few pieces, place them around your apartment, and teach your baby to use a nail clipper.
A house, a bed where he can rest.
Carrying. The accessory will come in handy when you need to take your baby to the veterinarian or when moving to another apartment. Carrying a kitten in your hands or bag is unreliable - it can jump out and get lost.
Toys that he can occupy himself with when he wants to play.
Veterinary first aid kit. Your doctor will tell you what medications you must have in the house.

If you pick up a cat from the street, buy accessories in veterinary stores and pet pharmacies that have quality certificates. Avoid shopping at the bazaar, especially medicines. Even if what you see is not a fake, but an original item, its storage conditions leave much to be desired.