HOW OLD AM I ?

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Weight: 50-150 grams (1.764 - 5.291 ounces)

An average birth weight for kittens is about 99.22 grams (3 ½ ounces), depending on breed and litter size. During the first weeks of life, a kitten's body weight may double or even triple. Gaining ¼ to 1/2 an ounce daily until they are weaned is considered healthy.

Teeth - None

Eyes will be closed – they cannot see.  Navigation accomplished by scent and by seeking warmth and comfort.

Ears will be folded – they cannot hear

•  The kittens’ ear canals open when they are between 5 and 8 days old.

 Umbilical cord 

• From 0-1 days is attached and wet
• From 1-5 days is attached and dry
• Around 4-5 days the kitten will naturally lose the umbilical cord. Never attempt to remove, allow it to fall off on its own.

Body

Nose and paws appear pink in color . Claws are non-retractable

Temperature of 95-97 degrees, which will go up to 100 degrees during the first week. It is critical to keep the kitten warm and stable. 

• The kitten's environment should be between 85 and 90 degrees.
• Kittens chill easily, which is life-threatening. From the moment you find them, keep the kittens warm - watch for chilling (listless and cool to the touch). 
• If you have nothing else, use your own body heat to warm up a cold kitten, and rub her gently to aid circulation. 
• Do not bottle feed until the kittens have completely warmed up. 
• Once home, build a soft nest with a heating pad that is completely covered with a blanket or towel. Make sure that kittens can move away from the heat if they want. 
• Change bedding daily or when the kittens have accidents.
•  A kitten can chill if wet, so never submerge kittens in water. If a kitten needs to be cleaned, wash only certain parts of its body with a warm washcloth. Be sure to always fully dry 

FEEDING:

The first 48 hours critical for obtaining maternal antibodies through nursing. During these hours, a nursing mother can pass immunity to her kitten through colostrum, which will help the kitten fight illness. Without the colostrum kittens will be more vulnerable to disease and infection.

NOTE: If the kitten is an orphan, suggest that powdered KMR is mixed in graduating ratios of water to KMR to ease the kitten’s transition from its mother to bottle feeding. This is done to prevent diarrhea, which commonly occurs whenever there is a change to a kitten’s diet. 

· The first four feedings are at a ratio of 8:1, eight parts water to one part powdered KMR. 

· The second four feedings are at a ratio of 4:1, four parts water to one part powdered KMR. 

· All other bottle feedings are at a ratio of 2:1, two parts water to one part powdered KMR. 

PROBIOTIC – (Bene-Bac Plus Pet Gel)

It is not uncommon for orphaned kittens to develop diarrhea. The diarrhea could be from stress, infectious disease or from digestive upset from dietary changes. Make sure the kitten has been examined by a veterinarian to treat any infectious problems. Giving probiotics may help normalize an orphaned kitten’s intestinal flora while they are recovering from diarrhea. It may also help prevent or reduce the severity of diarrhea from dietary changes and stress.

Bene-Bac Plus Pet Gel is recommended for mammals subjected to adverse conditions (hand-fed orphans) Give 0.1 cc twice daily if the kittens are newborn to about 5 days, then 0.2 cc twice daily to about 10 days.

If the kitten is still bottle-feeding you can give the probiotic orally before or after feeding.

 Bottle Feeding   – amount per feeding is roughly  (.04ml x’s kitten weight in grams = ml per feeding ) 

 2 oz (57 g ) – needs approx. 15 ml formula/day – 2 ml per feeding

3 oz (85 g ) – needs approx. 23 ml formula/day - 3 ml per feeding 

4 oz (113 g) - needs approx. 31 ml formula/day - 6 ml per feeding

•  Feed every 2 hours including overnight.   Kittens will also need to be stimulated to go to the bathroom.  
• Does not have a gag reflex. It is critical to feed very slowly and with extreme caution.
• Kitten and Puppy Bottle Feeding Problems and Solutions Chart
•  Kitten Bottle Feeding and Stomach Capacity Chart 

Weight:142-227 grams (4.00 – 8.00 ounces)

The kitten should double its birth weight (it might even triple). Its size is smaller than an average hand.

