Born Helpless: Similar to puppies, kittens are born blind and deaf. Their eyes usually open within 7 to 14 days, and their hearing develops shortly after.
Fast Growers: Kittens grow rapidly in their first few months, reaching close to their adult size by 6 months of age.
Sleep Enthusiasts: Kittens sleep up to 18 hours a day, which is crucial for their development. This rest time is when they grow the most, both physically and neurologically.
Kneading Instincts: Kittens knead with their paws when they are content, a behavior that stems from kittenhood when they knead their mother’s belly to stimulate milk flow.
Playful Learners: Play is not just fun for kittens; it’s also an essential part of their learning process, helping them develop hunting skills and social interactions.
Temperature Control: Kittens can’t regulate their body temperature effectively until they are around three weeks old, relying on their mother and siblings for warmth.
Social Window: Kittens have a critical socialization period between 2 and 7 weeks of age, during which time exposure to various stimuli and experiences can significantly influence their personality and behavior in adulthood.
Whisker Width: A kitten’s whiskers are roughly as wide as their body. This helps them gauge whether they can fit through openings and is crucial for navigating their environment.
Teething Too: Just like human babies, kittens go through a teething phase. They start to lose their baby teeth around three months of age, which are replaced by adult teeth.
Distinctive Meows: Kittens meow to communicate with their mothers, but as they grow, they often reserve meowing primarily for communicating with humans, using a range of sounds to indicate their needs and emotions.
