KITTEN CARE | The CatsCrib Cattery

Day 1

A one-day-old Ragdoll kitten is still in the early stages of its life and is entirely dependent on its mother for survival. At this stage, the kitten's primary activities are sleeping, nursing, and staying close to its mother.

Newborn kittens typically sleep for about 90% of the day, and the rest of the time they spend nursing. Nursing is crucial for the kitten's growth and development, as it provides essential nutrients and antibodies that help to build the kitten's immune system.

A one-day-old kitten's eyes and ears are still closed, and it is unable to see or hear. Its sense of touch, however, is well-developed, and it relies on this sense to find its mother and nurse.

The kitten's mother will take care of all its needs at this stage, including cleaning and grooming it. The mother will lick the kitten's genital area to stimulate its bladder and bowels to eliminate waste, and will also keep the kitten warm by cuddling with it.

week 1

At one week old, kittens are still very vulnerable and depend entirely on their mother for survival. They spend most of their time sleeping, nursing, and cuddling with their littermates. They are not yet able to see or hear, and their eyes and ears remain closed. Their sense of touch is the most developed, and they use it to find their mother's nipple and cling to it for milk.

Kittens at one week old may begin to crawl around a little bit, but their movements are still very uncoordinated. They will also start to gain weight rapidly, as they are growing at a fast rate during this period.

At this stage, it is crucial to handle the kittens very gently and only when necessary, as they are still fragile and vulnerable. It is also important to monitor their health closely and watch for any signs of illness, such as lethargy, lack of appetite, or abnormal behavior.

First Month

During the first month of a kitten's life, they undergo significant growth and development. Here are some things that kittens typically do during their first month:

Nursing: Kittens continue to rely on their mother's milk for nourishment during their first month of life. They will nurse frequently, usually every 2-3 hours, and may gain as much as half an ounce of weight per day.
Eyes and ears open: Around 2 weeks of age, kittens' eyes and ears begin to open, allowing them to start experiencing the world around them. At first, their vision and hearing are not very developed, but they will improve quickly over the coming weeks.
Crawling and exploring: As their vision and coordination improve, kittens become more mobile and start to crawl around their nest. They will also start to interact with their littermates more, playing and grooming each other.
Developing teeth: By the end of the first month, kittens will have started to develop their first teeth. They may start to nibble on solid food at this point, but they will still be nursing for the majority of their nutrition.
Learning from their mother: Kittens learn a lot from their mother during their first month of life, including social skills and grooming habits. They will also start to use the litter box, following their mother's lead.

Overall, the first month of a kitten's life is a critical period of growth and development. It is essential to provide them with a warm and safe environment, plenty of food and water, and lots of love and attention from their mother and human caretakers.

8 Weeks

At eight weeks old, a kitten is considered fully weaned and is ready to be separated from its mother and littermates. 8 Weeks is the absolutely earliest to separate a kitten. We often keep them until 12 weeks but on occasion depending on their development will let them go to their new homes after 8 weeks. Here are some things you can expect from an eight-week-old kitten:

Playful and energetic: Kittens at this age are full of energy and love to play. They are curious about the world around them and will explore everything they can get their paws on.
Socialization: Eight weeks is a critical time for socialization, and it's important to expose your kitten to a variety of people, animals, and environments to help them develop into a well-adjusted adult cat.
Food and water: At eight weeks old, kittens should be eating solid food and drinking water on their own. Make sure to provide them with high-quality kitten food and plenty of fresh water.
Litter box training: By eight weeks old, kittens should be using the litter box consistently. Make sure to provide a clean and accessible litter box for your kitten, and scoop it out daily.
Vet checkup: At six to eight weeks we will bring them to our vet so they can get their first round of shots, deworming medicine and also have the vet perform a full examination to make sure there are no health issues we have not spotted.
Bonding with humans: Eight-week-old kittens are at the perfect age to start bonding with their human family. Spend time playing and cuddling with your kitten to build a strong and loving relationship.

