Mary Allen
It is always said that autumn cats are more vulnerable and sickly than spring cats. Is that correct? And why is this the case? Here you can find out everything about the factors of the seasons when raising kittens
Cats can give birth to offspring two or three times a year. So it is quite logical that one or the other litter is not born in spring but only in autumn. However, fall kittens have a reputation for being more sickly than spring kitties.
Where Does The Myth Of Autumn Kittens Come From?
Newborn cats are not yet able to keep their heat balance constant and are therefore not able to adapt to the unfavorable climatic conditions that prevail in autumn, such as cold, wet, ness, and wind. In addition, finding food for the mother cat is more difficult in autumn than in spring.
These unfavorable factors weaken the kittens so that they are less able to defend themselves against diseases than kittens born in spring. These grow up under better climatic conditions, can learn to hunt themselves and the mother animals have a rich supply of food at their disposal. This gave rise to the myth that falls kittens are generally more susceptible to disease.
How Contemporary Is The Fall Kitten Myth?
However, the fact that autumn kittens are more susceptible to diseases applies “, especially to kittens that grow up outside without human help and care, from cat mothers who have to raise the second or third litter of the year alone,” explains veterinarian Sabine Schroll.
For kittens that grow up in human care in a “well looked after home”, the season of their birth is, therefore, irrelevant, as the cat expert explains: “They have it safe and warm, food and a relaxed mother.” The myth of autumn kittens is therefore unfounded in the case of cats in human care.
Because with house or apartment cats, nutrition, care, and care by humans are the same in summer and winter, so there is no longer any seasonal difference in the development of the young animals. Autumn cats are more susceptible to disease than spring cats only if…
- … they are not fed properly
- … they do not receive adequate veterinary care
- … they are kept outdoors all year round without a warm place to sleep
Buying Autumn Kittens: Are There Any Special Features?
So there are no differences between spring and autumn kittens. According to veterinarian Sabine Schroll, the same rules apply to the purchase of autumn kittens as to spring cats: According to the veterinarian, the same things should be observed “as with all other kittens”:
The Health Of The Kittens
- Weight and development control at the vet
- good kitten socialization
Buying fall kittens as a Christmas present is not a good idea. This often happens quickly and thoughtlessly and the kittens often end up in the animal shelter after a short time. As with any cat, you should think carefully before buying a cat, because buying a cat means years or decades of responsibility.