There are many different reasons to buy or build a cat condo for your cat. If your favorite feline loves to sleep on your furniture and is always in your favorite chair then a cat condo may be just the thing. Cats enjoy sleeping on or in them. Many condos come with a built in house and a fleece covered bed for kitties nap time. Some even come with a hammock so they can swing themselves to sleep.
Cat Condo - Another good reason to own a pet condo is if your cat enjoys using your furniture as a scratching post. Most condos are built with post that are covered with sisal rope which cats love to use as a scratching post.
Some condos come with toys that hang so your pet will enjoy playing with these and getting exercise at the same time keeping your pet happy and healthy. Some are tall in height giving your kitty the opportunity to climb up and down on as if outside on a real tree.
Cat Condo: Most cat tree/condos are made from pressed wood and are covered with faux fur. They come in many different colors and sizes so you can choose to match your decor and find a size that will fit in the room you choose to place it in. A well built condo can be rather pricey. Most cost somewhere around $80.00 to over $100.00. If you would prefer to build one yourself you can save a lot of money. There are many cat condo plans online that you can purchase if you choose to go this route.
Monday
Cats and Cold Weather - How to Protect Our Pet From the Cold
Cats don't like cold weather just like people don't like it. When the weather becomes cold you should protect your cat. What you should do it to keep the cat indoors during winter in order to improve the quality of life of your cat.
Cats and Cold Weather Problems associated with cold weather. Cat care questions - where to go? Here is one of the answers.
Often people forget to take their cats inside in cold weather because they believe cats are adapted to live outdoors. However, cats prefer the warmth of the indoors just like people do in specially made for them - cat gifts. Leaving a cat outside in the cold for a longer period of time can endanger the pet seriously.
Cats and Cold Weather One of the major problems is hypothermia. This is a condition which occurs when the body temperature falls below the normal. Cats can develop hypothermia if they are left in the cold for a long time. Less serious cases of hypothermia may be manifested by shivering, signs of depression, lethargy and weakness. However, if the condition progresses, the cat's muscles may stiffen, the breathing and the heart rates may slow down. The cat may even stop responding to different stimuli. If you notice these symptoms, you should warm your cat as soon as possible and take the animal to a veterinarian.
Another problem that can occur because of cold is frostbite. It can result if the cat is left outdoors for a long time in cold weather. In case of frostbite, remember to never rub frozen tissues because this may cause extra tissue damage. If you can't take your pet to a veterinarian, you should quickly warm the affected areas. You should do this by immersing the areas in warm, but not hot water.
Another way to warm the affected tissues is to put over them warmed moist towels and change them frequently. The warming should be discontinued as soon as the affected areas become flushed. Then you should dry these areas and cover them with a clean and dry bandage. Cat gifts such as cool cat houses a great way to provide you cats with home of their own.
Cats and Cold Weather Helpful tips and guidelines
The following advices and guidelines may be helpful to keep your cat healthy, warm and safe during winter.
• You can fortify your cat's coat by providing it with essential fatty acids included in their diet. This will stimulate the growth of thicker coat during the cold months. Fatty acids may be provided with the addition of canola oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, butter and fish oils in the cat's meals.
• You can increase the amount of protein in the cat's food in order to keep its fur thick and healthy. You can also give your cat more food and treats during winter if the cat doesn't have weight problems.
• Provide the cat with vitamins E and B-complex in order to make the tissues stronger. The cat will also become more cold-resistant. However, be careful about the dosage of vitamins because they may cause
medical problems.
• Older or arthritic cats should be provided with addition care because the cold can make their joints very stiff and tender. Make them a thick and soft bed in a warm room and modify their environment to facilitate their movements.
• Prepare a warm place for your cat to sleep, for example a basket or a cardboard box with a warm blanket.
• In case you have to take the cat to the vet, put a hot water bottle in the carrier to keep the animal warm.
• Groom the cat's coat very well because matted fur cannot protect the cat from the cold in a proper way.
