Akitten is ajuvenile cat. After being born, kittens display primaryaltriciality and are fully dependent on their mothers forsurvival. They normally do not open their eyes for seven to ten days. After about two weeks, kittens develop quickly and begin to explore the world beyond their nest. After a further three to four weeks, they begin to eat solid food and growbaby teeth. Domestic kittens are highlysocial animals and usually enjoy human companionship.
The word "kitten" derives from theMiddle English wordkitoun, which in turn came from theOld Frenchchitoun orcheton.[1] Juvenilebig cats are called "cubs" rather than kittens. For the young of smaller wildfelids, such asocelots,caracals, andlynxes, either term may be used, though "kitten" is more common.[2]
A felinelitter usually consists of two to five kittens,[3] but litters with one to more than ten are known.[4] Kittens are typically born after agestation lasting between 64 and 67 days, with an average length of 66 days.[3] When they are born, kittens emerge in a sac called theamnion, which is bitten off and eaten by the mothercat.[5]
For the first several weeks, kittens cannoturinate ordefecate without being stimulated by their mother.[6] They also cannot regulate their body temperature for the first three weeks, so kittens born in temperatures less than 27 °C (81 °F) can die fromhypothermia if their mother does not keep them warm.[7] The mother's milk is very important for the kittens' nutrition and proper growth. This milk transfersantibodies to the kittens, which helps protect them againstinfectious diseases.[8] As mentioned above, they cannot urinate, so they have a very high requirement for fluids.[9][clarification needed] Kittens open their eyes about seven to ten days after birth. At first, theretina is poorly developed and vision is poor. Kittens cannot see as well as adult cats until about ten weeks after birth.[10]
Kittens develop very quickly from about two weeks of age until their seventh week. Their coordination and strength improve, and theyplay-fight with their littermates and begin to explore the world outside the nest or den. They learn to wash themselves and others as well as play hunting and stalking games, showing their inborn ability as predators; the kittens' mother or other adult cats help develop these innate skills by bringing live prey to the nest. Later, the mother demonstrates hunting techniques for the kittens to emulate.[11] As they reach three to four weeks old, the kittens are graduallyweaned and begin to eat solid food, with weaning usually complete by six to eight weeks.[12] Kittens generally begin to lose theirbaby teeth around three months of age, and they have a complete set of adult teeth by nine months.[13] Kittens live primarily on solid food after weaning, but they usually continue to suckle from time to time until separated from their mothers. Some mother cats will scatter their kittens as early as three months of age, while others continue to look after them until they approachsexual maturity.[14]
The sex of kittens is usually easy to determine at birth. By six to eight weeks, this becomes harder because of the growth of fur in the genital region. The male'surethral opening is round, whereas the female's urethral opening is a slit. Another marked difference is the distance betweenanus and urethral opening, which is greater in males than in females.[15]
Kittens are verysocial and spend most of their waking hours interacting with other animals and playing on their own. Play with other kittens peaks in the third or fourth month after birth, with more solitary hunting and stalking play peaking later, at about five months.[16]
Kittens are vulnerable because they like to find dark places to hide, sometimes with fatal results if they are not watched carefully. Cats have a habit of seeking refuge under or inside cars or on top of car tires during stormy or cold weather; this often leads to broken bones, burns, heat stroke, damaged internal organs or death.[17]
Domestic kittens are commonly sent to new homes at six to eight weeks of age, but it has been suggested that being with their mother and littermates from six to twelve weeks is important for a kitten's social andbehavioural development.[16] Usually, breeders and foster/rescue homes will not sell or adopt out a kitten that is younger than twelve weeks. In many jurisdictions, it is illegal to give away kittens younger than eight weeks of age.[18] Kittens generally reach sexual maturity at around seven months, and full "adulthood" around one year of age.[19]
Domestic kittens in developed societies are usually vaccinated against common illnesses from two to three months of age. The usual combination vaccination protects againstfeline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR),feline calicivirus (C), andfeline panleukopenia (P). ThisFVRCP inoculation is usually given at eight, twelve, and sixteen weeks, and an inoculation againstrabies may be given at sixteen weeks. Kittens are usuallyspayed or neutered at seven months of age, but kittens may be neutered as young as seven weeks (if large enough), especially inanimal shelters.[20] Such early neutering does not appear to have anylong-term health risks for cats, and it may even be beneficial in male cats.[21] Kittens are commonly givendeworming treatments forroundworms from about four weeks.[22]
