Kitten Diaries

A SNEEK PEEK INTO THOSE EARLY DAYS

- Dr. Reeja George P

THE EARLY KITTEN DAYS – IMPORTANT MILESTONES

During their first week of life, kittens spend much of their time suckling and sleeping and this combination results in doubling of their birth weight by end of the first week. As they enter the second week of their life, they should continue to increase their weight to the tune of 10 grams a day. The second week of the life of the kitten is also momentous; in that, it ushers in a new phase of her life as she opens her eyes between the ninth and the fourteenth day. Her eyes will be blue for several weeks and her baby pupils begin to learn the art of dilating and contracting in response to the changing light, so you have to be extra careful not to use very harshly of glaring lights as this may damage her eyes. By the third week, her world becomes even wider as her ear canals open up and she also becomes receptive to various smells and odors around her. With eyes and ears open now, she becomes more confident to venture a little away from mom and engage with her environment.

CATS THAT HAVE BEEN VACCINATED ALSO TRANSFER IMMUNITY TO THEIR KITTENS WITHIN THE FIRST 24 HOURS OF BIRTH THROUGH COLOSTRUM, THE FIRST SECRETION THAT YOU OBSERVE FROM THE TEATS.

POINT NUMERO UNO – KITTEN VACCINATIONS AND DEWORMING