| | Day 1 | | - Make sure the kittens get warm as soon as possible after they are born. When they are still wet their temperature can drop rapidly. Put them under a ceramic lamp (if the queen lets you take her kittens away), or use a heating pad or cushion, a bottle filled with warm water (covered with a towel) or even warm (not hot) towels. Warm a chilled kitten gradually!
- When the queen is finished giving birth, return the kittens to her (after cleaning up).
- It's very important that the kittens receive the queen's first milk during this day. This first milk, colostrum, contains antibodies that help to protect the kittens against infections. The ability of the kitten to absorb these antibodies will cease after 24-48 hours.
- Determine the sex of the kittens. Lift the tail of the kitten. You should see two openings, if they are close together, the kittens is a female, if they are farther apart, the kitten is a male.
- You should weigh the kittens every day - or at least during the first two weeks. They should have doubled their weight at the end of the first week and gain at least 10 grams each day.
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| | Day 1-2 | | - The first two days of your kitten's life are the most critical for its survival.
- Try not to disturb the queen and her kittens too much, but do check every two hours or so to see if everything is OK - especially if it's the queens first litter. Keep a close eye on the queen. If she appears to be feverish take her to your vet.
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| | Day 1 -3 | | - The umbilicus should be carefully inspected for evidence of inflammation or infection.
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| | Day 2 | | - Some kittens loose a bit of weight during their first day, but will catch up during the second day and fill out rapidly after that.
- A healthy new-born kitten is either sleeping or sucking.
- If a kitten appears to be apathetic or cries constantly, something is wrong (consult your veterinarian)!
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| | Day 2 - 3 | | - Umbilical cord drops off.
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| | Day 5 -10 | | - The kitten's eyes will start to open. Their sight is still very foggy.
- Kittens are born with blue eyes.
- Make sure the eyes are clean, look for any signs of pus.
- Keep the kittens away from bright lights.
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| | Day 6 -
14 | | - The ear canals begin to open.
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| | Day 7 | | - If the queen can't handle the feeding of her kittens, you might want to take care of two or three feedings each day.
- Feed the kittens a commercial artificial queen's milk (like cimicat). Use a syringe or with a soft rubber nipple.
- Don't overfeed the kittens (when it is full, bubbles come out around its mouth).
- Don't forget to give the queen some too (as much as she likes).
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| | Day 14 -21 | | - The kittens are more aware of their surroundings and will start to explore.
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| | Day 17 | | - Ear canals should have completely opened by now.
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| | Day 18 | | - The kittens will be able to excrete without being stimulated.
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| | Day 21 | | - Kittens are able to purr now. Some actually begin at birth- but at this stage, they know they are purring.
- Kittens can stand up now.
- At this stage you may want to introduce a miniature litter box, but be very cautious - some kittens try to eat the litter filling. Switch to another type if they do (try the sort that is made out of paper or wood).
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| | Day 21 | | - Socialization with people and cats will/should began during this period if not sooner !!.
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| | Day 21 - 28 | | - Baby teeth will start to appear.
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| | Day 28 | | - Most kittens can start to eat semi-solid food.
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| | Day 28 -39 | | - The color of the iris of the kitten's eyes will start to change color.
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| | Day 35 | | - Kittens can be dewormed now (or even sooner if the kittens are infested with worms).
- Make sure to use a preparation suitable for kittens this young (consult your veterinarian).
- Never worm a sick kitten (see your veterinarian first).
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| | Day 42 | | - Kittens can be fully weaned now and need lots of space to exercise.
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| | Day 63 | | - First vaccination against Feline Respiratory Disease - Rhinotracheitis virus (FVR) and calicivirus (FCV) - and Panleukopenia (Feline Infectious Enteritis) can be given now.(see your veterinarian first)
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| | Day 84 | | - Second vaccination against Feline Respiratory Disease - Rhinotracheitis virus (FVR) and calicivirus (FCV) - and Panleukopenia (Feline Infectious Enteritis) can be given now.
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| | Day 84 | | - Adult teeth will start to appear.
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| | Day 85 | | - The kittens are twelve weeks old now and just about old enough to leave the nest and go to a new home.
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