Felines are carnivores and have adapted to animal-based diets and lowcarbohydrate inclusion. Kittens belong to the growth life stage and have high energy and protein requirements.[23] When feeding a kitten, it is often recommended to use highly digestible ingredients and a variety of components to support development and ensure a healthy adult cat.[24] In North America, diets certified by theAssociation of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) are accepted as adequate nutrition; therefore, kitten diets should be AAFCO-approved to guarantee complete supplementation.[25] Key components of the diet are high fat content to meet caloric requirements of growth, high protein to promote muscle growth, and supplementation of certain nutrients such asdocosahexaenoic acid to supportbrain development and the optimization ofcognition.[26]
Part of the kitten's immune system is themucosal immune system, which is within thegastrointestinal tract. The mucosal immune system is largely responsible for coordinating proper immune responses by tolerating innocuous antigens and attacking foreign pathogens.[27] In order to optimize kitten health and increase chances of survival, it is important to optimize the link between thegut-associated lymphoid tissue and themicrobiota of the gastrointestinal tract. Lasting health and longevity can be promoted partly through proper nutrition,[28] as well as by establishing a healthy gut from birth through the use ofcolostrum.[29]
Within the first two days afterbirth, kittens acquirepassive immunity from their mother's milk.[30] Milk within the first few days of parturition is called colostrum and contains high concentrations ofimmunoglobulins.[30] These includeimmunoglobulin A andimmunoglobulin G, which cross theneonatal intestinal barrier.[29] The immunoglobulins andgrowth factors found in the colostrum begin to establish and strengthen the weak immune system of theoffspring.[31] Kittens are able to chew solid food around 5–6 weeks after birth, and it is recommended that 30% of their diet consist of solid food at this time.[32] The kitten remains on the mother's milk until around eight weeks of age, when weaning is complete and solid food becomes the primary food source.[23]
Until approximately one year of age, kittens are in a growth phase during which energy requirements can be up to 2.5 times higher than maintenance.[33] Pet nutritionists often suggest offering acommercial cat food designed specifically for kittens starting at four weeks of age.[28]Fat has a higher caloric value thancarbohydrates andprotein, supplying 9 kcal/g.[34] The growing kitten requiresarachidonic andlinoleic acid, which can be provided inomega−3 fatty acids.[23] Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is another vital nutrient that can be supplied through omega−3 fatty acids. Addition of DHA to the diet benefits the cognition, brain, and visual development of kittens.[28]
Cats are naturalcarnivores and require high amounts of protein in the diet. Since kittens are in a growth phase, they need substantial levels of protein to supply essentialamino acids for the development of tissues and muscles.[30] It is recommended that kittens consume a diet containing approximately 30% protein, on a dry matter basis, for proper growth.[35]
Taurine is an essential amino acid found only in animal tissue; the mother cat cannot produce enough of it for her kittens.[36] As it is an indispensable amino acid, it must be provided exogenously through the diet at 10 mg per kg of bodyweight, each day.[37] Taurine deficiency can lead to poor growth in kittens,[36] and it can cause retinal degeneration in cats.[38]
Felines are natural carnivores and do not intentionally consume large quantities of carbohydrates. The domestic cat's liver has adapted to the lack of carbohydrates in the diet by using amino acids to produce glucose, which fuels the brain and other tissues.[39] Studies have shown that carbohydrate digestion in young kittens is much less effective than that of a mature feline with a developed gastrointestinal tract.[40] Highly digestible carbohydrates found in commercial kitten food provide additional energy and fiber to stimulate the immature gut tissue. Soluble fiber such asbeet pulp is commonly used as a stool hardener and has been shown to strengthen intestinal muscles and thicken the gut mucosal layer, helping to prevent diarrhea.[41]
