| Just like having a child, it can be incredibly fulfilling | | | | really fast. You'll need to get them in to be |
| bringing a kitten into your family and watching it grow | | | | vaccinated at this time so that they are healthy and |
| up. It takes only a year for your cute little kitten to | | | | strong. They will begin to learn what they have to do |
| mature into a cat. It can seem hard to believe but it | | | | to live with their families and learn which behaviors |
| will happen fast. Being prepared is the goal here. So | | | | are okay. You can teach your kitten his name as well |
| what are the key milestones for a young cat? | | | | as a few simple commands now. If the cat has long |
| The First Moments | | | | hair, make sure to get him used to allowing you to |
| Kittens are born blind and they are completely | | | | groom him, although the cat's coat doesn't need to |
| dependant on their mother. The first stages will | | | | be brushed just yet. |
| involve learning to eat and then growing. The kitten's | | | | Sometimes, cats will suddenly develop a bad attitude. |
| eyes will open and he will want to explore. At four | | | | Believe it or not this is an adolescent stage for them. |
| weeks old, he is romping around shakily with his | | | | This happens when the cat goes from being a kitten |
| siblings. At this time he can begin to learn to use the | | | | into being a mature cat. Sounds just like children, |
| litter box and should start to become a social animal. | | | | right? This will happen around the fifth to six month |
| In the wild, the kitten's mother will start to | | | | and may last until the cat reaches a year old. They |
| supplement his diet with dead mice and other small | | | | will still be playful but may get carried away to play |
| pretty. But, you may want to give him some soft | | | | too aggressively. If your cat is not neutered at six |
| kitten food or some dry food that is softened a little | | | | months of age, he will be mature enough to |
| with water. | | | | reproduce now. Neutering the cat will help this stage |
| Six Weeks | | | | of his development go more smoothly. At six |
| He's now six weeks old and he is more than ready to | | | | months, the cat looks the way he will look as an |
| explore the home. If he's indoors, he will move from | | | | adult even though he may still become larger. |
| room to room. A feral kitten will follow his mother | | | | Adulthood |
| when she goes to hang out with the other cats. | | | | Just like humans, adult cats will continue to go |
| These cats will still receive mice from their mother, | | | | through stages. But, these stages can be dealt with |
| but they aren't dead anymore. Instead, the kitten | | | | quite easily. And, unlike that mid life crisis you may |
| has to learn to hunt the animal. Those who are eight | | | | have, the cat isn't likely to go out to purchase a |
| weeks old will be completely weaned from their | | | | sports car at this age! |
| mother and are ready to go to a new home. | | | | If you take care of your kitten's health as he grows |
| The Next Months | | | | into an adult cat you will have a fulfilling relationship |
| Through the next several months, the cats will grow | | | | that will bring both you and the cat great satisfaction. |