Kitten Update: 8 Weeks Old!

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

 

Topaz & Onyx

 

We can’t quite believe it… Onyx, Sapphire, Ruby, and Topaz are now 8 weeks old! They've just had another vet check and their vaccinations, and we took some photos to share with you...

 

 

It seems like only yesterday that we welcomed them into the world as tiny, delicate newborns who were completely dependent on their mum Precious for everything. As you will probably remember, all kittens are born deaf and blind, so for the first few weeks of their life our kittens did not leave their mum’s side… it was a constant cycle of sleeping and feeding! Precious’ milk contained important antibodies which helped to build the kittens’ immune systems and protect them from disease.

 

If you want a reminder of each week’s milestones, head over to Week 1 of our blog here and follow the journey again.

 

Gradually as the weeks went on, the kittens’ ears began to unfurl, their eyes started to open, their fur grew in, and they took their first tentative steps around the pen… eventually becoming the confident and curious kittens that they are today! The time they spent with Precious over the past 8 weeks has helped to build positive experiences for them, ensure they are well socialised, and has helped to teach the kittens normal behaviour so that they can go to new homes as healthy, happy cats.

Throughout our Eight Precious Weeks campaign, our aim has been to show just how important the first 8 weeks of a kitten's life are, and how essential it is for them to be with their mum during this time. 

 

Unfortunately, lots of kittens are sold when they are too young, by unscrupulous sellers who put profits over the health and happiness of kittens. Because of this, our aim has always been to make sure people are as informed as possible if they are considering buying a kitten! If you haven’t already, feel free to bookmark our handy Kitten Checklist so that you can refer back to it if needed! Just click the link below:

Kitten Checklist

Of course, we would always encourage people to consider adopting a cat or kitten, and if you choose to adopt from Cats Protection, you can be sure that your cat will be ready to go to its new home. It will also be, where possible:

• wormed
• treated for fleas
• vaccinated
• microchipped
• neutered
  

 

We would like to thank you all for following us on our Eight Precious Weeks campaign and continuing to support our important cause. You have helped us raise over £400 during our Precious Appeal, which helped us with the costs involved in looking after a mother and kittens, such as food, vaccinations, neutering, and, in Precious’ case, surgery and antibiotics. So again... a huge THANK YOU from us all!

 

It is only thanks to generous donations like yours that we can do the important work of helping cats and kittens! 

 

 If you would like to suppport our work, you can donate by following the link below:

 

DONATE

 

And to read more about our Eight Precious Weeks campaign, head over to the Cats Protection website here.

 

-Cats Protection Bridgend Team

Kitten Update: 7 Weeks Old!

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

We're happy to say that Precious and the kittens are doing really well. We can't believe how fast these past 7 weeks have gone - next week Ruby, Topaz, Sapphire, and Onyx will be 8 weeks old! This means that we’re almost at the end of our Eight Precious Weeks campaign, and we want to thank you for following us on our journey so far.

 

Sapphire

Ruby

Topaz

As you know, last week's blog post was all about cat welfare, and the 5 basic needs that a cat has to ensure they have a happy life. If you haven't read the post already, you can catch up here.

Cats Protection is here to support cat owners as well as the cats themselves, and we want people to be as informed as possible about everything to do with cat ownership. So, this week we are focusing on just that! If you’re thinking about adding a cat to your family but are not sure where to begin, we’re here to answer your questions.

Getting a cat can be an exciting life event, but it can also be a little bit daunting. There is a lot to think about, from making adjustments in your home, buying all the right food and kit, to knowing how to keep your cat safe. So, how do you keep track of everything?

 

Onyx

 

Here are our top 5 important things to consider:

 

• Introducing your cat to their new home should be done slowly and carefully - don't rush it, take your time! A change of environment can be stressful for a cat, and it can be a while before they feel settled. Be patient and always work at the cat's pace when letting them adjust to their new setting and family.

 

• Getting your cat microchipped is really important. If they go missing, your details can be quickly traced and you will be more likely to be reunited with your furry companion!

 

• Having your cat neutered reduces the risk of your cat fighting and sustaining injury, contracting diseases, or becoming lost.

 

• Health care is a must! This includes making sure your cat is covered for things including vaccinations, flea and worming treatment, and regular vet check-ups. Health insurance is really important as vet bills can be very costly and can quickly add up, so knowing you are covered will provide peace of mind.
  

 

• If you’ve decided to buy a cat or kitten, make sure it is from a reputable breeder or seller – and of course, as we have learned in our previous blog posts, a kitten should not be separated from its mother until at least 8 weeks of age!

 

We would always encourage people to think about adopting – it offers a much-needed second chance for cats and can be so rewarding for cat owners. While some people might prefer to adopt a kitten, an older cat could be a great fit for a quieter household, and cats with disabilities will make great companions too, especially as indoor cats. Whatever decision you make, you can be sure that all cats have different personalities that will make them the perfect pet for the right home!

To download our handy cat checklist (which you can stick to your fridge in the run-up to bringing your new furry friend home!) and for helpful videos, visit the link below:

Cat Ownership Checklist

 

As a cat owner, you will of course want to make sure that your cat is always happy and well looked after. You can read more about your responsibilities as a cat owner by following the link below:

Owner Responsibilities

 

We hope this has been a useful guide for the prospective cat owners out there! Thank you again for following our journey and supporting Cats Protection. We will be back next week for the final instalment of our campaign, and of course more lovely pictures of Precious and the kittens!

 

-Bridgend Adoption Centre team