6 Week Outdated Kittens Improvement and Care Information
6 week previous kittens are very energetic and energetic one second, chewing, chasing or climbing, after which they’re quick asleep in a heap the subsequent. However for those who’re the pet guardian of a litter of those little bundles, you already know there’s extra to caring for younger kittens than admiring their cuteness! 6 weeks is a key age for kittens, as many massive life occasions occur round this stage, like transitioning to meals from mother’s milk and studying to make use of the litter field. Right this moment we’ll share what to anticipate from this stage of improvement and the way to finest take care of a litter of 6 week previous kittens. They nonetheless have a option to go till they’re prepared to go away their mom at 8 weeks previous, and it’s a quick and interesting journey!
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6 Week Outdated Kittens Measurement and Improvement
A kitten at this age is normally within the 22–24-ounce weight vary. That’s a bit of over a pound. Their eyes are open, their ears are upright, and a few of their enamel are coming in. Eye colour is usually nonetheless blue at 6 weeks, however it’s going to start to alter to the grownup shade quickly.
6 week previous kittens are very cellular and energetic, desirous to play and discover the world however not completely prepared to go away mother’s aspect for good.
Weaning a 6 Week Outdated Kitten
As much as about 3 weeks of age, a kitten will rely completely on mom’s milk for its dietary wants. Orphaned kittens would require bottle feeding with a milk substitute kitten system. Across the 3–5-week age vary, milk may be supplemented with some industrial kitten meals or finely chopped cooked meat, like hen.
The 6–8-week age vary is when the weaning course of may be accelerated. Stable meals must be elevated and entry to mother’s milk must be decreased. A 6 week previous kitten should still need to return to mother for consolation and a bit of little bit of nursing, which is ok, however by 8 weeks, it must be totally weaned.
Vitamin and Feeding
Good diet is necessary for all cats in fact, however for rising kittens, it’s important for wholesome physique and mind improvement, together with a powerful immune system. Veterinary diet specialists word that kittens want a high-protein weight-reduction plan, particularly in the course of the 6 week weaning age vary. Kittens additionally want important fatty acids for power, progress, and improvement.
The opposite necessary part in a 6 week previous kitten’s weight-reduction plan is calcium, which helps bones and enamel develop sturdy. A industrial meals specifically formulated for kittens will comprise the appropriate steadiness of those important vitamins. Many house owners like to begin their youthful kittens on moist meals and add kibble as they get a bit of older.
Free Feeding vs Limiting Kitten Meals
Ideally, younger kittens must be fed small quantities of meals about 4 instances per day. In case you should go away meals out, be sure that your kitten maintains a wholesome physique weight. On the 6 week age, a kitten ought to solely be consuming kitten meals. The transition to grownup meals ought to occur when your kitten is older and totally grown.
Maintain off on feeding your kitten treats till across the 8-week age. You also needs to keep away from giving your kitten any sort of milk moreover mom’s milk or system, as this will trigger diarrhea.
6 Week Outdated Kittens Conduct
Apart from transitioning to strong meals, 6 week previous kittens may also expertise different key developmental milestones. At this age kittens ought to be capable to clear themselves. Additionally they have interaction in grooming with their siblings, an necessary bond constructing exercise.
Utilizing a litter field comes naturally to cats, even very younger ones. Ensure to get a small one with low sides to begin. An unscented, non-clumping litter is most secure for younger kittens.
Caring for a 6 Week Outdated Kitten
6 weeks is an effective age to start getting your kitten used to wholesome routines like tooth brushing, nail filing, and brushing or combing. Particularly when you have a long-haired cat!
Maintain hazardous gadgets like cleansing provides, medicines, and pesticides out of attain. Take away any vegetation that could be poisonous to cats. Ensure all window screens are safe.
Staying Wholesome
Kittens want to begin getting their core vaccinations at round 6-8 weeks of age. Different veterinary remedies could also be needed, relying on the person kitten. Many vets give two separate doses, so they could have one other at 12 weeks or three months previous.
Kittens that have been rescued from the outside or group environments like animal shelters usually must be handled for parasites or different infections. It’s not unusual for these kittens to have intestinal worms, ear mites, fleas, or higher respiratory infections.
