Category: Kittens

What is the ideal age to bring home a kitten?
Who doesn’t love the angelic face of a kitten? These sweet furry balls of energy have such a charming personality as well. It is such a temptation to just pick a kitten and bring them home. In fact, that is what most people do when they see a stray kitten. But is it the right thing to do?

Ideally a kitten should stay with their mother and littermates until they are ready to start a new life with a new family. An important question to ask is what is an ideal age for a kitten to leave its mother and littermates? To understand this, first you need to be aware of the stages of kittenhood.

Stages of kittenhood

A kitten has to undergo three stages of development right from their birth till 16 weeks of age. The following are the stages.
- Neonatal stage – This stage is from birth to 2 weeks of age. The kitten is on its mother’s feed. By day 14 their eyes open and they begin to walk to explore their environment. But they are yet to learn to groom themselves. The mother and her brood must be given good care in a warm and secure environment. There should be very minimal handling of the kittens by the human caregivers.
- Early socialisation – This stage is from 3 to 8 weeks of age. The kitten starts eating solid food and learns the necessary social skills that are essential for survival. They learn to control their body functions and to use the litter box. They become more curious and they start climbing and running. A kitten is also capable of complex learning at this stage. At this stage, the human caregiver should start handling the kitten regularly and reward them with praise, treats or toys whenever they show friendly behaviour to humans and other animals. The caregiver must slowly start exposing them to new experiences that will further equip them to handle themselves better in a new environment.
- Late socialisation – This stage is from 9 to 16 weeks of age. The kitten is now capable of eating a complete solid food meal. They will continue to learn and practice social skills and social play. They start to become more adventurous in exploring their environment. The human caregiver must help them to explore the environment and enhance their social skills in a safe manner.
As you can observe from the above-mentioned stages, it is highly recommended that a kitten stays with their mother and littermates till they are 8 weeks of age before they are brought to their new home.

As the period of socialisation is from 3 to 8 weeks of age, it is best if the mother and her brood stay together along with an appropriate human interaction. If cats are not handled by humans from 2 to 9 weeks of age, then they will have poor interactions with humans and need a lot of training for them to learn to be comfortably handled by humans.

Kitten and kids

Bringing a kitten to a household with kids must be done once the kids are taught to handle them gently and kindly. Just like kittens’ small children tend to be experimental and may treat kittens as toys to play with hence the kittens might get frightened and may even turn aggressive.

The first thing to do when you bring home a kitten is to visit the vet to ensure they are healthy and to involve your children in taking care of them.
September 7, 2018
Do kittens eyes change colour?

Kittens are born with their eyes firmly sealed. They are designed that way as nature’s method of protecting their eyes from infection and eye damage during birth. Their eyes slowly begin to open anytime between 2 to 16 days of age. Each kitten in the litter will open their eyes at different times.

Once a kitten’s eyes open they may not be able to see clearly as their vision is still developing. At this stage, they depend on their other senses of smell, touch and their mother.

The kitten’s eyes are completely open by the time they are 3 weeks old. But their vision will continue to develop over a period of several months. If their eyes are clear and not red or pink or have discharge, their vision is completely fine.

Beautiful blue eyes

At about 2 weeks of age, kittens open their eyes and they are a beautiful shade of blue. Over the next few months their eye colour will change to the colour that they will have throughout their adult life.

Most of the adult cat’s eye colours are in the colour continuum from green to yellow and yellow to orange and to copper. Breeds like the Siamese and Tonkinese have blue eyes.

During the transition period where a kitten’s eyes change from blue to a permanent eye colour, you will see flecks of different colours. The colour flecks are from the pigment cells, known as melanocytes, in the iris. Just as in the case with humans’, a cat’s eyes colour is determined by genetics.

Breeds like the Siamese will have blue eyes permanently and it is alright if they do not change colour.

If a cat’s eyes are shiny and appear healthy then they can see very well. It’s just that their eye colour was blue which can slowly change to a permanent colour or remain the same according to their genetic code. Their eyesight matures completely by the time they are weaned, that is by 8 weeks of age.

Few cat breeds take close to three months to transition to a permanent eye colour and take about a year for their eyes to darken and mature to a permanent eye colour and hue.

Health concerns when the eye colour changes

A cat’s eye colour never changes once their vision is completely developed and matured. If their eye colour changes then it is a sure sign that they need medical attention.

The coloured area around the pupil is the iris and the cornea are the clear region in front of the eye that you see through. So, a blue iris is completely normal but a blue cornea is not. A serious eye infection can make the cornea appear blue. If you notice this in your pet you must take them to the vet and have them thoroughly checked.