Teeth - none

Eyes 

• Will be closed, at around 8-12 days, the eyes will slowly begin start to open, though still unfocused
• Never attempt to pry open a kitten's  eyes, let them open naturally.
• All kittens will be born with baby  blue eyes, which will change to their adult eye color as they age.

Ear canals will slowly begin to open, between 5 and 8 days old. May begin to respond to sounds as ear canals open 

Umbilical cord has fallen off by this time.

Behavior – Kittens will become increasingly aware of their surroundings, but will huddle together for warmth and comfort and rarely venture far from either their mother, their nest, or each other. They still sleep most of the time. 

Body 

Temperature should go up to 100 degrees during the first week. One week old kittens cannot regulate body temperature. It is critical to provide a gentle heat source to keep the kitten warm and stable. 

• The kitten's environment should be between 85 and 90 degrees.
• Kittens chill easily, which is life-threatening. From the moment you find them, keep the kittens warm and watch for chilling (listless and cool to the touch). 
• If you have nothing else, use your own body heat to warm up a cold kitten, and rub her gently to aid circulation. 
• Do not bottle feed until the kittens have completely warmed up. 
• Once home, build a soft nest with a heating pad that is completely covered with a blanket or towel. Make sure that kittens can move away from the heat if they want. 
• Change bedding daily or when the kittens have accidents.
• A kitten can chill if wet, so never submerge kittens in water. If a kitten needs to be cleaned, wash only certain parts of its body with a warm washcloth. Be sure to always fully dry them

FEEDING:

NOTE: If the kitten is an orphan, suggest that powdered KMR is mixed in graduating ratios of water to KMR to ease the kitten’s transition from its mother to bottle feeding. This is done to prevent diarrhea, which commonly occurs whenever there is a change to a kitten’s diet. 

· The first four feedings are at a ratio of 8:1, eight parts water to one part powdered KMR. 

· The second four feedings are at a ratio of 4:1, four parts water to one part powdered KMR. 

· All other bottle feedings are at a ratio of 2:1, two parts water to one part powdered KMR. 

PROBIOTIC – (Bene-Bac Plus Pet Gel)

It is not uncommon for orphaned kittens to develop diarrhea. The diarrhea could be from stress, infectious disease or from digestive upset from dietary changes. Make sure the kitten has been examined by a veterinarian to treat any infectious problems. Giving probiotics may help normalize an orphaned kitten’s intestinal flora while they are recovering from diarrhea. It may also help prevent or reduce the severity of diarrhea from dietary changes and stress.

Bene-Bac Plus Pet Gel is recommended for mammals subjected to adverse conditions (hand-fed orphans) Give 0.1 cc twice daily if the kittens are newborn to about 5 days, then 0.2 cc twice daily to about 10 days. Then 0.3 cc twice daily to 3 weeks, then cut back to 0.3 cc once daily until eating solid food and stools remain normal.

Feeding with a Mom:

• Kittens will sleep 90% of the time and nurse from their mother the other 10%. They should nurse vigorously and littermates should compete for nipples.
• Kittens can nurse for up to 45 minutes at a time.  Make sure every kitten is nursing and there is not too much maneuvering for position. A great deal of activity and crying could indicate a problem with milk flow or quality. When the mother cat re-enters the box, there should be fussing for only a few minutes .