The lack of readily availableglucose from the limited carbohydrates in the diet has resulted in the liver adapting to produce glucose from the breakdown components of protein — amino acids. The enzymes that break down amino acids are constantly active in cats. Thus, cats need a constant source of protein in their diet.[24] Because they are constantly growing, kittens require an increased amount of protein to supply readily available amino acids for daily maintenance and for building new body components.[24] There are many required amino acids for kittens. A dietary level of approximately 0.3%histidine is necessary for kittens since histidine-free diets cause weight loss.[25]Tryptophan is required at about 0.15% as this level maximizes performance in kittens.[25] Kittens also need the following amino acids supplemented in their diet:arginine to avoid an excess ofammonia in the blood — otherwise known ashyperammonemia,isoleucine,leucine,valine,lysine,methionine as asulfur-containing amino acid,asparagine for maximal growth in the early post-weaning kitten,threonine, and taurine to prevent central retinal degeneration.[25]
Vitamin A is required in kitten diets because cats cannot convertcarotenes toretinol in the intestinal mucosa due to a lack of the necessary enzyme; therefore, this vitamin must be supplied in the diet.[24][42]Vitamin E is another required vitamin in kitten diets; deficiency leads to steatitis, causing the depot fat to become firm and yellow-orange in colour, which is painful and leads to death.[42] Also,vitamin D is essential because cats cannot convert it from precursors in the skin.[24]
Cats can synthesizeniacin, but its breakdown exceeds the rate at which it can be synthesized, so they have a higher requirement for it, which can be fulfilled through an animal-based diet.[24]Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is required in increased amounts because it is essential for amino acid metabolism.[24]Vitamin B12 is an AAFCO-recommended vitamin that is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates and protein, supports the nervous system and mucous membranes, contributes to muscle and heart function, and promotes normal growth and development.[42]Choline is also an AAFCO-recommended ingredient for kittens; it is important forneurotransmission in the brain and serves as a component of membranephospholipids.[24]Biotin (vitamin B7) is another AAFCO-recommended vitamin that supports the thyroid and adrenal glands as well as the reproductive and nervous systems.[24] Kittens also requireriboflavin (vitamin B2) for heart health,pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), andfolacin (vitamin B9).[42]
Since kitten diets are very high incalories, ingredients must be implemented to ensure adequate digestion and utilization of these calories.Choline chloride is an ingredient that maintains fatmetabolism.[42] Biotin and niacin are also active in the metabolism of fats,carbs, and protein.[42] Riboflavin is also necessary for the digestion of fats and carbohydrates.[42] These are the main metabolic aids incorporated into kitten diets to maximize nutrient utilization.
A combination of essential nutrients is used to satisfy the overall growth and development of the kitten's body. Nonetheless, many ingredients that kittens do not require are also included in diet formulations to promote healthy growth and development; these ingredients include: dried egg as a source of high-quality protein and fatty acids,flax seeds — which are rich in omega−3 fatty acids and aid in digestion,calcium carbonate as a source ofcalcium, andcalcium pantothenate (vitamin B5) — which acts as acoenzyme in the conversion of amino acids and is important for healthy skin.[42]
Antioxidants help support the development of a healthy immune system by preventing theoxidation of essential molecules in a growing kitten.[24] Antioxidants in kitten diets can be derived from plant ingredients such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach, as well as fromdietary supplements likevitamin E andzinc proteinate.
Kittens require a high-calorie diet that contains more protein than the diet of adult cats.[43] Young orphaned kittens require cat milk every two to four hours, and they need physical stimulation to defecate and urinate.[6] Cat milk replacer is manufactured to feed young kittens becausecow's milk does not provide all the necessary nutrients.[44] Human-reared kittens tend to be very affectionate with humans as adults and sometimes more dependent on them than kittens reared by their mothers, but they can also show volatile mood swings and aggression.[45]
Depending on the age at which they were orphaned and how long they were without their mothers, these kittens may be severely underweight and can have health problems later in life, such as heart conditions. The compromised immune system of orphaned kittens — due to the absence of antibodies normally found in the mother's milk — can make them especially susceptible to infections, often necessitating antibiotics.[46]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
| National | |
|---|---|
| Other | |