A healthy kitten’s eyes must be clear and bright. Signs of an eye infection are scratched eye from play or injury, eye swelling, discharge, cloudiness, continuous blinking, squinting and watery eyes.

Conjunctivitis is a highly contagious eye infection seen in cats. The most obvious sign of it is watery eyes. The cat may squint and have dark tear stains on their coat. It is easily treatable with prompt medical attention.

Uveitis is another common eye infection seen in cats. The uvea of the eye is the part that includes the iris, the ciliary body that is behind the iris and the choroid which is the middle of the eyeball consisting of blood vessels. When either one or more of these parts get inflamed it causes uveitis.

Signs of uveitis include eye redness, eye discharge, cloudiness and change of eye colour. If the disease is caught in the earliest stage treatment is easier. It requires swift medical intervention.

So, if you notice any changes in the eyes of your kitten it is a good idea to get them checked by the vet. By doing so you will be helping your kitten lead a long and healthy life!

September 5, 2018
The challenges of raising an adolescent cat
It is hard to digest the fact that your cute kitten is tying you up in knots with their adolescent behaviour. Just like human teenagers, our feline teens go through the ‘rebel without a cause’ phase. Cats often like to test their independence during the adolescent stage. Apart from this, their terrible curiosity to explore coupled with their high spirit is bound to get them into trouble. This phase poses quite a challenge for inexperienced cat parents.

When is a kitten an adolescent?

A kitten’s development can be classified into five categories:
- Neonatal period – From birth to 2 weeks of age
- Transitional period – From 2 to 3 weeks of age
- Socialisation period – From 3 weeks of age to 10 weeks of age
- Juvenile phase – From 10 weeks of age till sexual maturity
- Adolescent period – Between 6 and 18 months of age
Common adolescent behaviour problems in cats
- Predatory or play aggression – Social play is at its peak in kittens during the adolescence stage. They become high spirited and seem very energetic. They tend to play aggressively, even roughly. If they do not have a play mate your ankles are the next best thing for them! It is very easy for you to lose your cool as an adolescent cat can try the patience of a saint! It is usually during this stage that cats love to test their independence and curiosity outdoors and as a result many of them get lost.
The best thing for you to do in this stage is to bring home a pair of kittens who will give company to your pet. They can play with each other and burn their energy rather than destroying your home or hurting your poor ankles. If you would like to continue with a single cat household then you must keep them occupied with interactive toys.
- Scratching – Cats love scratching. But during adolescence, cats will have longer and stronger claws that can cause more harm than good. As they like to mark their territory and portray the fact that they are looking out for a mate they will be an increase in their marking behaviour. Which means that they will spray at inconvenient places.
You can trim their claws so that they no longer scratch. Trimming their claws followed by a tasty treat will help you get rid of the scratching problem.
- Accidents – Well, curiosity can literally kill your cat. During adolescence stage cats can jump out of doors, cupboards or windows with great ease. Sometimes they may not be so lucky. They can meet with an accident or end up having fights with other cats in the neighbourhood and come home seriously injured. They can also turn your home upside down my pulling sheets, table mats and damaging your furniture.
To avoid this, you must cat proof your home and be aware of your cat’s whereabouts.
- Romantic cats – Once your cat is in the adolescence stage they also become sexually mature. They will notice and get attracted to the opposite sex. Once they do this they will start spraying urine. This scent marking behaviour proudly states their sexual availability to other felines. A male will spray urine in particular corners of the home and the females apart from spraying will also be more vocal when she is in heat. Female kittens in heat will roll on the floor and yowl like they are in pain. They can also escape from home to hook up with other male cats and possibly get pregnant.
Spaying or neutering your pet at this stage will stop the hormones that instigate such behaviour. They will stop marking and lose their aggressiveness. They will then become more affectionate and easier to handle.

Patience is the key

Adolescence can be a trying time for both cats and their owners. Handling a teen is never easy with their changing hormones, high energy and a general shift in their attitude and behaviour. You just have to understand that is a temporary phase which they will soon outgrow. So, understanding feline adolescence behaviour and following the tips mentioned above will help you tackle your kitty’s problem the right way.

You can always contact your vet for further professional advice.
September 4, 2018
7 Ways your cat shows affection
Cats are aloof. They rarely show affection and are unemotional. As a cat parent I am sure you would never agree with this myth. I bet you know how your cat particularly showers you with their love and gratitude. In fact, cats show affection towards their caregivers by using their body language, posture and vocalizations.

