Kittens are small young kittens. The age of small kittens is up to six months old to call them a kitten.
Puss is pregnant with a kitten
A cat’s gestation period lasts an average of 63 days. On the 32nd day, a cat’s gestation can be determined. On day 42 it is possible to do an abdominal palpation. This involves touching and patting the cat’s abdomen to see if all is well with the kitten. The young kitten can also be viewed with an ultrasound. This can be done starting on day 35. An ultrasound is more reliable than an abdominal palpation.
The birth of a kitten
When a cat’s gestation period is over, she starts to prepare for labor. First come the contractions. These last about 12 hours on average. However, this can be longer or shorter. The contractions slowly drive the kittens to the cervix which is at the beginning of the birth canal. Then the cervix opens slowly. Through the cervix, the kitten enters the birth canal: the pelvis. During the contractions, the kittens are finally ejected one by one. In a normal delivery, the cat licks the kittens clean and bites through the umbilical cord.
The socialization process of kittens
The socialization process of young kittens are initiated when the kittens are between four and 12 weeks old. The young kitten is now learning to get along with other animals and with people. Love and correction from the mother cat are very important. Touching by people such as lifting and petting teaches kittens to get along and accept people at an early age. Playing with other kittens and other housemates is important for the kittens’ social skills.
Inoculating kittens
When kittens are about 9 weeks old, it is time to vaccinate against feline and sneezing disease. At 12 weeks, this vaccination is repeated. To maintain immunity, another booster vaccination follows around the 16th week.
Kittens for sale
To offer young cats for sale, they should first learn to interact with littermates and experience love and correction from their mother. It is advisable not to let young kittens go to new owners too soon. Breeders and pedigree cats do not let kittens go to their new owners until three months of age. This is in accordance with association regulations. Social skills are mostly learned by then and full immunity is up to par due to repeated vaccinations.
Animal shelter
Can’t manage to sell your cats or house them somewhere? Then bring them to an animal shelter near you.