Cats and Cold Weather Taking care of outdoor cats
Here are some tips that are very useful if you allow your cat to go outside or if the cat lives outside permanently, even if they have cool cat houses.
• You should let your cat outside as the weather starts getting colder. The cat needs to adjust to the cold, to grow thicker coat and to develop a cold-resistance.
• Cats that live outdoors will need more food in the winter.
• Make sure the food and the water of the cat are not frozen. If the water is frozen, the cat may drink from puddles or gutters which may be polluted with various chemicals, for example oil, household cleaners, etc.
• Outdoor cats should have a shelter during winter. Provide them with a house to keep them warm and to protect them from cold weather.
• Do not use newspaper, towels or blankets for the inside of the cat's shelter because they will retain the cold and will become stiff and hard. You should use straw instead.
Cats and Cold Weather Thanks for taking this cat care questions seriously, you will can see that is important to you as well.
Cats and Cold Weather Problems associated with cold weather. Cat care questions - where to go? Here is one of the answers.
Often people forget to take their cats inside in cold weather because they believe cats are adapted to live outdoors. However, cats prefer the warmth of the indoors just like people do in specially made for them - cat gifts. Leaving a cat outside in the cold for a longer period of time can endanger the pet seriously.
Cats and Cold Weather One of the major problems is hypothermia. This is a condition which occurs when the body temperature falls below the normal. Cats can develop hypothermia if they are left in the cold for a long time. Less serious cases of hypothermia may be manifested by shivering, signs of depression, lethargy and weakness. However, if the condition progresses, the cat's muscles may stiffen, the breathing and the heart rates may slow down. The cat may even stop responding to different stimuli. If you notice these symptoms, you should warm your cat as soon as possible and take the animal to a veterinarian.
Another problem that can occur because of cold is frostbite. It can result if the cat is left outdoors for a long time in cold weather. In case of frostbite, remember to never rub frozen tissues because this may cause extra tissue damage. If you can't take your pet to a veterinarian, you should quickly warm the affected areas. You should do this by immersing the areas in warm, but not hot water.
Another way to warm the affected tissues is to put over them warmed moist towels and change them frequently. The warming should be discontinued as soon as the affected areas become flushed. Then you should dry these areas and cover them with a clean and dry bandage. Cat gifts such as cool cat houses a great way to provide you cats with home of their own.
Cats and Cold Weather Helpful tips and guidelines
The following advices and guidelines may be helpful to keep your cat healthy, warm and safe during winter.
• You can fortify your cat's coat by providing it with essential fatty acids included in their diet. This will stimulate the growth of thicker coat during the cold months. Fatty acids may be provided with the addition of canola oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, butter and fish oils in the cat's meals.
• You can increase the amount of protein in the cat's food in order to keep its fur thick and healthy. You can also give your cat more food and treats during winter if the cat doesn't have weight problems.
• Provide the cat with vitamins E and B-complex in order to make the tissues stronger. The cat will also become more cold-resistant. However, be careful about the dosage of vitamins because they may cause
medical problems.
• Older or arthritic cats should be provided with addition care because the cold can make their joints very stiff and tender. Make them a thick and soft bed in a warm room and modify their environment to facilitate their movements.
• Prepare a warm place for your cat to sleep, for example a basket or a cardboard box with a warm blanket.
• In case you have to take the cat to the vet, put a hot water bottle in the carrier to keep the animal warm.
• Groom the cat's coat very well because matted fur cannot protect the cat from the cold in a proper way.
Cats and Cold Weather Taking care of outdoor cats
Here are some tips that are very useful if you allow your cat to go outside or if the cat lives outside permanently, even if they have cool cat houses.
• You should let your cat outside as the weather starts getting colder. The cat needs to adjust to the cold, to grow thicker coat and to develop a cold-resistance.
• Cats that live outdoors will need more food in the winter.
• Make sure the food and the water of the cat are not frozen. If the water is frozen, the cat may drink from puddles or gutters which may be polluted with various chemicals, for example oil, household cleaners, etc.