Cats unlike dogs do not wag their tails and slobber you with wet kisses. They are subtler as they quietly signal you their affection. Here is how!
- Cats show affection through their eyes – If your cat looks at you through their half-closed eyes or are blinking its something like them blowing you a kiss. You can in turn return the gesture by blinking your eyes as well!
- Cats show affection through their tails – Tail position in cats helps us to understand their feelings of fear, aggression and even affection. So, if your pet is wrapping their tail around you and when their tail is fluffed up at the base and is slightly quivering it means they are expressing their affection.
- Cats show affection through cheek rubs – Cheek rub is the way cats greet the ones they trust and feel secure with. Cheek rubs also encourage socialisation. Interestingly, cats have scent glands in their cheeks which produce pheromones. In addition to showing their loved ones affection, cats rub cheeks to mark their ownership and to spread their scent to whom they are close to.
- Cats show affection through head bunting – If your cat bumps their head on you it means they are showing their affection. It is a social behaviour that encourages marking and mixing of their scent with yours. It’s a sign of trust and friendship and head bunting surely means the proclamation of ownership!
- Cats show affection vocally – Soft purrs, meows and chirps are ways in which cats express their affection. Cats definitely have special sounds that they express to only their favourite people. So, when your pet softly purrs at you while touching you with light kisses, paw or tail it means that they are feeling safe, secure and happy with you.
- Cats show affection through grooming – Cats that are attached to another usually groom each other as this behaviour helps them to relax, encourage trust and friendship among their community. Cats also groom their human caregivers and friends to show their affinity with them.
- Cats show their affection by hanging out with you – Cats love to be around people whom they feel safe and secure with. They may sit in a position that makes a part of their body touch you. Although, they may not sit on your lap they will still express their affection by sticking close to you. They may simply tag along with you wherever you go.
So, you see cats are not the cold creature that most people think they are. They express their feelings of love, trust and friendship by blending body language, posture and vocalisations. They have their own special way of showing love towards their human family!
June 9, 2018
Why do cats purr?

A moment of serenity for any cat lover is to have their feline friend blissfully purring their happiness on the lap of their caregiver. We all have our own little ways to express our joy. Humans smile, dogs wag their tail and cats purr.

So, when you cat decides to seek your company by curling up on your lap and you stroke them you will find them purring with pleasure. But purring is always not a sign of happiness. It can just be an emotional response or an indicator of pain. Cats can also purr while they give birth as purring works as a mechanism to help them rest.

Purring is also a behaviour that comforts a cat. It is seen in kittens that are a few days old who purr to call out for their mother for their feed. This type of communication continues even through their adult life.

How do cats purr?

Purring is done by the movement of the muscles of the larynx or voice box when combined with the movement of the diaphragm. The muscles move 20 to 30 times per second.

As they breathe the air touches the vibrating muscles thereby producing a purr. Each purr made by your cat is different. Some are high pitched and others very low. Few are very faint and you need to be very close to your pet to hear it. Others will be so loud that you might just need to stay away.

The purr and meow combo

Cats have a special purr sound that they use when they want your attention, especially when it is feeding time. This is otherwise known as the ‘solicitation purr’ which combines their sounds of purrs and meows. Cat caregivers respond to this sound the same as human parents do to the cry of their baby.

June 7, 2018
4 Myths about cat allergies busted

If you have a cat at home then it’s very common to see cat hair all over the house. It is one of those things that you will have to learn to love about your feline friend. The shedding may not be much of a bother to you but will be a great source of frustration and annoyance when you have certain friends or family members visiting you.

Some people may playdown their allergies while certain others will be very verbal in expressing their opinion of your cat that is causing them unpleasant sensations like coughing, sneezing itching and hives.

You may start wondering whether to believe such drastic claims made by your friend. To help you figure this here are few things to help you understand more about cat allergies.

Myth 1 – People are allergic to cat hair

For people allergic to cats, just the sight of their hair spread everywhere will have them reaching out to tissues and eyedrops. A shedding cat can help to flare up allergies, but it is not the hair that causes problem but the dander or dead skin cells which clings to the hair that makes people to have the sniffles and sneeze.

Apart from the dander bringing on the allergies, people who are allergic to cat will also be allergic to the protein Fel D1 produced in the cat’s urine and saliva. Each cat produces the Fel D1 protein differently. The female cats produce lesser protein than the males and light- coloured cats produce lesser allergy provoking protein than the dark coloured cats.

