Kitten 101

On this page we will discuss kitten development and what they are learning. 
Newborn: Kittens are born without the ability to see or hear. Their eyes are sealed shut and their ear canals are closed. Their umbilical cords remain attached until they're 4-6 days old and will fall off on their own. They rely on warmth from mom, littermates and a heating pad to stay warm. Kittens and mama are in their own room, in a quiet area.
Week 1: Not much has changed yet but exciting things are about to happen!
Week 2: Kittens eyes have opened but their eyesight is still poor. Their ear canals are open and they can now hear. Their nails are still non retractable and they do not have teeth yet. Kittens still spend most of their days nursing and sleeping but are able to crawl around in a cute wobbly fashion. Kittens receive their very first nail trimming!
Week 3: Vision and hearing are improving. Their teeth have started to come in and they are learning how to retract their nails. Their legs have gotten stronger and they're able to move around with a lot more confidence. Week 3 is when we deworm kittens for the first time. 
Week 4: Kittens have been introduced to the litter box! They are now playing and exploring with ease. Their grooming skills have begun but are not yet perfected, they still rely heavily on their mom to keep them clean. Their nails are now fully retractable and new teeth are coming in. 
Week 5: Kittens are developing crucial social skills. They are being offered wet food this week. They get their very first water bowl (filled with purified water, we don't use tap water) They have almost always perfected litter training by this age. They can now regulate their body temperature, no more heating pad! Kittens are introduced to light brushing this week.
Week 6: 2nd dose of deworming is given this week. Kittens are now play fighting and exploring confidently. They have graduated from their own room with mama and are now in a whelping area in our kitchen. For the next two weeks they will stay in this area to get used to all the new noises, smells and foot traffic. Moistened kibble is introduced this week. 
Week 7: Kittens are now confident in their new area. Relying less on mom and eating lots. Kibble is offered without being moistened this week. They are now getting daily treats as well, we use Feline natural freeze dried lamb tripe. 
Week 8: First health exam and FVRCP vaccine is done this week. Kittens are given 24 hours to settle after receiving their vaccine and then are introduced to the entire household. No restrictions. They are being introduced to teeth brushing this week.
Week 9: 3rd dose of deworming has been given. Kittens are continuing to grow and flourish. 
Week 10: Grooming sessions have begun regularly (fur and teeth)
Week 11: Between the 11th and 12th week the kittens are given their second FVRCP vaccine.
Week 12: Spay/neuter week has arrived! Kittens have 2 days of pain meds after surgery and we keep a close eye on them making sure no one plays too rough. Their 4th and final deworming takes place at the end of this week. 
Week 13: It's almost time to go home, they're packing their bags and saying their good byes.
Week 14: They are off to their new families, be safe and happy sweet babies, we'll miss you!!

Important things to keep in mind:
Kittens can fit into hard to clean areas of your home. It is not uncommon for the insides/corners of their nostrils to have some black buildup. This is just dirt, please gently wipe out your kittens nose whenever you see this. Sleep can accumulate in the corners of their eyes too, just like people. Keep their eyes cleaned out but remember that lynx kittens have naturally dark corners of their eyes, make sure it’s not just their pattern before you start cleaning. 
If you are going to change their kibble, please do so, slowly and over the course of at least a week. Canned food/new proteins should be introduced very slowly.