Many new cat parents wonder if newborn kittens are easy to raise. The answer depends on how much time and effort you want to dedicate to your new kitten. Luckily, with the right amount of attention and care, young kittens are easier to raise than a lot of other pets, so for most people, yes, kittens are easy to raise.
Kittens between two and four months of age should only be left alone four to six hours at a time, not a full workday. When they're a little older, around six months, you can be gone all day. But they'll certainly be happier if you can check in on them at lunchtime or ask a friend to stop by.
Cats are juniors until the age of 2, and like human children, may start to show a different temperament between 6 months and 2 years old, even progressing from the (sometimes) defiant 'Terrible Two's' to becoming a stroppy teenager!
Kittens are very time consuming, and while it's rewarding to watch them grow and develop it also takes a lot of hard work. Sometimes, you might find that adopting a more mature, independent adult cat actually suits you better.
Taking home just one kitten may seem like a good idea—but a lonely kitten can be a real “cat-tastrophe” for felines and humans alike. Single Kitten Syndrome is the reason that, like many other organizations, we ask for kittens under 6 months to go home in pairs.
Single kitten syndrome is the idea that young kittens, when raised with other young kittens and cats and then adopted into a home by themselves, can become aggressive, anxious, stressed, and even develop behavioral issues like inappropriate chewing/scratching and inappropriately using the litterbox.
What is “Fading Kitten Syndrome”? Fading kitten syndrome, sometimes referred as “failure to thrive”, describes a kitten that “crashes”, suddenly becoming ill or unresponsive, even if it was previously healthy.
Where should my kitten sleep on the first night? In the first few nights, have your kitten close to you in a warm and cosy spot next to your bed. Kittens like to feel sheltered and secure so putting them above the ground, if possible, can also make them feel safer.
This means that the best place for a kitten to sleep is a warm and secure spot, sheltered from draughts. It's not a bad idea to have the kitten close to you for just the first few nights. Find a cosy place next to your bed and you can even choose a spot up off the floor if possible.
Intensive growth 2-4 months. This is the naughty stage of the kitten development chart when your kittens start to show their true colours! An important stage in kitten growth, the personalities of your kitties will come forth during this time making it one of the most endearing stages of kitten development.
They should stay with their mothers until they're around 8-9 weeks (taking them away earlier than this can lead to problems with their behaviour). A kitten should be sociable and alert, with bright eyes and no visible health problems.
The sensitive period for such learning to occur in cats is between 2 – 7 weeks of age. During this time period, owners can engineer all kinds of useful friendships between animals of the same or different species. As many owners already know, cats don't just bond to their moms or to their human owners.
As tempting as it may be, avoid letting your kitten sleep on your bed or with the kids. As well as being dangerous for your kitten, cats carry some diseases that can be transmitted to humans. To avoid injury, it's best to keep your kitten in a secure space while you're both sleeping.
When you arrive at home, place the kitten and carrier in a small, quiet room in the house away from traffic. Open the door of the carrier and allow the cat some time to come out willingly. Place fresh water, food, and a litter box near the entrance of the carrier. Allow the kitty to come and go at will.
Most felines will be perfectly content being left alone for up to 8 hours while you're at work. As long as fresh water is available, some cats can be left alone for up to 24 hours. However, longer or more frequent periods of time away, such as full days or nights away from home can be more disruptive.
In conclusion, when your cat meows at night, you must ignore it completely and perfectly in order not to encourage the behaviour. Keeping the cat busy at night may prevent it from getting hungry or finding creative ways of getting your attention.
There is nothing cruel in putting a kitten to bed in a cosy, warm and secure environment (such as the kitten cage) until you wake in the morning, but the location and type of bed are important to ensure a stress-free night.
Kittens are often very anxious during their first night and it's normal for them to cry during the following two or three nights too. Here are some tips to help your kitten relax. For their health and well-being, kittens need a lot of sleep in a quiet place where they can relax and feel secure.
For some kittens, this settling in period might be over within hours, while for others it could take days or even weeks. For very timid cats, the process could even take 4 to 6 weeks. Just rest assured that this is normal, and be patient.
Some kittens enjoy being held and being near your heart. Picking up your kitten and holding them to help them feel safe and loved is a big part of bonding. ”If your kitten isn't used to being held, start off holding for a short time and then put her down before she starts to squirm.
Causes of early death in kittens are attributed to complications pre-birth, during birth, around the weaning period, or even issues with the mother alone or the environment.
Hypoxia (lack of oxygen), trauma, hypothermia – kittens born after difficult birthing (dystocia) have a higher risk of death and this may be the most significant cause of early deaths. This results from lack of oxygen (hypoxia) and/or trauma.
Fading kitten syndrome is unlikely to hit kittens that are older than nine weeks of age. At that point, kittens suffering from FKS will either have succumbed to the illness(es), or they will go on to live happy and healthy lives. Vets will usually not consider Fading Kitten Syndrome 12 weeks and beyond.