Bottle Feeding  - amount per feeding is roughly  (.04ml x’s kitten weight in grams = ml per feeding )

5 oz (142 g ) – needs approx. 38 ml formula/day – 6 ml per feeding

6 oz (170 g ) – needs approx. 46 ml formula/day - 7 ml per feeding 

7 oz (198 g) - needs approx. 54 ml formula/day - 8 ml per feeding

8 oz (227 g ) – needs approx. 61 ml formula/day - 9 ml per feeding 

9 oz (255 g) - needs approx. 69 ml formula/day - 10 ml per feeding

•  Feed every 2-3  hours including overnight.   Kittens will also need to be stimulated to go to the bathroom.  
•  Kitten and Puppy Bottle Feeding Problems and Solutions Chart  
•  Kitten Bottle Feeding and Stomach Capacity Chart 

 Average weight: 250 – 350 grams (8.82 – 12,67 ounces)

• Weight gain – Around 7-10 grams (approximately 1/4 – 1/2 ounce) per day. By the end of the second week, they should weigh approximately 300 grams (10.5 ounces).

Teeth – The baby (deciduous) incisors erupt. These are the small teeth at the front of the mouth.  This usually occurs at 2 to 3 weeks of age.  

Eyes : 

•  The kittens’ eyes will open between 8 and 12 days. They open gradually, usually starting from the nose outward. All kittens have blue eyes at this stage. 
• Short-haired cats’ eyes usually open earlier than those with longer hair. 
• Vision is not very good at this stage.  
• The kitten’s pupils don’t dilate and contract efficiently, so avoid bright light. 
• Young kittens are vulnerable to eye infections, so keep a watch for crustiness or white/yellow secretions.

Ears - will be open and the ears will be small and rounded, like a baby bear cub

Smell 

The sense of smell is developing and they will often have a preference for a particular nipple. They will hiss at unfamiliar scents or sounds. 

Behavior – 

• Kittens become more aware of their surroundings and will start to interact more with each other, but they will still spend most of their time asleep. 
• They will start to play. 
• They will be wobbly on their feet and attempt to develop coordination and movement.
• They will knead with their paws, though they cannot retract their claws yet.

Body temperature 

• Two week old kittens still cannot regulate body temperature. During this time it is critical to provide a gentle heat source to keep the kitten warm and stable.
• The floor temperature of the box should be about 80-85 degrees. 

Feeding with a Mom:

Make sure every kitten is nursing and there is not too much maneuvering for position. A great deal of activity and crying could indicate a problem with milk flow or quality. When the mother cat re-enters the box, there should be fussing for only a few minutes before the kittens settle down.

Bottle Feeding 

   7 oz (198 g) - needs approx. 54 ml formula/day - 8 ml per feeding

  8 oz (227 g ) – needs approx. 61 ml formula/day - 9 ml per feeding 

  9 oz (255 g) - needs approx. 69 ml formula/day - 10 ml per feeding 

10 oz (283 g ) – needs approx. 77 ml formula/day - 11 ml per feeding 

11 oz (312 g) - needs approx. 84 ml formula/day - 12 ml per feeding

12 oz (340 g ) – needs approx. 92 ml formula/day - 14 ml per feeding 

  Feed every 3-4 hours including overnight.   Kittensy will also need to be stimulated to go to the bathroom. 

•  Kitten and Puppy Bottle Feeding Problems and Solutions Chart
• Kitten Bottle Feeding and Stomach Capacity Chart   

  Weight 

They should weigh approximately around 340 - 425 grams (approximately 12 – 15 ounces)

Teeth 

• The first baby teeth to appear are the incisors. This usually occurs at 2 to 3 weeks of age. 
• The appearance of the incisors are followed by the canine teeth at 3 to 4 weeks of age and then the premolars at 3 to 6 weeks. The last premolar appears at around six weeks of age. 

Eyes: True color begins to show

Ears - By three weeks, ears will begin to stand erect, and their sense of hearing continues to develop.

Behavior 

• Some kittens will try to walk and explore their surroundings.  Kittens generally  can usually stand by day 21.
• By three weeks, kittens become more aware of their littermates.  They will begin to play with each other, 
• Some kittens may begin to purr.
• Toileting – The kittens may defecate on their own at this stage, the mother will still clean up their waste.
• The kittens should now be spending only 60-70 percent of their time sleeping.
• Kittens learn to sit, and will start trying to touch objects with their paws.
• During week 3, kittens should begin their socialization phase. Start to increase the amount of handling the kittens receive and try to accustom them to human contact. Avoid exposing them to anything frightening.