• Outdoor cats should have a shelter during winter. Provide them with a house to keep them warm and to protect them from cold weather.
• Do not use newspaper, towels or blankets for the inside of the cat's shelter because they will retain the cold and will become stiff and hard. You should use straw instead.
Cats and Cold Weather Thanks for taking this cat care questions seriously, you will can see that is important to you as well.
Declawing Your Cat - Don't Be Cruel
I know there's a purpose for removing the claws of a cat. I understand the concept completely. But do people really know how it affects a cat's life?
The claws of a cat serve a purpose in their lives and for us as humans to remove goes completely against nature. I think it's cruel and unusual punishment for various reasons. I will tell you that I did have a cat that I removed her claws and I have always regretted it. Owning a cat isn't about having him adapt his life for you, it's about you making the necessary changes for adapting your life for him. It's easier for you to change then expect a cat to change what nature has instilled in him. If you can't handle a cat the way they are then maybe you shouldn't own one.
Declawing Your Cat Mother Nature provided claws for the cat species for a reason. Cats use them to climb trees or fences. They are a descendant of a predatory animal and therefore enjoy being perched up high to see the activity on the ground. Cats also use their claws for defense purposes when they need to get away from an over-zealous dog or other type of animal and because cats are very clean and tidy animals; they use their claws after eliminating to cover up their excrement with dirt.
Cats will use their claws as a means to mark their territory. When they scratch a surface, the glands that sit right behind the claws excrete a liquid and transfer onto that particular object letting other cats know that he was there. It's a message to other felines letting them know that they are dominating and in charge of that area. It's simply a natural instinct for cats to perform this ritualistic characteristic. Without their claws, it's simply impossible to do.
Declawing Your Cat The really sad part of de-clawing your cat is the fact that even without their claws; they will still instinctively go through the motions of sharpening their claws even when there is nothing there to sharpen. It's heartbreaking to watch and I will personally never do that to another cat again. It goes completely against nature and could be detrimental to your cat if he ever slipped outside from his protective shell of your home. Think about that the next time you get a notion of removing your cat's claws for your convenience. I believe you'll think twice before doing doing it.
The claws of a cat serve a purpose in their lives and for us as humans to remove goes completely against nature. I think it's cruel and unusual punishment for various reasons. I will tell you that I did have a cat that I removed her claws and I have always regretted it. Owning a cat isn't about having him adapt his life for you, it's about you making the necessary changes for adapting your life for him. It's easier for you to change then expect a cat to change what nature has instilled in him. If you can't handle a cat the way they are then maybe you shouldn't own one.
Declawing Your Cat Mother Nature provided claws for the cat species for a reason. Cats use them to climb trees or fences. They are a descendant of a predatory animal and therefore enjoy being perched up high to see the activity on the ground. Cats also use their claws for defense purposes when they need to get away from an over-zealous dog or other type of animal and because cats are very clean and tidy animals; they use their claws after eliminating to cover up their excrement with dirt.
Cats will use their claws as a means to mark their territory. When they scratch a surface, the glands that sit right behind the claws excrete a liquid and transfer onto that particular object letting other cats know that he was there. It's a message to other felines letting them know that they are dominating and in charge of that area. It's simply a natural instinct for cats to perform this ritualistic characteristic. Without their claws, it's simply impossible to do.
Declawing Your Cat The really sad part of de-clawing your cat is the fact that even without their claws; they will still instinctively go through the motions of sharpening their claws even when there is nothing there to sharpen. It's heartbreaking to watch and I will personally never do that to another cat again. It goes completely against nature and could be detrimental to your cat if he ever slipped outside from his protective shell of your home. Think about that the next time you get a notion of removing your cat's claws for your convenience. I believe you'll think twice before doing doing it.