Long haired cats do not cause more allergy than short haired cats. In fact, they may disperse very few allergens as it stays in their hair more than the short haired ones.

Myth 2 – Cat allergies will get cured with constant exposure

Subjecting a person who has an allergy to constant exposure to cats when you are under the impression that their will get used to the cat gradually is just a myth. In most cases, the allergy may only stay the same or get worse with continuous exposure.

People with cat allergies may have severe reactions to one particular cat and may show mild symptoms when they are exposed to another. This is because the severity of the allergy depends on the level of protein produced by the cat.

Myth 3 – There are allergen free cats

There are hypoallergenic cats. But you must keep in mind that no cat is free from allergy producing proteins. If you or any other family have an allergy to cats then bringing home a hypoallergenic cat is a safe option. Even then these breeds can make you cough, sneeze and wheeze. So, it is a good idea to take advice from your doctor to help you manage the symptoms of allergy and to keep your place allergen free.

Myth 4 – You will be safe from cat allergies when outside of the home

A person who is allergic to cats can just casually walk into a house that does not have cats but still feel the symptoms of allergy. This is because cat allergens are unfortunately, very sticky. It is more likely to travel through clothing and other common surfaces. A person may have dander in their clothing and give a friendly hug to a person allergic to cats. So, a person who has an allergy to cats must always be prepared and learn to manage their symptoms.

June 5, 2018
Are eggs good for cats?

Eggs are a delicious source of high quality protein. But, sadly many people believe the popular myth of eggs containing high levels of cholesterol and are wary of the yolks. As a result, most people usually consume the whites while leaving the juicy yellow yolks to our four-legged buddies. So, here’s the important question – How can something that is said to be unsafe for you be safe for your pet? Are eggs in totality good for our feline buddies?

Thankfully recent researches have proved that eggs are not to be held responsible for causing heart diseases in humans. They are a good source of fat and the bad cholesterol rises only when people eat too much of unhealthy food and not get enough exercise. So, eggs are safe for human consumption.

The same holds true even for cats. Cats do fall prey to heart diseases but not the type that is caused by raised cholesterol levels in humans. Cats may suffer from only two types of heart diseases. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – that is an inherited disease and not due to their lifestyle, and Dilated Cardiomyopathy – which is caused due to taurine deficiency. Usually cat foods have taurine present in sufficient quantities to eliminate this problem. Also, keep in mind that eggs are a wonderful source of taurine.

So, eggs are an excellent source of protein recommended by nutritionists especially for our feline friends. It is therefore recommended to serve only cooked eggs to your pet but in moderation.

Why must cats eat eggs in moderation?

Eggs undoubtedly are nutritious. But they do not make for a balanced meal for your pet. A cat that is only fed eggs will develop nutrition deficiencies. If you follow the one egg a day plan for your pet then you will be inviting health troubles for your pet. Think of it like this, one egg for a cat is equivalent to eight eggs for a human! Definitely not healthy for your cat.

To sum it all, eggs are good for your cat. They are healthy and nutritious. But feed them in moderation for them to enjoy good health!

You can always contact your vet for further professional advice.

June 2, 2018
What temperature should cat food be served?

Is your cat turning away without tasting their food? Are you trying very hard to convince them to eat? If you think that you are well on your way in raising a picky eater then you are sadly not aware of one vital thing that is necessary while feeding a cat – the food temperature.

Yes, the temperature of the food plays a big role in its selection and palatability. Majority of the cats prefer their food at about 35 degrees centigrade. This not only makes the food appear appetizing but there are certain theories to support the fact that it closely matches the temperature of a freshly killed prey. Anything above 40 degrees centigrade or below 35 degrees centigrade will be rejected by cats due to its unpalatability.

The length of time that you can leave the food out uneaten depends on the room temperature. The thumb rule while serving cat food is to not leave it out for more than 20 to 30 minutes else the food turns stale.

If you are feeding your pet canned food then ensure that they are covered adequately and are refrigerated immediately after opening. Any uneaten food can be stored in disposable plastic cans or bags. If you need to heat it up, place them in a microwavable dish and just warm the food in a low setting. Warming the food to room temperature will make it not only smell good but taste great as well.

April 27, 2018
Why do cats hiss?
Your cat’s day is very peaceful until that moment when your dog decides to playfully sniff and try to get them to play. That’s it, your cat has had it! He is on his feet, arches in back, ears shoot up, mouth is open and his tongue is curled. Then you will hear the sound of hissing. What does it mean? Why do cats hiss? What should you do when they hiss?