Body temperature 

• Three week old kittens still require a heat source, but will be more active and may stray from it when not sleeping. 
• The floor temperature of the nest box should be between 73- 80 degrees.

Feeding with a Mom: The mother will begin to spend more time out of the box.

Bottle Feeding 

  12 oz (340 g ) – needs approx. 92 ml formula/day - 14 ml per feeding 

13 oz (369 g) - needs approx. 100 ml formula/day - 15 ml per feeding

14 oz (397 g ) – needs approx. 107 ml formula/day - 16 ml per feeding 

15 oz (425 g) - needs approx. 115 ml formula/day - 17 ml per feeding

16 oz (454 g) - needs approx. 123 ml formula/day - 18 ml per feeding

• Every 4-5 hours, maybe overnight (do not wake to feed). 
• They will be transitioning from being stimulated to go to the bathroom to learning how to use the litterbox.
•  Kitten and Puppy Bottle Feeding Problems and Solutions Chart  
• Kitten Bottle Feeding and Stomach Capacity Chart 

Weight 

 Around 425- 567 grams (approximately 15 – 20 ounces) 

Teeth 

The kitten's teeth will continue to develop. The long tooth next to the incisors, called the canine, will start to come through the gums

Eyes : 

• Adult eye color will begin to appear, although it may not be final for another 9 to 12 weeks. 
•   Iris is usually a gray-blue color that gradually changes to adult color by 4 to 6 weeks of age.   
• The kittens will begin to develop complete sound and sight orientation.

Behavior  

Four week old kittens will be confidently exploring and developing more coordination that allows them to walk, run, and  play.

Body temperature 

• Continue providing a heat source, although they will likely use it only when resting. 
• The kitten's environment should stay comfortably warm and never colder than 70-75 degrees.

Feeding with a Mom:

• Kittens can begin to eat from a shallow saucer and should be weaned gradually from their mother’s milk. The mother cat will usually begin to discourage her kittens from nursing; however, some cats (particularly those with smaller litters) will allow nursing until the kittens are around two months old.
• Sometimes, nursing activity is done just for comfort. Even if the kittens appear to be nursing, they may not be receiving all the nutrition they need. Make sure they are eating and gaining weight.
• Kittens will begin to clean themselves, although their mother will continue to do most of the serious cleaning.

Bottle Feeding 

15 oz (425 g) - needs approx. 115 ml formula/day - 17 ml per feeding

16 oz (454 g) - needs approx. 123 ml formula/day - 18 ml per feeding

17 oz (482 g) - needs approx. 130 ml formula/day - 19 ml per feeding

18 oz (510 g) - needs approx. 138 ml formula/day - 20 ml per feeding

19 oz (539 g) - needs approx. 146 ml formula/day - 22 ml per feeding

20 oz (567 g) - needs approx. 153 ml formula/day - 23 ml per feeding

• Every 5-6 hours,  maybe overnight (do not wake to feed). 
• At this time, kittens will begin eliminating on their own. Supply a small, low litter box and fill it with non-clumping litter. Do NOT use the clumping variety; it is harmful if ingested.
•  Kitten and Puppy Bottle Feeding Problems and Solutions Chart  
• Kitten Bottle Feeding and Stomach Capacity Chart  

Diet

• At four weeks, you can slowly start introducing canned food. Mix a little warm water with the canned food and place it in a dish with low sides. You can warm the food in the microwave for about six seconds. Make sure to stir the food and test it with your finger. Do not give hot food to kittens.
• Continue to bottle feed until you are certain they are eating well on their own. Begin offering hard kitten kibble in a separate bowl at this age as well.