Give Your Cat a Well Balanced Diet
Cats and kittens have completely different nutritional needs to dogs and cats. There are things that you would happily give other animals that are actually poisonous to felines. Always ensure that you steer clear of the cheap cat food in favor of a top quality brand which will have all the nutrition and vitamins that your pet need to stay healthy.
A cats' eyes are probably their most important feature, so that they can see in the dark etc. There are some serious diseases that lead to blindness, and one way to protect your cat's eyes is to ensure that they have Taurine in their diet. This amino acid keeps their eyes bright and healthy.
Give Your Cat a Well Balanced Diet Another essential nutritional requirement for you cat is Vitamin A. Like the Taurine, they can't synthesize it themselves, so we must ensure a regular supply in their diet.
Raw liver is one way to give your cat their Vitamin A, but a lot of cats refuse to eat it, and a lot of owner find it abhorrent. Braking open a capsule of cod liver oil and adding it to their normal food is a much more acceptable of doing it. On every tin and packet of cat food there is a feeding guide. Please remember that this is very general and there are all sorts of factors that also must be taken into consideration.
Give Your Cat a Well Balanced Diet Some of the major considerations are the cats age, its weight, how much exercise it gets, it's breed and if there are any underlying health problems. You cat is unique so these guides should never be followed to the letter. Never ever over feed your cat. Although you may want to treat your cat and think that you are making it happy, its health is way more important.
A cats' eyes are probably their most important feature, so that they can see in the dark etc. There are some serious diseases that lead to blindness, and one way to protect your cat's eyes is to ensure that they have Taurine in their diet. This amino acid keeps their eyes bright and healthy.
Give Your Cat a Well Balanced Diet Another essential nutritional requirement for you cat is Vitamin A. Like the Taurine, they can't synthesize it themselves, so we must ensure a regular supply in their diet.
Raw liver is one way to give your cat their Vitamin A, but a lot of cats refuse to eat it, and a lot of owner find it abhorrent. Braking open a capsule of cod liver oil and adding it to their normal food is a much more acceptable of doing it. On every tin and packet of cat food there is a feeding guide. Please remember that this is very general and there are all sorts of factors that also must be taken into consideration.
Give Your Cat a Well Balanced Diet Some of the major considerations are the cats age, its weight, how much exercise it gets, it's breed and if there are any underlying health problems. You cat is unique so these guides should never be followed to the letter. Never ever over feed your cat. Although you may want to treat your cat and think that you are making it happy, its health is way more important.
How Can I Tell If My Cat is in Heat?
Quite often cat owners are interested in learning the indicators for when their cat is in heat. The responsible approach would be to spay your feline as early as possible. Most veterinarians will tell you that based on today's veterinary practices and local anesthesia you can safely spay a kitten as early as 8 weeks old. Some owners insist on keeping their females fertile and breed them for kittens to sell through a business. If you are not in the business of breeding purebred cats then do be a responsible owner and spay your feline. The indicators for your cat in heat can be mixed. Every cat will exhibit slightly unique behavior. You can own a cat where the indicators are inconspicuous or in a worse case scenario your cat is going to make obnoxious howling noises and have a strong tendency to scratch up your home furniture.
Cat in Heat: Female cats can become fertile as soon as 6 months. For certain breeds this can occur even earlier in the developmental stage. Female cats can remain fertile for many more years and definitely show signs of being in heat. If you insist on breeding your cat you want to wait until after the cat is over a year old as to not endanger the cat.
When female cats exhibit behaviors of being in heat the most obvious signs are becoming extremely friendly. You will often find your feline constantly rubbing up against your leg. She might also roll on her back a lot. You will frequently notice her sticking her rear up in the air with her tail up and she will tap her feet when you stroke her back. Cats in heat who are normally house dwellers will suddenly want to go outside and you will hear their moaning throughout the day wanting to get out. Lastly cats also have urge to spray their urine everywhere. This is one of her methods to release pheromones to stimulate nearby males cats.
