Interesting Facts About Newborn Kittens
From the moment they are born, kittens have a unique set of needs to grow and thrive into healthy, socialized cats. Here are 10 interesting, must-know facts about newborn kittens from our vet experts.
They Weigh 3 to 4 Ounces at Birth
Kittens gain weight at a rate of about 4 ounces per week, which means they should weigh around 1 pound by the time they reach 4 weeks of age, says Dr. Aimee Simpson, the medical director of the VCA Cat Hospital of Philadelphia. “Kittens should continue to gain about a pound a month until the age of 6 months,” she says.
They Receive Immune-Boosting Colostrum
In the first 24 to 48 hours after birth, kittens receive colostrum from the queen (mother cat), which contains potentially life-saving antibodies to disease, Simpson describes. “Without colostrum, kittens will not develop a healthy immune system and will be susceptible to infection. If neonates cannot nurse from the mother, we can give them subcutaneous (under the skin) injections of serum from a healthy vaccinated adult cat to boost immunity.” The umbilical cord will usually drop off by about day three or more, she adds.
Source: www.petmd.com