Young animals that have been separated from their mothers too soon often lack the instinct to eat from a bowl and need some encouragement. Here are some tips: 

1. Watering food down, heating it up slightly and offering it directly to their lips with your finger or a spoon may sometimes give them the idea. 
2. If the kittens do not seem interested in canned kitten food, try canned chicken or tuna juice. Pouring the liquid from canned chicken or tuna onto other types of food will often work. Add more water to the can, refrigerate it and you’ll have more “juice” ready for next time. 
3. Chicken or turkey flavored baby food will often be an appealing consistency and flavor to kittens. Be sure there is no onion flavoring. Baby food is not a balanced diet for long term use in kittens, so use this only to encourage eating of kitten/cat food. 
4. Another alternative is plain yogurt, try 1 tsp mixed with the canned food. It is also good for their GI tract.

 Weight 

The kittens should now average about 1 pound.

  Their weight can range around 510-650 grams (approximately 18 – 22 ounces).

Teeth 

Premolars start to emerge, indicating that the kitten is ready to be introduced to wet food. 

Weaning should be handled with care; provide supplemental feeding and ensure that the kitten is maintaining a healthy weight and body condition.

Eyes

Iris is usually a gray-blue color that gradually changes to adult color by 4 to 6 weeks of age. Their sight is fully developed, so they play vigorously.

Ears – Are fully upright 

Behavior 

• Kittens are much more graceful on their feet at this stage and are exploring a lot more, often stalking, hiding, pouncing, and digging—instinctual behaviors in all cats, whether they grow up indoors or outdoors.
• Five-week-old kittens are full of energy and are developing their own distinct personalities.
• They can retract their claws at will.
• As they near six weeks old, they will become completely stable on their feet, using their tails to balance. 

Body 

• Male kittens’ testicles will become visible 
• Kittens can regulate their own temperature now, but should still be provided a cozy nest they can go to as needed.

Diet 

· At this time, kittens will begin eliminating on their own. They may start to use the litter tray, although you will likely still find accidents. Make sure that the bedding is easily washable, so you can ensure the area remains clean.

· Provide a small litter tray, and make sure it has non- clumping litter which is safe for young kittens. The clumping variety is harmful if ingested.

· Provide access to water and food at all times.

Weaning – 

· Not all kittens will take to food immediately, so patience is important. Introduce a small amount, initially. You can introduce solids either by placing a small amount of food on your finger or in a cat bowl. 

· Three small (approximately one quarter of a three ounce can) meals of canned food per day per kitten. If that is too much food in the beginning, adjust accordingly. When transitioning them from formula to solid food, it is important to feed them a mix of both, so that they don’t have digestive issues due to the change in diet. Gradually decrease the amount of food they were eating (formula), while increasing what they will be eating (solid food), over the course of seven days.

· If any kittens are territorial with food, provide a second bowl so everyone gets fed.

· Although they may have begun to wean, kittens may still regularly nurse.

Bottle feedings

18 oz (510 g) - needs approx. 138 ml formula/day - 20 ml per feeding

19 oz (539 g) - needs approx. 146 ml formula/day - 22 ml per feeding

20 oz (567 g) - needs approx. 153 ml formula/day - 23 ml per feeding

Kitten and Puppy Bottle Feeding Problems and Solutions Chart 

Kitten Bottle Feeding and Stomach Capacity Chart  

 Weight 

The kittens should now weigh approximately 640 -750 grams (approximately 22.5 – 26.45 ounces). 

Eyes and ears 

 Iris is usually a gray-blue color that gradually changes to adult color by 4 to 6 weeks of age.  

Vision and hearing are now fully developed and kitten should have complete visual abilities. 

Teeth

• Deciduous teeth will have fully emerged.
• The kitten will typically be perfecting the ability to eat wet/ dry food. The weaning is a sensitive time in a kitten's life and should always be handled with care; provide supplemental feedings as needed and ensure that the kitten is maintaining a healthy weight and body condition.