Cat in Heat: When a female cat shows signs of being in heat she will typically remain in heat for about a week. Similar to humans this is a cycle which happens every three weeks from winter to around April. When the female cats are in heat they are most fertile in the first couple of days. Cats will mate frequently with males to ensure a high probability of fertilization. If the female cat is feral and roams wild she may mate with several males while she is in heat. Subsequently she can give birth to a litter with genes from multiple male cats.
Cat in Heat If you are going to mate your cat you will have to be prepared to have multiple sets of kittens. You also have to be responsible in being able to find homes for all these kittens because typically pet shelters do not have the capacity to take unwanted kittens. The pet shelters are overcrowded and millions of cats are euthanized every year. Unless you are going to do this as a business leave the breeding to the breeders and you will be able to reap the longer term benefits of having a healthier cat who will still love you.
Cat in Heat: Female cats can become fertile as soon as 6 months. For certain breeds this can occur even earlier in the developmental stage. Female cats can remain fertile for many more years and definitely show signs of being in heat. If you insist on breeding your cat you want to wait until after the cat is over a year old as to not endanger the cat.
When female cats exhibit behaviors of being in heat the most obvious signs are becoming extremely friendly. You will often find your feline constantly rubbing up against your leg. She might also roll on her back a lot. You will frequently notice her sticking her rear up in the air with her tail up and she will tap her feet when you stroke her back. Cats in heat who are normally house dwellers will suddenly want to go outside and you will hear their moaning throughout the day wanting to get out. Lastly cats also have urge to spray their urine everywhere. This is one of her methods to release pheromones to stimulate nearby males cats.
Cat in Heat: When a female cat shows signs of being in heat she will typically remain in heat for about a week. Similar to humans this is a cycle which happens every three weeks from winter to around April. When the female cats are in heat they are most fertile in the first couple of days. Cats will mate frequently with males to ensure a high probability of fertilization. If the female cat is feral and roams wild she may mate with several males while she is in heat. Subsequently she can give birth to a litter with genes from multiple male cats.
Cat in Heat If you are going to mate your cat you will have to be prepared to have multiple sets of kittens. You also have to be responsible in being able to find homes for all these kittens because typically pet shelters do not have the capacity to take unwanted kittens. The pet shelters are overcrowded and millions of cats are euthanized every year. Unless you are going to do this as a business leave the breeding to the breeders and you will be able to reap the longer term benefits of having a healthier cat who will still love you.
Senior Cat Care - Caring For Your Older Cat
"Ain't it funny how time slips away" sang Willie Nelson. Well sometimes it's not only funny but downright scary too! You look at your cat and realize, although it seems like only yesterday you brought her home as a very playful kitten, she is now a senior cat.
Senior Cat Care Time has marched on, for both you and your cat. Older cats of course, can give you just as much delight and love, as young 'uns, but they do need a bit of senior cat care to help them enjoy their later years.
At what age does your cat become senior? Many veterinarians consider a cat to be senior at around ten years of age. But this is a very loose figure. There are plenty of well cared for ten year old, or older, felines who are as fit as the proverbial fiddle.
Senior Cat Care What Does Senior Cat Care Entail?
Senior Cat Care may mean more regular visits to your veterinarian, not necessarily for expensive treatment, but so that conditions related to aging can be diagnosed and treated before they cause problems.
It is an important part of senior cat care to keep a check on your cat's teeth. Many older cats suffer with dental (and gum) problems. The pain can cause them to loose interest in their food and hence not get the nutrition they require.
Senior Cat Care On the subject of your older cat's food, cats nutritional needs change as they advance in years.
As cats get older they become less active and, if kept to the same diet she or he enjoyed as a younger kitty, may become overweight. Senior cat foods are designed to benefit the digestive system of elderly cats and cut down the chances of obesity. Your senior feline may find several small meals throughout the day easier to digest than one or two larger ones.
Senior Cat Care and Behavioral Change.
Senior Cat Care - Caring for a senior cat means being aware of any change in their behavior.