The origin of cat hissing

Feline behaviourists believe that cats have learnt to hiss by copying the sound made by snakes. Imitating the sounds made by other animals is a survival technique that is used by many animals. When they hiss, it means they are issuing a warning that must be heeded by other animals.

What is running in a cat’s brain when they hiss?

When a cat hisses they usually feel confused, unhappy, surprised or fearful. When they have such mixed feelings, their adrenaline is pumped up and is flowing because they are startled and scared. Following their natural instinct, they hiss.

Why do cats hiss?

There are many reasons why they do, here are the most common ones:
- The warning hiss – A mother cat hisses to protect her kittens from strangers. Two cats that have not been introduced the right way will issue a warning to each other to ‘stay away’, thereby avoiding unnecessary fights. A cat may also hiss at a person who carries the scent of other pets on their clothes. They just want them to keep a safe distance.
- The in-pain hiss – A cat that is injured and in pain will hiss if they are touched in the affected spot. Some cats even hiss at the vet because they do not like to be touched, poked or prodded especially when all the handling causes them pain.
- The play hiss – The play hiss is shorter than the defensive one, which is quite common in kittens. A young cat will react to a loud noise by jumping and hissing. A kitten will hiss if their littermates start to play rough.
What to do if a cat hisses at you?

Firstly, understand that when your cat hisses they want you to know that they are feeling vulnerable, frightened or they might be in pain. Just give them some time and leave them alone for a bit.

If your cat hisses while you are petting them then it’s a sign that they are being overstimulated. Stop petting them and give them some space. Always observe their body language before approaching them. If their tail starts twitching or when they look at your hand then maybe it’s time to stop petting them.

Teach your kids not to touch the cat when they hiss, this will stop them from succumbing to unwanted injuries.

To sum it all up, a cat’s hiss is a gesture to inform other animals to back off. Once you adhere to their restricted boundaries and their ‘petting threshold’, the lesser hisses will be issued at you!
April 26, 2018
Why does my cat hide?
Neha is worried about her cat. Her cat Pasha always hides under the table or the sofa and any amount of coaxing doesn’t seem to bring him out. Pasha is a new addition to their home and no doubt needs time to adjust to his new surroundings. Neha expected her cat to be the kind that welcomes her home by pawing and licking her and she never expected her cat to be this aloof!

The first thing that every cat parent must understand is that cats are fiercely independent and not very social and affectionate. They will obviously love you in their own special way its just that they do not wear their heart on their sleeve!

Why do cats hide?

Most of the time your cat will sneak into their hideaway place for a nap, which they do quite a lot throughout the day. There maybe also other reasons for your cat’s reclusive behaviour.

Shyness

A new cat in the household will be shy as they may feel uncomfortable in their new home and with their new parents. If they come from a disturbing and abusive environment, it may take quite sometime for them to adjust to their new home and will test your patience and perseverance in helping them to relax in their new home and establish a positive relationship with you.

Separation Anxiety

It is possible that a cat may miss its owner to an extent that they feel stressed and will hide under the bed or bookcase. With a little time, patience and training you can coax your kitty to come out of their hiding place and receive affection from you.

Playtime

Maybe your pet is in the mood to play peek-a-boo or hide and seek. It is quite common for a cat to suddenly jump and grab at your legs when you go past their hiding place. They just want to play. So, indulge them by setting aside some time just to play with your feline friend.

Nap time

Your cat will choose a quiet and secluded place for them to feel comfortable, relax and to pass long hours sleeping. It is more of a preservation instinct as they may feel safe from predators or anyone else who may want to disturb them during their sleep time.

Neglect

A bored and lonely cat will want to hide. If they are left alone for a long time with no one to show affection, play or cuddle them then they will turn anti-social and will shy away from human touch. So, you need to interact with your cat for them to be emotionally strong and form a strong bond between the two of you.

When should I worry?

Since hiding is quite an ordinary behaviour in cats you should not be alarmed at this behaviour unless you notice any other unusual behaviour such as,
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in their litter box habits
- Unusual aggressive behaviour
Stress, fear and medical conditions are the main causes for the above mentioned behaviour. So, it is a good idea to seek advice from the vet.

Any changes in your home can cause tension and stress in your pet. So, ensure that they are given enough care, attention and affection. You must slowly understand the characteristics of your cat for you to know when they are being particularly worrisome and when they need a quick snooze or a snuggle.
April 12, 2018