Every responsible owner approaches the health of his furry pet with particular seriousness. Understanding that this factor is largely determined by several factors, the owner tries to create the most suitable conditions so that the development of kittens corresponds to all normal indicators. These include proper nutrition, the home conditions in which the animal lives, the presence of other pets in the house, and so on.
Factors affecting kitten growth
1) Genetic factors
– cat breed (the larger the breed, the longer the growth process takes)
- mother’s weight (the more massive and larger she is, the faster her kittens will grow)
2) External factors
— nutrition (if kittens are malnourished, then the timing of growing up may shift)
— vitamins (it’s no secret that a deficiency of vitamins and beneficial microelements negatively affects the growth of a pet)
- living conditions (stray cats are much smaller than domestic cats because they live in terrible conditions, are constantly exposed to stress and have poor immunity due to a lack of vitamins)
- stress (for example, moving has a negative impact on vigor, appetite and activity, and therefore on physical development)
— the presence of parasites (they take away some of the nutrients and do not allow the cat to grow and develop harmoniously)
Read about treatment for parasites: Treatment for parasites
The main indicator is age
A kitten is a child with fur and a tail, which means it needs to be treated as such. Raising little kittens is always associated with pranks, disobedience, and later with rebellions of adolescence. Before you start training your pet, you need to assess its physical and psychological age.
From birth to 2 months, kittens are under the care of their mother . Kids actively communicate with each other and learn to build relationships. Essentially, at this stage, the quadruped goes through a process of basic socialization. Children have their first conflicts, and they resolve them as best they can; some fight, others silently retreat. At this age, kittens do not yet fully control their own bodies, but every day they become more and more confident in themselves and their abilities.
If you become the parent of an orphaned kitten, then the main task becomes survival. Feeding such a baby is not easy. The kitten needs to be bottle-fed every 2-4 hours, warmed and protected. A separate topic is the correct choice of food products, since whole and store-bought cow’s milk is not suitable for babies. The best choice is powdered cat milk replacer. You will have to massage your baby's stomach and genital area with a warm, damp cloth, otherwise he simply will not be able to go to the toilet.
Important! If you do not have experience in feeding blind kittens, do not take risks and consult a veterinarian.
As soon as the baby has opened his eyes, mastered complementary feeding and confidently stood on his paws, he can prepare to move to a new home. At this age, the main aspect is a complete and balanced diet. However, the kitten will face a lot of stress - moving, change of owner, environment and daily routine. Try to smooth out the baby’s experiences as much as possible, maintain the usual daily routine and food intake, take from the breeder or curator some of the bedding that will smell (for a while) of the mother.
Next, you will watch your ward grow up, not by months, but by days. The baby will begin to master running, jumping and other tasks that are difficult for his age. The kitten will realize that he is quite strong and will begin to climb all kinds of surfaces. Around this age it is necessary to begin raising a baby , but the main attention should be paid to his safety. The baby may already understand the importance of boundaries, so try to isolate the kitten in a room, house or carrier for the period of time until you can monitor it.
Important! If you decide to train your kitten to be carried, start with a 2-3 minute period and increase it gradually. Stay close to the carrier and continue to soothe your baby.
It is necessary to pay special attention to the equipment of the rest area . The kitten will need a house, which can be bought or made at home. As soon as the baby goes to his place, do not disturb him. Your pet should be sure that he can step away from the hustle and bustle and be in complete peace and safety.
Praise and Punishment
Remember that by bringing a kitten into your home, you have taken on responsibility. You have committed to put up with pranks, be patient, and be there if your pet gets sick. No child was brought up without punishment to a greater or lesser extent. You, as a “parent”, must be prepared to be tough.
Until the age of six months, the kitten is not punished, but ignored. If your child has done something wrong, be offended by him, turn away, change your tone. Give your pet the opportunity to independently recognize the wrongdoing. If the ward is deliberately naughty, you have to use the “whip”.
The best way to interrupt an unwanted action is noise . Buy a regular whistle, or just clap your hands. For example, if a kitten starts scratching the sofa, clap your hands and lightly slap it with a rolled-up newspaper. After such punishment, the baby will stop unwanted actions, and when he hears the clap, he will run away without waiting for the spank.