Perhaps your cat cannot now move like they were once able to. This could be due to painful arthritis, seek advice from your veterinarian. Your pet may not be able to leap up onto their favorite perch as they once did, fixing another perch lower down as a midway point may help.
Senior Cat Care Sometimes cats that have been friendly become aggressive when they age, this can be because worn joints are causing discomfort. Likewise an older cat may be less tolerant with young children and other pets.
Senior cats sometimes have accidents when using the litter tray. This happens for a variety of reasons and you will want your veterinarian to check if there is any medical problem. One simple reason that your senior cat may be missing the tray is that it is too high sided. No problem when your feline friend was young and fit, but now he or she needs a tray that she can easily climb in and out of.
Failing eyesight, hearing and sense of smell all mean that you may have to make allowances for your aging feline friend. Remember that, reaching out to pick up a cat that cannot hear your approach is likely to startle him or her.
Senior Cat Care Cats of any age snooze at least for some of the time during the day, but your older cat may have taken to sleeping most of the time. As part of your senior cat care, enjoy a gentle play session with your cat each day. Playing helps your cat exercise and this may help to slow down aging. Naturally the exercise should not be too strenuous for your older cat.
Caring for a senior cat also means making sure that she or he is warm and has somewhere to sleep out of drafts. You may need to groom your cat more frequently too as older cats often become less able to groom themselves.
Senior Cat Care - Your cat has brought you joy through the years and she, or he, can continue to do so now they are older with the help of senior cat care.
Senior Cat Care Time has marched on, for both you and your cat. Older cats of course, can give you just as much delight and love, as young 'uns, but they do need a bit of senior cat care to help them enjoy their later years.
At what age does your cat become senior? Many veterinarians consider a cat to be senior at around ten years of age. But this is a very loose figure. There are plenty of well cared for ten year old, or older, felines who are as fit as the proverbial fiddle.
Senior Cat Care What Does Senior Cat Care Entail?
Senior Cat Care may mean more regular visits to your veterinarian, not necessarily for expensive treatment, but so that conditions related to aging can be diagnosed and treated before they cause problems.
It is an important part of senior cat care to keep a check on your cat's teeth. Many older cats suffer with dental (and gum) problems. The pain can cause them to loose interest in their food and hence not get the nutrition they require.
Senior Cat Care On the subject of your older cat's food, cats nutritional needs change as they advance in years.
As cats get older they become less active and, if kept to the same diet she or he enjoyed as a younger kitty, may become overweight. Senior cat foods are designed to benefit the digestive system of elderly cats and cut down the chances of obesity. Your senior feline may find several small meals throughout the day easier to digest than one or two larger ones.
Senior Cat Care and Behavioral Change.
Senior Cat Care - Caring for a senior cat means being aware of any change in their behavior.
Perhaps your cat cannot now move like they were once able to. This could be due to painful arthritis, seek advice from your veterinarian. Your pet may not be able to leap up onto their favorite perch as they once did, fixing another perch lower down as a midway point may help.
Senior Cat Care Sometimes cats that have been friendly become aggressive when they age, this can be because worn joints are causing discomfort. Likewise an older cat may be less tolerant with young children and other pets.
Senior cats sometimes have accidents when using the litter tray. This happens for a variety of reasons and you will want your veterinarian to check if there is any medical problem. One simple reason that your senior cat may be missing the tray is that it is too high sided. No problem when your feline friend was young and fit, but now he or she needs a tray that she can easily climb in and out of.
Failing eyesight, hearing and sense of smell all mean that you may have to make allowances for your aging feline friend. Remember that, reaching out to pick up a cat that cannot hear your approach is likely to startle him or her.
Senior Cat Care Cats of any age snooze at least for some of the time during the day, but your older cat may have taken to sleeping most of the time. As part of your senior cat care, enjoy a gentle play session with your cat each day. Playing helps your cat exercise and this may help to slow down aging. Naturally the exercise should not be too strenuous for your older cat.
