Mary Allen
Although their steps still look very clumsy and they only walk very short distances, by the time most kittens are five weeks old, they have developed to the point where they are quite stable on their feet. However, their ability to move is only really well developed when they are six weeks old. In addition, the kittens can do a lot more during this time.
Growth & Development: Kittens 5 to 6 Weeks Old
The little velvet paws are not only starting to walk, but their teeth are also so far developed that they start eating cat food and only occasionally drink from their mother. In this development phase, kittens have to absorb almost a third of their nutritional requirements from suitable kitten food.
They learn how to eat from a bowl by observing their mother cat. The same applies to using the litter box: the youngsters are now slowly getting used to that too. And they are also becoming more and more independent when it comes to cleaning.
The baby cats are also changing a lot visually: they weigh between around 225 and 450 grams and their light blue eye color is now slowly changing to the color that the cat will keep for the rest of its life. Now the cat is ready to gradually learn its first little lessons and discover the world.
In the sixth week of life, kittens are in the first phase of socialization. Now it is time for their people to slowly get used to the most diverse everyday noises and situations. For example, you should practice opening their mouths and having their eyes and ears checked with your kittens. This is how it works later with the examination at the veterinarian. The little house tigers can now also slowly be brought into contact with other people and animals.
Not Only the Weight Increases: 7th & 8th Week of the Life of a Baby Cat
At this age, little cats learn a lot. With their siblings, they go on short discovery tours for the first time and enjoy a lot of cat training under their cat mother’s wing, testing what they can and can’t do.
From now on they will play as much as they can and with a weight of up to 900 grams and fully developed milk teeth, the four-legged friends already look like real little cats. So that the kittens can train their coordination and their small muscles, you should provide them with as much secure space as possible during this time in which they can romp around safely. In this way, you support the healthy development of the kittens.
From the eighth week of life, your kitten’s development slowly enters the youth phase. It is becoming increasingly independent of its mother, both in terms of the range of motion and behavior.
The house tigers are already interacting a lot with people and are slowly getting ready to move to their loving new home. However, this should take place no earlier than when the cat is twelve weeks old.