A kitten is a juvenile cat. After being born, kittens display primary altriciality and are fully dependent on their mothers for survival. They normally do not open their eyes for seven to ten days. After about two weeks, kittens develop quickly and begin to explore the world beyond their nest. After a further three to four weeks, they begin to eat solid food and grow baby teeth. Domestic kittens are highly social animals and usually enjoy human companionship.
Etymology
The word "kitten" derives from the
Middle English word kitoun, which in turn came from the
Old French chitoun or cheton. Juvenile
are called "cubs" rather than kittens. For the young of smaller wild
felids, such as
,
, and
, either term may be used, though "kitten" is more common.
Development
A feline litter usually consists of two to five kittens, (or sometimes 7) but litters with one to more than ten are known.
[ "How Many Kittens Are in a Litter? — Chewy". petcha.com. 3 May 2016. Retrieved on 20 September 2018.] Kittens are typically born after a
gestation lasting between 64 and 67 days, with an average length of 66 days. When they are born, kittens emerge in a sac called the
amnion, which is bitten off and eaten by the mother
cat.
For the first several weeks, kittens cannot urinate or defecate without being stimulated by their mother. They also cannot regulate their body temperature for the first three weeks, so kittens born in temperatures less than can die from hypothermia if their mother does not keep them warm. The mother's milk is very important for the kittens' nutrition and proper growth. This milk transfers antibodies to the kittens, which helps protect them against infectious diseases. As mentioned above, they cannot urinate, so they have a very high requirement for fluids. Kittens open their eyes about seven to ten days after birth. At first, the retina is poorly developed and vision is poor. Kittens cannot see as well as adult cats until about ten weeks after birth.
Kittens develop very quickly from about two weeks of age until their seventh week. Their coordination and strength improve, and they play-fight with their littermates and begin to explore the world outside the nest or den. They learn to wash themselves and others as well as play hunting and stalking games, showing their inborn ability as predators; the kittens' mother or other adult cats help develop these innate skills by bringing live prey to the nest. Later, the mother demonstrates hunting techniques for the kittens to emulate. As they reach three to four weeks old, the kittens are gradually Weaning and begin to eat solid food, with weaning usually complete by six to eight weeks. Kittens generally begin to lose their baby teeth around three months of age, and they have a complete set of adult teeth by nine months. Kittens live primarily on solid food after weaning, but they usually continue to suckle from time to time until separated from their mothers. Some mother cats will scatter their kittens as early as three months of age, while others continue to look after them until they approach sexual maturity.
The sex of kittens is usually easy to determine at birth. By six to eight weeks, this becomes harder because of the growth of fur in the genital region. The male's Urinary meatus is round, whereas the female's urethral opening is a slit. Another marked difference is the distance between anus and urethral opening, which is greater in males than in females.
Kittens are very social and spend most of their waking hours interacting with other animals and playing on their own. Play with other kittens peaks in the third or fourth month after birth, with more solitary hunting and stalking play peaking later, at about five months.
Kittens are vulnerable because they like to find dark places to hide, sometimes with fatal results if they are not watched carefully. Cats have a habit of seeking refuge under or inside cars or on top of car tires during stormy or cold weather; this often leads to broken bones, burns, heat stroke, damaged internal organs or death.[Daphne Sashin, Five Risky Hiding Places For Cats. WebMD, September 14, 2010.]
Domestic kittens are commonly sent to new homes at six to eight weeks of age, but it has been suggested that being with their mother and littermates from six to twelve weeks is important for a kitten's social and Cat behaviour development. Usually, breeders and foster/rescue homes will not sell or adopt out a kitten that is younger than twelve weeks. In many jurisdictions, it is illegal to give away kittens younger than eight weeks of age. Kittens generally reach sexual maturity at around seven months old. A cat reaches full "adulthood" around one year of age.
Health
Domestic kittens in developed societies are usually vaccinated against common illnesses from two to three months of age. The usual combination vaccination protects against feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), feline calicivirus (C), and feline panleukopenia (P). This FVRCP inoculation is usually given at eight, twelve, and sixteen weeks, and an inoculation against
rabies may be given at sixteen weeks. Kittens are usually spayed or neutered at seven months of age, but kittens may be neutered as young as seven weeks (if large enough), especially in
. Such early neutering does not appear to have any long-term health risks for cats, and it may even be beneficial in male cats. Kittens are commonly given
deworming treatments for
from about four weeks.
Nutrition
Felines are carnivores and have adapted to animal-based diets and low
carbohydrate inclusion. Kittens belong to the growth life stage and have high energy and protein requirements.
When feeding a kitten, it is often recommended to use highly digestible ingredients and a variety of components to support development and ensure a healthy adult cat.