Caring for a senior cat also means making sure that she or he is warm and has somewhere to sleep out of drafts. You may need to groom your cat more frequently too as older cats often become less able to groom themselves.
Senior Cat Care - Your cat has brought you joy through the years and she, or he, can continue to do so now they are older with the help of senior cat care.
Raising a Kitten in the Early Stages
Raising a Kitten in the Early Stages There are three stages in the early development of the kitten that the new owner must be cognizant of to ensure that your little bundle of fur can develop healthy and eventually grow into a confident and energetic cat. The three stages are protection from diseases, the birth weight, and weight management.
Immediately after birth kittens are very susceptible to developing diseases due to their weak immune system. Kittens are often times absent of the antibodies because they do not get them directly from the mother while in the womb. Rather the antibodies are transferred to the kitten through their mother's first milk. The antibodies are contained in this substance found in the mother's milk called colostrum. It is so imperative for the kitten's survival that it must nurse within the first couple hours after birth in order to take in these important antibodies to ensure the kitten's future survival. If too much time has elapsed, the colostrum in the mother's milk will begin to deplete and after 12 hours there will be virtually zero levels of colostrum in the milk. Denying the kittens the necessary antibodies will make their immune systems weak and they will be more susceptible to viral and bacterial diseases and will require more care.
Raising a Kitten in the Early Stages The kitten's birth weight is also important for the kitten's early development. If the kitten is born from a very large litter for example with more than 6 other siblings then each kitten will be very small and will need more care at the beginning to ensure they will have no further complications. The seriousness is compounded if the mother was not very healthy to begin with because and some of those traits will most likely be passed to the litter. The ideal scenario is if the mother is healthy and the kittens are born after a 65 day gestation period. This will allow the kitten more time to fully develop in the womb. Also if the litter is smaller with only 3-4 kittens then it allows a larger distribution of nutrients to each kitten. Therefore, you will have a larger and healthier litter.
Raising a Kitten in the Early Stages The final stage to ensure healthy development of your kitten is proper weight management. An ideal scenario is for the kitten to gain about 2 to 4 ounces a week. This will closely depend on how healthy the kitten is to start with and how the remaining two stages are working out. The mother also has to maintain her health as well and ideally give birth to a smaller litter. This allows her milk to contain more nutrients essential for her litter's development.
Immediately after birth kittens are very susceptible to developing diseases due to their weak immune system. Kittens are often times absent of the antibodies because they do not get them directly from the mother while in the womb. Rather the antibodies are transferred to the kitten through their mother's first milk. The antibodies are contained in this substance found in the mother's milk called colostrum. It is so imperative for the kitten's survival that it must nurse within the first couple hours after birth in order to take in these important antibodies to ensure the kitten's future survival. If too much time has elapsed, the colostrum in the mother's milk will begin to deplete and after 12 hours there will be virtually zero levels of colostrum in the milk. Denying the kittens the necessary antibodies will make their immune systems weak and they will be more susceptible to viral and bacterial diseases and will require more care.
Raising a Kitten in the Early Stages The kitten's birth weight is also important for the kitten's early development. If the kitten is born from a very large litter for example with more than 6 other siblings then each kitten will be very small and will need more care at the beginning to ensure they will have no further complications. The seriousness is compounded if the mother was not very healthy to begin with because and some of those traits will most likely be passed to the litter. The ideal scenario is if the mother is healthy and the kittens are born after a 65 day gestation period. This will allow the kitten more time to fully develop in the womb. Also if the litter is smaller with only 3-4 kittens then it allows a larger distribution of nutrients to each kitten. Therefore, you will have a larger and healthier litter.
Raising a Kitten in the Early Stages The final stage to ensure healthy development of your kitten is proper weight management. An ideal scenario is for the kitten to gain about 2 to 4 ounces a week. This will closely depend on how healthy the kitten is to start with and how the remaining two stages are working out. The mother also has to maintain her health as well and ideally give birth to a smaller litter. This allows her milk to contain more nutrients essential for her litter's development.
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