15 interesting facts about kittens, the most adorable and beloved pets. With their wide and curious eyes, energetic games and clumsy movements, these little ones manage to win the hearts of everyone they meet. It's no wonder that many cat owners wish they could always remain kittens.
Beyond their obvious charm, kittens hide a lot of surprising details and engaging behaviors that make them truly special. From their rapid development in the first weeks of life to the curiosities of how they interact with the world around them, these little felines have a lot to offer.
Here are 15 interesting facts about kittens:
Birth and development
Kittens are born blind and deaf. Their eyes open around 7-10 days of age and their hearing develops over the next two weeks. During this period they rely a lot on their senses, which are very well developed since birth.
Tactile sensitivity
As we said above, kittens have very well developed sensory senses. Kittens' whiskers are very sensitive and help them sense their surroundings even before they can see or hear well.
Sense of smell in kittens
The sense of smell is very well developed in kittens and helps them find their mother and food sources. Even though they cannot see or hear, their sense of smell and touch are quite developed from birth. This ability is among the most interesting things about kittens.
Kittens' teeth
Kittens begin to develop teeth around 3 weeks of age. The first teeth, the milk ones, appear at this age. Starting at about 14 weeks, baby teeth begin to be replaced by permanent ones. Kittens normally have all their permanent teeth by 6 months of age.
Birth weight
Kittens weigh between 85-115 grams at birth, depending on the breed. They double their weight in the first week of life.
Purring since birth
Even kittens may purr at a very young age, usually in the first few days of life, as a sign of comfort and communication with their mother.
The period of socialization with people
Between 2 and 7 weeks is a very important period for the socialization of kittens. Their exposure to people and other animals during this time will help them become balanced and sociable adults.
Attachment to people
Kittens that are frequently and gently petted by people usually become friendlier and more attached to people as they grow.
Kittens sleep a lot
Kittens sleep about 16-20 hours a day to support their rapid growth and development. So, if you have a kitten and you see that it sleeps a lot, you don't need to worry.
Training through play
Among the interesting things about kittens, their appetite for play cannot be missing. Kitten play mimics hunting behaviors and helps develop motor skills and coordination. Through play, they learn how to use their claws, teeth and how to attack prey.
Behavioral imitation and learning
Kittens learn many behaviors by observing their mother and imitating her actions. From using the litter box to how to bathe, these behaviors are learned from the mother cat. However, if a kitten is raised without a mother, it will know how to use the litter box for its physiological needs. The condition is that there is special cat sand in the litter box.
Cleaning and toileting
Kittens start cleaning and toileting themselves at an early age. The mother cat will help them and contribute to their hygiene until they are able to do it on their own.
Kittens cannot defecate on their own
Newborn kittens cannot defecate on their own and need stimulation to eliminate. Typically, their mother fulfills this role by toileting, thus helping them to defecate. In the absence of the mother, if you are caring for very young chicks, you can achieve the same result by using a cleansing disc soaked in warm water.
Kittens' claws
Kittens are born with retractable claws, which means they can hide their claws when not in use.
Food diversification
Starting at about 4 weeks, kittens begin to transition from mother's milk to solid food.
For proper care of kittens, we recommend reading the article: “How do you care for orphaned infant kittens?“.
What interesting things and curiosities can you tell us about kittens?