In North America, diets certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) are accepted as adequate nutrition; therefore, kitten diets should be AAFCO-approved to guarantee complete supplementation.
Key components of the diet are high fat content to meet caloric requirements of growth, high protein to promote muscle growth, and supplementation of certain nutrients such as docosahexaenoic acid to support
brain development and the optimization of
cognition.
Pre-weaning nutrition
Establishing immunity
Part of the kitten's immune system is the mucosal immune system, which is within the gastrointestinal tract. The mucosal immune system is largely responsible for coordinating proper immune responses by tolerating innocuous antigens and attacking foreign pathogens.
[Kabat, A. M., Pott, J., & Maloy, K. J. (2016). The mucosal immune system and its regulation by autophagy. Frontiers in immunology, 7.] In order to optimize kitten health and increase chances of survival, it is important to optimize the link between the gut-associated lymphoid tissue and the
microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract. Lasting health and longevity can be promoted partly through proper nutrition,
as well as by establishing a healthy gut from birth through the use of
colostrum.
[Chastant‐Maillard, S., Aggouni, C., Albaret, A., Fournier, A., & Mila, H. (2017). Canine and feline colostrum. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 52(S2), 148-152.]
Within the first two days after birth, kittens acquire passive immunity from their mother's milk.[Greco, D. S. (2014). Pediatric Nutrition. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 44(2), 265-273.] Kittens are able to chew solid food around 5–6 weeks after birth, and it is recommended that 30% of their diet consist of solid food at this time.[Little, S. (2013) Successful management of orphaned kittens. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 15, 201-210.] The kitten remains on the mother's milk until around eight weeks of age, when weaning is complete and solid food becomes the primary food source.[Sheridan, L. (2014). Kitten Nutrition. Veterinary Nursing Journal, 27(6), 232-241.]
Post-weaning nutrition
Fat
Until approximately one year of age, kittens are in a growth phase during which energy requirements can be up to 2.5 times higher than maintenance.
[Hand, M. S. L., & Lon, D. (2000). Small animal clinical nutrition (No. SF 992. N88. L49 2000).] Pet nutritionists often suggest offering a
Cat food designed specifically for kittens starting at four weeks of age.
[Case, L. P., Daristotle, L., Hayek, M. G., Raasch, M. F. (2011) Nutritional care of neonatal puppied and kittens. Canine and Feline Nutrition, 21, 209-219.] Fat has a higher caloric value than
and
protein, supplying 9 kcal/g.
[The heats of combustion for glucose, sucrose, and starch are 15.57, 16.48 and 17.48 kJ/g respectively, or 3.72, 3.94 and 4.18 kcal/g.] The growing kitten requires
Arachidonic acid and
linoleic acid, which can be provided in omega−3 fatty acids.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is another vital nutrient that can be supplied through omega−3 fatty acids. Addition of DHA to the diet benefits the cognition, brain, and visual development of kittens.
Protein
Cats are natural
and require high amounts of protein in the diet. Since kittens are in a growth phase, they need substantial levels of protein to supply essential
for the development of tissues and muscles.
It is recommended that kittens consume a diet containing approximately 30% protein, on a dry matter basis, for proper growth.
Taurine is an essential amino acid found only in animal tissue; the mother cat cannot produce enough of it for her kittens.[Sturman, J. A., Moretz, R. C., French, J. H., & Wisniewski, H. M. (1985). Postnatal taurine deficiency in the kitten results in a persistence of the cerebellar external granule cell layer: correction by taurine feeding. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 13(4), 521-528.] As it is an indispensable amino acid, it must be provided exogenously through the diet at 10 mg per kg of bodyweight, each day.[Burger, I. H., & Barnett, K. C. (1982). The taurine requirement of the adult cat. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 23(9), 533-537.] Taurine deficiency can lead to poor growth in kittens,[Markwell, P. J., & Earle, K. E. (1995). Taurine: an essential nutrient for the cat. A brief review of the biochemistry of its requirement and the clinical consequences of deficiency. Nutrition research, 15(1), 53-58.]
Carbohydrates
Felines are natural carnivores and do not intentionally consume large quantities of carbohydrates. The domestic cat's liver has adapted to the lack of carbohydrates in the diet by using amino acids to produce glucose, which fuels the brain and other tissues.
[Schermerhorn, T. (2013). Normal glucose metabolism in carnivores overlaps with diabetes pathology in non-carnivores. Frontiers in endocrinology, 4.] Studies have shown that carbohydrate digestion in young kittens is much less effective than that of a mature feline with a developed gastrointestinal tract.
[Harper, E. J., & Turner, C. L. (2000). Age-related changes in apparent digestibility in growing kittens. Reproduction, Nutrition, Development, 40(3), 249-260] Highly digestible carbohydrates found in commercial kitten food provide additional energy and fiber to stimulate the immature gut tissue. Soluble fiber such as
beet pulp is commonly used as a stool hardener and has been shown to strengthen intestinal muscles and thicken the gut mucosal layer, helping to prevent diarrhea.