Behavior 

• Things should get easier for caregivers. 
• Kittens are now grooming efficiently and will be able to clean themselves and groom other siblings
• Socializing gets more important at this age, so continue to encourage play and getting used to routine activities, like nail clipping.
• The kittens will imitate their mother, use scratching posts, and explore the world around them.
• Kittens are extremely active, playing-fighting and pouncing.

Feeding 

• Three small (approximately one quarter of a three ounce can) meals of canned food per day per kitten. If that is too much / or not enough adjust accordingly. 
• If any kittens are territorial with food, provide a second bowl so everyone gets fed.
• Provide access to water and food at all times.

  Vaccinations/parasites

• Kittens receive their first vaccinations between 6-8 weeks of age.  
• Six weeks is a standard age to receive the first FVRCP vaccine.

 Weight 

• Average kittens should now weigh about 680 grams (24 ounces / 1.5 pounds). 
• Range can be 680 – 800 grams (24 – 28.22 ounces / 1.5 – 1.6 pounds)

Teeth 

• Premolars are in.
• All baby teeth are present.

Eyes 

•  Eyes begin to transition to adult color. At this age, the adult eye color is apparent.
• Kittens with grey, green, or yellow eyes are likely 7 weeks or older.

Body

Male testicles begin to descend into the scrotum.

Behavior 

• By week 7, the kittens will have entered their “most active play period,” a stage that will last through week 14 (month 3) of their development.  They are a bit accident prone, but they will not let that stop them. 
• Hunting skills they will begin using include ambushing, scooping, tossing, pawing, mouthing, holding, tail chasing, pouncing, and leaping. 
• Sleep patterns become more adult-like.
• Introduce kittens to different objects, pets, people, and experiences in order to help them adjust to new situations. Also, introduce the kittens to scratching posts.
•   Socializing gets more important at this age, so continue to encourage play and getting used to routine activities, like nail clipping.  Training aids them to understand routines and prepares them for their new homes.

Feeding 

• Three meals a day (about one quarter of a can) per kitten, and free feed dry food. 
• Nursing sessions should be brief and infrequent, if they take place at all. The kittens should be eating undiluted kitten food. 
• Dry food is good for their teeth and will be what they are fed in their adoptive homes. Always keep the kibble available to eat.
• Provide access to water and food at all times.
• They should be using the litter box regularly.

  Vaccinations/parasites

• Kittens receive their first vaccinations between 6-8 weeks of age.  

 Weight

• Kittens should weigh 907 grams (32 ounces / 2 pounds) and be ready to be ADOPTED 
• Weight can range - 850-950 grams ( 29.95 – 33.51 ounces / 1.87 – 2.09 pounds)

 Teeth 

All 26 baby teeth are present.
 

Eyes 

Eye color is fully developed. The permanent adult eye color is apparent.

Ears 

In proportion to the head.

Behavior 

• The role of the human is to take an active part in the socialization process without intruding. Take the time to not only play, but also to offer plenty of cuddles and familiarize the kitten with being handled. This includes frequently touching the paws, ears, and mouth, which will make basic health inspections, medicating, and claw trimming easier, as the kitten is brought up to accept this.
• They are highly mobile. 
• Eye-paw coordination is excellent and they could at this point turn into daredevils. Kitten-proof everything. 
• Kittens will continue to be social with the other kittens from their litter, people and their mother, although she may ignore them. 
• As their growth rate begins to slow down, they will develop more muscle and strength.

Feeding 

• Three meals a day (about one quarter of a can) per kitten, and free feed dry food. 
• If any kittens are territorial with food, provide a second bowl so everyone gets fed.
• Provide access to water and food at all times.
• DO NOT FEED KITTENS TABLE SCRAPS!

 Vaccinations/parasites

• Kittens receive their first vaccinations between 6-8 weeks of age.  If 2 weeks have passed since their first vaccine, they may receive their booster
• Worm kittens – third dose.