Bengal Kitten Development
WEEK 1
◾A kitten is born blind, deaf and toothless.
◾They sleep most of their day and night.
◾Kittens can not regulate their own body temperature, so they need mom to keep them consistently warm, or artificial warmth, like a heating pad or heat lamp.
◾They need stimulation from mom to remove their wastes.
◾Their senses of touch at birth.
◾They have a strong sucking reflex, and tend to suckle almost around the clock for 36 hours.
◾Kittens grow when they are sleeping.
◾By the end of the week, their hearing is much more developed and will continue to become clearer.
◾By day 3-5 their umbilical cord will fall off.
◾By the end of the week they can get around slightly.
WEEK 2
◾Kitten start to open their eyes, but their eyesight isn’t fully developed yet. Their eyes are blue.
◾Their sense of smell is developing.
◾They may prefer one nipple over another.
◾Some start to purr.
◾By the end of week 2 their body weight should have doubled.
WEEK 3
◾They can purr.
◾They are busy working on balance and walking.
◾By the end of the week, many can climb in and out of bed.
◾They can find mom without relying totally on the sense of smell.
WEEK 4
◾Kittens are “experts” at walking, running and playing. Toys are certainly a fascination at this stage.
◾They also are interested in the litter box
◾Their sense of smell and hearing is well developed.
◾Mom still gives them their grooming time, but they are starting the cleanliness regime for themselves.
◾They can drink water now, but still continue to nurse.
◾Their eyesight is improving, but will only be fully developed in a month or so.
◾They can snack on mushy food.
WEEK 5
◾Kittens are much more stealthy, ready to pounce on their brothers and sisters. They are trying out their “stealthy” moves and play rather hard.
◾They become interested in “big kitty food”
◾They start grooming themselves.
WEEK 6
◾First veterinarian check up, vaccinations and deworming is done.
◾They should have most of their baby teeth.
◾Socialization with people is a must at this age. We don’t want to overwhelm the kittens at this stage, but we need them to know that people are friends, too. According to the Human Society, “kittens that are held and played with for 15 – 40 min. a day for the first 7 weeks, develop bigger brains, are more exploratory, more playful and better learners!” All are perfectly wonderful reasons for them to stay with their family a little longer.
They are starting to develop an adult – like sleeping pattern.
WEEK 7 – 11
◾The kittens have been drinking water for quite some time.
◾They play hard and sleep hard.
◾They start “strategizing” in their play – with ambushes and pouncing.
◾They start to “toss”, “hold”, “bat” and “chew” on toys.
◾They are starting to climb EVERYTHING – including pant legs!
◾The kittens are still growing!
WEEK 12 - 14
◾According to the Humane Society, kittens should stay with their littermates until 12 weeks of age. If they leave too early, poor social skills and possible aggression can occur.
◾Kittens can go to their new homes at 12 weeks, if they are being picked up and 13-14 weeks if they are flying.
◾They will be accompanied with information from the vet, their health card and special blanket that smells like mom!
WEEK 1
◾A kitten is born blind, deaf and toothless.
◾They sleep most of their day and night.
◾Kittens can not regulate their own body temperature, so they need mom to keep them consistently warm, or artificial warmth, like a heating pad or heat lamp.
◾They need stimulation from mom to remove their wastes.
◾Their senses of touch at birth.
◾They have a strong sucking reflex, and tend to suckle almost around the clock for 36 hours.
◾Kittens grow when they are sleeping.
◾By the end of the week, their hearing is much more developed and will continue to become clearer.
◾By day 3-5 their umbilical cord will fall off.
◾By the end of the week they can get around slightly.
WEEK 2
◾Kitten start to open their eyes, but their eyesight isn’t fully developed yet. Their eyes are blue.
◾Their sense of smell is developing.
◾They may prefer one nipple over another.
◾Some start to purr.
◾By the end of week 2 their body weight should have doubled.
WEEK 3
◾They can purr.
◾They are busy working on balance and walking.
◾By the end of the week, many can climb in and out of bed.
◾They can find mom without relying totally on the sense of smell.
WEEK 4
◾Kittens are “experts” at walking, running and playing. Toys are certainly a fascination at this stage.
◾They also are interested in the litter box
◾Their sense of smell and hearing is well developed.
◾Mom still gives them their grooming time, but they are starting the cleanliness regime for themselves.
◾They can drink water now, but still continue to nurse.
◾Their eyesight is improving, but will only be fully developed in a month or so.
◾They can snack on mushy food.
WEEK 5
◾Kittens are much more stealthy, ready to pounce on their brothers and sisters. They are trying out their “stealthy” moves and play rather hard.
◾They become interested in “big kitty food”
◾They start grooming themselves.
WEEK 6
◾First veterinarian check up, vaccinations and deworming is done.
◾They should have most of their baby teeth.
◾Socialization with people is a must at this age. We don’t want to overwhelm the kittens at this stage, but we need them to know that people are friends, too. According to the Human Society, “kittens that are held and played with for 15 – 40 min. a day for the first 7 weeks, develop bigger brains, are more exploratory, more playful and better learners!” All are perfectly wonderful reasons for them to stay with their family a little longer.
They are starting to develop an adult – like sleeping pattern.
WEEK 7 – 11
◾The kittens have been drinking water for quite some time.
◾They play hard and sleep hard.
◾They start “strategizing” in their play – with ambushes and pouncing.
◾They start to “toss”, “hold”, “bat” and “chew” on toys.
◾They are starting to climb EVERYTHING – including pant legs!
◾The kittens are still growing!
WEEK 12 - 14
◾According to the Humane Society, kittens should stay with their littermates until 12 weeks of age. If they leave too early, poor social skills and possible aggression can occur.
◾Kittens can go to their new homes at 12 weeks, if they are being picked up and 13-14 weeks if they are flying.
◾They will be accompanied with information from the vet, their health card and special blanket that smells like mom!
