Kitten Update: 3 Weeks Old!

Welcome back to the blog and the next instalment of our #EightPreciousWeeks campaign!

We're at week 3 of the kittens' #EightPreciousWeeks and they are continuing to thrive. Their vision and hearing are improving, their first teeth are beginning to emerge, and their coordination is getting better - they aren't quite as wobbly now! They're also having a lot of fun playfighting together!

 

We have some lovely photos for you this week...

 

 

Ruby

Sapphire

 

 When they are newborns, kittens need their mum to encourage them to go to the toilet, however, it's around this point, at 3 weeks old, that they start being able to do this for themselves... so this is the time that they might start exploring the litter tray!

They are still very dependent on mum, however, and are still feeding from her - although not quite as regularly as when they were newborns. They should still be with mum full time at this point, and they mustn't be separated from her before they reach eight weeks. The time they spend with her builds positive experiences and helps to teach them normal behaviour so that they can go to new homes as healthy and happy cats. If kittens are separated from their mum too early, before eight weeks, there may be the retention of juvenile behaviour as they get older, such as kneading or suckling.

 

 

It's important that Precious and the kittens are still together!

While they are young their brains are also still developing, and it's from two to seven weeks old that the socialisation period should happen (more on this next week!). At this point, a kitten’s brain and sensory system are still developing and the stimuli they encounter will influence how this development happens. Everything from who they meet, to the environments they encounter, will teach them whether what is happening is threatening or non-threatening! Therefore kittens must be able to feel safe while they're growing and exploring, and being with mum is the best chance they have at this.
 

If you can, please help us support Precious and her kittens, please donate to our appeal here:

 

Precious Appeal

We are so grateful for all your support, and for following us on our kittens' journey through their first eight weeks of life. Keep following our blog and social media updates to see how the kittens develop in the coming weeks!

 

-Cats Protection Bridgend Team