11th & 12th week:
Most kittens are weaned or nearly fully and have had adequate socialization with mother and siblings.
Noises of a busy household are now pretty common to them... Yes, vacuum cleaners can be very scary to
a kitten, so we do our best at getting them accustomed to everyday household noises. At twelve weeks
they have received their second set of kitten shots. We are continuing our constantly handling and
socializing the kittens and they have learned to explore their world and will meet it with a happy, outgoing
confidence that will carry them throughout their lifetime.
This is our favorite time with the kittens, watching them grow and investigating new things. Sitting back
watching a litter of kittens play consists of constant laughter and entertainment...
Especially when a new toy is introduced, Bengals are hilarious!
Weaning:
Why do we have to wait so long?
It is true that kittens that are separated at a young age from their mothers will often
bond to a person as a surrogate mother. This may seem cute, but it can become
unhealthy. Such kittens will often suck on an array of objects like blankets, clothing
even earlobes or on themselves. They may become dependent upon humans to the
point that they become fearful or neurotic when left alone. Many hide or run at the
sight of unknown people. Most commonly, however, cats that are deprived of
proper socialization do not learn how to be with other cats. This makes them
especially inappropriate as house pets in a multicat household. Some kittens
will grow out of it and some do not.
The kitten socialization phase starts at about four weeks of age and can continue until up to fourteen
weeks old. Kittens learn to explore their world through this period, under the comforting guidance of their
mother. Between nine and fourteen weeks old, they learn from their mother and siblings how to interact
with other cats. They learn how to recognize and interpret cat body language. Quite literally, a cat that
misses out on this important social step may not learn how to "talk" to other cats
Weaning is not just a matter of getting a kitten to eat solid food. It is a very crucial and detrimental time for
the kitten. They begin to assert their own independence from its mother, which needs to be a gradual
process. We do not want you receiving one of our kittens, and it meowing for its mother. They typically
settle right in to their new environment.
Kittens weaned too young might have an array of issues ranging from eating and
behavioral problems to litter box issues. Young kittens that are placed too young
into a new environment might become very stressed, thus causing diarrhea. This
can pose a very serious, detrimental issue since kittens can become quite dehydrated
very, very quickly!
The important thing to remember is this: it should be the kitten's current and future
well-being that drives the decision of age to place, not finances or a simple desire to
have a younger kitten for whatever reason.
Kittenhood is a fleeting time. You will have a kitten only for a short time, but the cat may be with you for
many years to come. You may find it personally disappointing to allow a kitten an extra month or two with
its mother when you had hoped to have it earlier, but it will make a world of difference to the mental,
emotional, and physical health to the kitten throughout its entire life. If you are searching for a pet through
a shelter, you may not have an option. If you are getting a kitten through an acquaintance or through a
breeder, insist on at least twelve weeks for the kitten's health. You will have a healthier, happier, and better
socialized feline friend because of it!
Most kittens are weaned or nearly fully and have had adequate socialization with mother and siblings.
Noises of a busy household are now pretty common to them... Yes, vacuum cleaners can be very scary to
a kitten, so we do our best at getting them accustomed to everyday household noises. At twelve weeks
they have received their second set of kitten shots. We are continuing our constantly handling and
socializing the kittens and they have learned to explore their world and will meet it with a happy, outgoing
confidence that will carry them throughout their lifetime.
This is our favorite time with the kittens, watching them grow and investigating new things. Sitting back
watching a litter of kittens play consists of constant laughter and entertainment...
Especially when a new toy is introduced, Bengals are hilarious!
Weaning:
Why do we have to wait so long?
It is true that kittens that are separated at a young age from their mothers will often
bond to a person as a surrogate mother. This may seem cute, but it can become
unhealthy. Such kittens will often suck on an array of objects like blankets, clothing
even earlobes or on themselves. They may become dependent upon humans to the
point that they become fearful or neurotic when left alone. Many hide or run at the
sight of unknown people. Most commonly, however, cats that are deprived of
proper socialization do not learn how to be with other cats. This makes them
especially inappropriate as house pets in a multicat household. Some kittens
will grow out of it and some do not.