[Fukunaga, T., Sasaki, M., Araki, Y., Okamoto, T., Yasuoka, T., Tsujikawa, T., ... & Bamba, T. (2003). Effects of the soluble fibre pectin on intestinal cell proliferation, fecal short chain fatty acid production and microbial population. Digestion, 67(1-2), 42-49.]
Diet composition
Amino acids
The lack of readily available
glucose from the limited carbohydrates in the diet has resulted in the liver adapting to produce glucose from the breakdown components of protein — amino acids. The enzymes that break down amino acids are constantly active in cats. Thus, cats need a constant source of protein in their diet.
Because they are constantly growing, kittens require an increased amount of protein to supply readily available amino acids for daily maintenance and for building new body components.
There are many required amino acids for kittens. A dietary level of approximately 0.3%
histidine is necessary for kittens since histidine-free diets cause weight loss.
is required at about 0.15% as this level maximizes performance in kittens.
Kittens also need the following amino acids supplemented in their diet:
arginine to avoid an excess of
ammonia in the blood — otherwise known as
hyperammonemia,
isoleucine,
leucine,
valine,
lysine,
methionine as a
sulfur-containing amino acid,
asparagine for maximal growth in the early post-weaning kitten,
threonine, and taurine to prevent central retinal degeneration.
Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins
Vitamin A is required in kitten diets because cats cannot convert
carotenes to
retinol in the intestinal mucosa due to a lack of the necessary enzyme; therefore, this vitamin must be supplied in the diet.
is another required vitamin in kitten diets; deficiency leads to steatitis, causing the depot fat to become firm and yellow-orange in colour, which is painful and leads to death.
Also,
vitamin D is essential because cats cannot convert it from precursors in the skin.
Water-soluble vitamins
Cats can synthesize
niacin, but its breakdown exceeds the rate at which it can be synthesized, so they have a higher requirement for it, which can be fulfilled through an animal-based diet.
(vitamin B
6) is required in increased amounts because it is essential for amino acid metabolism.
Vitamin B
12 is an AAFCO-recommended vitamin that is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates and protein, supports the nervous system and mucous membranes, contributes to muscle and heart function, and promotes normal growth and development.
is also an AAFCO-recommended ingredient for kittens; it is important for neurotransmission in the brain and serves as a component of membrane
phospholipids.
(vitamin B
7) is another AAFCO-recommended vitamin that supports the thyroid and adrenal glands as well as the reproductive and nervous systems.
Kittens also require
riboflavin (vitamin B
2) for heart health,
pantothenic acid (vitamin B
5), and
folacin (vitamin B
9).
Metabolism aids
Since kitten diets are very high in
calories, ingredients must be implemented to ensure adequate digestion and utilization of these calories.
Choline chloride is an ingredient that maintains fat
metabolism.
Biotin and niacin are also active in the metabolism of fats,
carbs, and protein.
Riboflavin is also necessary for the digestion of fats and carbohydrates.
These are the main metabolic aids incorporated into kitten diets to maximize nutrient utilization.
Growth and development
A combination of essential nutrients is used to satisfy the overall growth and development of the kitten's body. Nonetheless, many ingredients that kittens do not require are also included in diet formulations to promote healthy growth and development; these ingredients include: dried egg as a source of high-quality protein and fatty acids,
— which are rich in omega−3 fatty acids and aid in digestion, calcium carbonate as a source of
calcium, and calcium pantothenate (vitamin B
5) — which acts as a
coenzyme in the conversion of amino acids and is important for healthy skin.
Immunity boosters
help support the development of a healthy immune system by preventing the
oxidation of essential molecules in a growing kitten.
Antioxidants in kitten diets can be derived from plant ingredients such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach, as well as from dietary supplements like
vitamin E and
zinc proteinate.
Orphaned kittens
Kittens require a high-calorie diet that contains more protein than the diet of adult cats. Young orphaned kittens require cat milk every two to four hours, and they need physical stimulation to defecate and urinate. Cat milk replacer is manufactured to feed young kittens because
Dairy cattle's milk does not provide all the necessary nutrients. Human-reared kittens tend to be very affectionate with humans as adults and sometimes more dependent on them than kittens reared by their mothers, but they can also show volatile mood swings and aggression.
Depending on the age at which they were orphaned and how long they were without their mothers, these kittens may be severely underweight and can have health problems later in life, such as heart conditions. The compromised immune system of orphaned kittens — due to the absence of antibodies normally found in the mother's milk — can make them especially susceptible to infections, often necessitating antibiotics.
See also
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