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The Developing Cat
How your cat devops from kitten to cat. As your kitten grows from kitten to a cat teenager to a mature cat, there can be developmental roadblocks. Most of these roadblocks are on our side, not the cats side! Here, we will explore how your cat develops, what happens and what your cat needs to become the cat you want it to be, not a "little tiger" in your home. Toddler and Childhood of Kittens
When the milk teeth fall out and the new teeth grow in (no later than 4 months) your cat is in the childhood stage. This stage is exhibited by fast growth, exploring the environment and bonding with people. Your cat will need vaccinations, high-protein food, and lots of training. Your cat will need to learn to be groomed and handled, will need to learn what it is allowed to do in the home, and will need to learn to play with you in a safe manner. Kitten Vaccinations and HealthcareYou will want to get your new kitten to the vet as soon as possible to begin vaccinations. These include Feline Leukemia (FeLV), Feline Distemper and Rabies. Every cat should have a basic Rabies series, even if it doesn't go out. These vaccinations come in a series of 3 vaccinations over the first year. The vet can also advise you on particular breed-specific problems you may not be aware of, such as diabetes or kidney problems.Spay and NeuterYour cat can be spayed or neutered as early as 12 weeks, and may begin to breed before 6 months. It's up to you, of course, but if you can keep your cat under control for one year, your male cat will get his jowls and both sexes will fill out and build good musculature. There is a recent study on this topic. They recommend early spay/neuter, and tell you what parts of your cat's maturity will be ignored by early spay or neuter. You can read the Winn Report yourself and make up your own mind. But please consider getting your cat taken care of before it breeds.GroomingAs a toddler, it is important to start a grooming regimen with your cat. By brushing, bathing and trimming the claws on a regular basis now, you train the cat to accept these activities. You should be able to handle your cat gently and thoroughly, touching all parts of it's body. You need to be checking for lumps, bumps, mats, growths and general health during these sessions. If your cat suddenly gains of loses weight, for instance, the hair covers the fact until it is pretty drastic. By handling your cat regluarly, you can feel the increase or decrease in girth before it becomes apparent by sight.Bonding and Other PetsAs a child-kitty, your cat is bonding with you in a special way. Most cats bond especially strong with one person and yours is picking its person. They will easily accept dogs or other pets at this time. They are playful with the most laid-back of dogs and will entice other animals to chase it. Your kitten won't realize that the dog down the street likes to eat cats, so be protective of your cat. Your kitten needs to be taught which animals are "safe" to play with. Keep your cat indoors at night if you plan on an indoor-outdoor kitty. If you have a kitten that develops colors, or "points" you will see those develop by 6 months.Toys and Play
Birds in cages will have a special draw for the cat. Be sure to keep the cage securely closed. Give your kitten one of the Heard That Bird? Cat Toys to draw it's attention elsewhere. Fish tanks can provide hours of entertainment. You may also discover that your kitten likes to watch TV with you. Pay close attention to what your cat responds to. My experience has been that cartoons - especially black and white line drawing cartoons - provide the most enjoyment to kittens. Start to mix adult food with kitten food at this time. Increase the amount of food you give your kitten, and cut feeding times to twice a day. Your cat should remain on this schedule for life. You can cut litterboxes in half - less kitty boxes in the house, but still clean them daily. Teenager StageThe "teenager" stage is very trying on a household. The stage starts at about 5-7 months old and goes to almost a year old. Your new cat is into everything. It tries the boundaries, will willfully misbehave, and will stretch itself to control of the household. These gangly kitties chase invisible mice, attack everything that moves and generally are a pain! Patience, please. Remember that your cat is growing up and will grow out of it.Try to work with your cat, keep it safe and let it explore the world and come to dominate what it can. You have a wild animal in your home, and this is the time you will really see that heritage. These cats are learning to hunt in a big way. They are learning how to dominate without killing. They are learning how to be a domestic cat. Play a lot with your kitten now. New toys, Tickler Wands and other interactive toys and catnip can be introduced. Your kitten may not care for catnip yet, but will be drawn to it in some inexplicable way. FeedingFood should be given in accordance with package directions, and be sure they get enough clean water. The cat should be off kitten food and on adult food by the time it is 8 months old. If there are any special issues with your cat's diet, your veterinarian will be able to recommend something now. Often, hairballs begin to develop during this stage, and a good hairball remedy should be kept on hand.Litter Box ChangesA single litterbox per cat is fine once your cat is this age. Your kitten should have full control of bladder and bowels. If accidents happen, don't yell or scream or try to discipline your cat. It was an accident. Just clean up, deodorize the spot and go on.Training Issues and DisciplineAny discipline problems you allow now will be very hard to change later. A firm hand is necessary, but don't hit or abuse the cat. It is learning the house rules as well. It will seem at times that the cat is ignoring everything. Not so, the cat is just taking things in and using what it feels like using and pushing you on everything else. This is why I call this time the "teenage" period. Just as a human teenager is growing into adulthood and pushing the envelope, so the cat is pushing to see where the final boundaries of living with you reside.
This teenage period usually only lasts 4 months. After that, you will have a cat you can love and who will love you for years. If you have chosen a kitten, please know that this is coming, and enjoy this stage while you go through it. By the time the cat is 10 or 11 months old, you will see the cat it will become start to show through. The body will be slight, and bones not too brittle, and the cat will be very playful, but the underlying cat is formed. By the time the cat is one year old, you have a cat formed, educated and ready for life. The body will continue to fill out and muscles strenghten for another 6 months or so, unless it is a Maine Coon, which does all this in slow motion and finally becomes an adult at 4 years.
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