The kitten socialization phase starts at about four weeks of age and can continue until up to fourteen
weeks old. Kittens learn to explore their world through this period, under the comforting guidance of their
mother. Between nine and fourteen weeks old, they learn from their mother and siblings how to interact
with other cats. They learn how to recognize and interpret cat body language. Quite literally, a cat that
misses out on this important social step may not learn how to "talk" to other cats
Weaning is not just a matter of getting a kitten to eat solid food. It is a very crucial and detrimental time for
the kitten. They begin to assert their own independence from its mother, which needs to be a gradual
process. We do not want you receiving one of our kittens, and it meowing for its mother. They typically
settle right in to their new environment.
Kittens weaned too young might have an array of issues ranging from eating and
behavioral problems to litter box issues. Young kittens that are placed too young
into a new environment might become very stressed, thus causing diarrhea. This
can pose a very serious, detrimental issue since kittens can become quite dehydrated
very, very quickly!
The important thing to remember is this: it should be the kitten's current and future
well-being that drives the decision of age to place, not finances or a simple desire to
have a younger kitten for whatever reason.
Kittenhood is a fleeting time. You will have a kitten only for a short time, but the cat may be with you for
many years to come. You may find it personally disappointing to allow a kitten an extra month or two with
its mother when you had hoped to have it earlier, but it will make a world of difference to the mental,
emotional, and physical health to the kitten throughout its entire life. If you are searching for a pet through
a shelter, you may not have an option. If you are getting a kitten through an acquaintance or through a
breeder, insist on at least twelve weeks for the kitten's health. You will have a healthier, happier, and better
socialized feline friend because of it!
| Kitten Information |
1st week: Kittens are nursing every couple of hours, staying very close to mom! The
milk produced by the queen in the first hours following delivery contains colostrum,
which is rich in protective antibodies that can defend a kitten against illness during the
first three months of life!
2nd week: Kittens eyes are starting to open!
All newborns are born with blue eyes, and
will change with age regardless of what color
they will be as adults.
3rd week: Kittens are starting to explore around
their box and sometimes out of it. Still nursing
well and huddling in a cute little ball when
sleeping.
4th week: Kittens are getting around quite well by now,
starting to play with each other. At this time they usually start venturing to moms food
bowl.
5th & 6th week: Playing very well now especially with each other! They are venturing
out, exploring their new surroundings and becoming pretty confident. We start them
on what mom is already eating -Royal Canin Baby Cat & boiled chicken. They are now
nursing less frequently and using the litter box quite well.
7th-12th week: Very confident of their surroundings by now, nursing on mom less and
less… They are also becoming very independent and developing their unique and
different personalities. Mom has already stared the weaning process herself, of course
moms know best :) We tend to let the moms wean her kittens instinctively herself.
milk produced by the queen in the first hours following delivery contains colostrum,
which is rich in protective antibodies that can defend a kitten against illness during the
first three months of life!
2nd week: Kittens eyes are starting to open!
All newborns are born with blue eyes, and
will change with age regardless of what color
they will be as adults.
3rd week: Kittens are starting to explore around
their box and sometimes out of it. Still nursing
well and huddling in a cute little ball when
sleeping.
4th week: Kittens are getting around quite well by now,
starting to play with each other. At this time they usually start venturing to moms food
bowl.
5th & 6th week: Playing very well now especially with each other! They are venturing
out, exploring their new surroundings and becoming pretty confident. We start them
on what mom is already eating -Royal Canin Baby Cat & boiled chicken. They are now
nursing less frequently and using the litter box quite well.
7th-12th week: Very confident of their surroundings by now, nursing on mom less and
less… They are also becoming very independent and developing their unique and
different personalities. Mom has already stared the weaning process herself, of course
moms know best :) We tend to let the moms wean her kittens instinctively herself.
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| What to expect when you’re expecting! By: Melissa Ford, If you would like to use this just Please ask! Thanks :) |
| "Dali" Aston x Leila |
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| Here is a bit of incite into about what your new kitten is doing. We also help explain why it’s so important to wean kittens at 11-12 weeks of age. We love and care for each kitten, therefore; their health is 1st priority, ensuring they have a very smooth transition into their new homes. |