Overall, eight weeks is a fun and exciting time in a kitten's life. They are a bundle of energy at this age. With proper care and socialization, your kitten will grow up to be a happy and healthy adult cat.

8 to 12 Weeks

This is the age when you will receive your kitten from us. This is an exciting time! Kittens are always very nervous of a new environment so keep in mind it will take some time for your new kitten to adjust. Some kittens walk in the door like they own the place and some may run and hide. Each kitten is unique and different.

Create a safe and comfortable space: Set up a cozy space for your kitten to sleep, eat, and play. Make sure the area is free of hazards and has plenty of toys and scratching posts.
Introduce your kitten to their litter box: Show your kitten where the litter box is and encourage them to use it. Make sure to scoop it out daily and provide a clean and accessible litter box.
Feed your kitten high-quality kitten food: Make sure to provide your kitten with a high-quality kitten food that meets their nutritional needs. Follow the feeding instructions on the food label and provide fresh water at all times. We highly recommend using a water fountain. Before you bring your kitten home we will have a conversation about which food to feed your kitten. Ultimately its your decision and there are a lot of high quality food options for your kitten.
Schedule a vet visit: You will receive a health passport from us. You will need to continue your kittens vaccination schedule which would be due around the 14-15 weeks time. This will be your kittens third trip to vet and last round of vaccinations. Your vet can also give you advice on how to care for your kitten and answer any questions you may have.
We usually keep the kitten until 10 to 12 weeks if the kitten is still too attached to the mother or there are issues using the litter box or they start eating solid food late. Usually at 8 weeks old the mother pays little interest, they are eating on their own and using the litter box without issues.
Spend time bonding with your kitten: Spend time playing, cuddling, and interacting with your kitten to build a strong and loving bond. This will help your kitten feel more comfortable and secure in their new home.
Provide plenty of toys and scratching posts: Kittens love to play and scratch, so make sure to provide plenty of toys and scratching posts to keep them entertained and happy.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

3 Months to 12 Months

From 3 months to 12 months old, cats go through a significant period of growth and development. Here are some of the things you can expect your cat to do during this time:

Playtime: Kittens at this age are very playful and energetic. They will spend a lot of time running around, pouncing on toys, and exploring their environment. They are kittens for almost the first year and can be a handful at times. Have patience and enjoy the ride as eventually as they get older they will calm down.
Socialization: Your kitten will learn to socialize with other cats, animals, and people. It's important to expose your kitten to different social situations during this time so they can develop good social skills.
Litter box training: Kittens will typically be fully litter box trained by around 3 months old. If you notice any issues with litter box training, it's important to address them early on. It's very rare that cats don't use the litter box. If you notice your cat peeing or pooping outside the litter box frequently there may be something wrong. Contact us or your veterinarian.
You kitten should receive this final round of vaccinations including rabies vaccinations at 4 months and a conversation should be had with your veterinarian about being spayed or neutered.
Scratching: Your kitten will start to scratch more as they grow and develop. Providing them with appropriate scratching surfaces and training them to use them is important to protect your furniture. A good scratch post is key. If you provide them one when they are young your furniture and walls will thank you later.
Teething: Your kitten will start to lose their baby teeth around 4 months old and will have all their adult teeth by around 6 months old.
Growth: Your kitten will continue to grow and gain weight during this time. It's important to monitor their diet and provide them with appropriate nutrition to support their growth.
Outdoors: Ragdolls are a very docile breed and don't do well as outdoor cats. It's highly recommended if you let them outdoors to do so only supervised and on a harness. Catios are great if that's an option.

Spay & Neutering

It's important to have your kitten spayed or neutered. This is part of the agreement when receiving a kitten from us. This is a conversation you will have with your veterinarian and they will gladly answer any questions you have concerning the procedure. It's very routine and usually your kitten is back to normal the next day.