Kittens (Old English diminutive of cat) are juvenile domesticated cats (Felis catus) that are not fully-grown.

The young of species in the genus Panthera and of some other big cats are called cubs rather than kittens. Either term may be used for the young of smaller wild felids such as ocelots, caracals, and lynx, but "kitten" is usually more common for these species. Though the term primarily refers to young cats, it can also be used when talking about rats, rabbits, hedgehogs, beavers, squirrels and skunks.

Cute as can be, kittens are playful, mischevious, and ever-curious. They are often loving, but are known to scratch or bite when annoyed. Kittens are the most popular pets in the United States--37% of American households have at least one cat. Whether it is for their gentle purr or their disarming appearance, kittens are beloved animals.

A litter of kittens usually consists of two to five kittens. They are born after a gestation that lasts between 64-67 days, with an average length of 66 days. Kittens emerge in a sac called the amnion which is bitten off and eaten by the mother cat. For the first several weeks, kittens are unable to urinate or defecate without being stimulated by their mother. They are also unable to regulate their body temperature for the first three weeks, so kittens born in temperatures less than 27 °C (80 °F) can die from exposure if they are not kept warm by their mother. The mother's milk is very important for the kittens' nutrition and proper growth; so if possible, the kitten should not be taken from their mother for at least 5 to 6 weeks after birth. This milk transfers antibodies to the kittens, which helps protect them against infectious disease. Newborn kittens are also unable to produce concentrated urine, so have a very high requirement for fluids.

Kittens open their eyes about seven to ten days following birth. At first, the retina is poorly-developed and vision is poor. Kittens are not able to see as well as adult cats until about ten weeks after birth.

Kittens develop very quickly from about two weeks of age until their seventh week. Their coordination and strength improve, they play-fight with their litter-mates, and begin to explore the world outside the nest. They learn to wash themselves and others as well as play hunting and stalking games, showing their inborn ability as predators. These innate skills are developed by the kittens' mother or other adult cats bringing live prey to the nest. Later, the adult cats also demonstrate hunting techniques for the kittens to emulate.

As they reach three to four weeks old, the kittens are gradually weaned and begin to eat solid food, with weaning usually complete by six to eight weeks. Kittens live primarily on solid food after weaning, but 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 approach sexual maturity.

The gender of kittens is usually easy to determine within the age of approximately six to eight weeks, although it is possible to do so sooner. The male's urethral opening is round, whereas the female's is a slit. Another marked difference is the distance between anus and urethral opening, which is greater in males than in females.

Kittens are highly social animals and spend most of their waking hours interacting with available animals and playing. 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. Kittens are vulnerable to harm because they like to find dark places to hide; with sometimes fatal results if they are not watched carefully. Although domestic kittens are commonly sent to new homes at six to eight weeks of age, it has been suggested that being with its mother and litter mates from six to twelve weeks is important for a kitten's social and behavioural development. Usually, breeders will not sell a kitten that is younger than twelve weeks, and in many jurisdictions, it is illegal to give away kittens younger than eight weeks old.

Most veterinarians recommend that kittens be vaccinated against common illnesses beginning at 2-3 months of age. The combination vaccination protects against Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), Feline calicivirus (C), and Feline panleukopenia (P) and is therefore called FVRCP. This inoculation is given at 8 weeks and 12 weeks with a third FVRCP and a rabies inoculation at 16 weeks. Cats can be spayed or neutered at approximately 7 months of age. Many veterinarians will spay or neuter kittens as young as 7 weeks and weighing at least 2 pounds (approx. 1 kg); the practice is particularly common in animal shelters. Such early spaying does not appear to have any long-term health risks to cats, and may even be beneficial in male cats. Kittens should also be wormed against roundworms at about 4 weeks.

Kittens require a high-calorie diet that contains more protein than the diet of adult cats. From weaning until about one year of age they should be fed a diet specifically formulated for kittens. Orphaned kittens too young to eat solid food may be fed a cat milk replacement formula every two to four hours. Kittens should not be fed cow's milk because it does not provide all of the necessary nutrients. Cats are generally intolerant of sugars in their diets and both sucrose (table sugar) and lactose are not digested and cause soft stools or diarrhea. Orphaned kittens that are not urinating or defecating must be stimulated to do so after each meal by rubbing with a warm, damp washcloth at the base of their spine where the tail begins. This is vital to the kitten's survival.

However, while it is possible to rear kittens by hand, it is best to leave a kitten with its mother if at all possible. Hand-reared kittens tend to be very affectionate and more dependent on humans as adults, but can also show volatile mood swings and aggression. If a kitten develops diarrhea, it is best to seek advice from a veterinarian. The kitten may need to be de-wormed with a de-wormer at 6-8 weeks old and then again 2 weeks later.

Reproduction and Maturity of Kittens and Cats
The domestic cat usually reaches puberty at around nine or ten months of age. A sexually mature female cat goes into heat, or estrus, several times a year; during estrus, she is both receptive to, and attractive to, male cats. The gestation period of the cat is about 65 days; the average litter consists of 4 kittens. Kittens are born blind, deaf, and helpless. Their eyes open at 8 to 10 days of age, and they begin to be weaned about 6 weeks after birth.

Now for the longer version with definitions:
Baby Teeth - A cat's baby teeth grow to full size by about eight weeks, and at five to six months they are replaced by permanent ones.

Calling - You've probably heard the sound of a female feline in heat. It's a continuous yowling that she emits until a male cat gets her message.

Dam - a mother cat

Heat - The period in which a cat is capable of becoming pregnant. The number of daylight hours determines the cat's cycle. Most females begin to go into heat in February or March, and continue every two or three weeks until the days begin to get shorter in the fall. Approximately 14 hours of daylight are usually needed to trigger the cycle.

Kitten - A young cat up to 9 months of age.

Kitten Heap - The average kitten weighs 3.5 ounce and must be kept warm if it is to survive. Kittens sleep in a clump, which provides warmth and a sense of security. When the top kitten becomes too cool, it slides off and burrows underneath the others for warmth. This is repeated as each top kitten becomes chilled. The kitten heap prevents any one kitten from becoming too cold to survive.

Lactation - The production of milk by the mother cat.

Litter - The kittens born approximately nine weeks after mating. An average first litter is three to four kittens. Subsequent litters will contain four or more.

Mating - Cats are mature enough to mate by age one and can continue to reproduce for many years - until age 12 for females and 16 for males is considered normal.

Neuter - To castrate a male cat to prevent the breeding of unwanted kittens. Unneutered males are more antisocial and aggressive than neutered males, who have a longer life expectancy. The vet will do this surgery at about eight to ten months.

Queen - a breeding female cat.

Tom - a non-neutered male cat.

Tomcat - a male cat.

Sire - the male parent of a litter

Skin - The skin on a kitten is loose so that the mother can carry her offspring in her teeth. When a cat grows, the skin stays loose. This is an aid to the flexible skeleton and muscle combination. When grabbed by a predator, this loose skin enables the cat to escape and only lose some fur.

Spay - To surgically remove the ovaries and womb of a female cat to prevent breeding.

Now that the definitions are out of the way, here's a bit more information:

Pregnancy: A queen is pregnant for 9 weeks, or from 57-70 days.

About two weeks before she is due to give birth, a pregnant queen begins to look for a good place for her nest. An outdoor cat will find a secluded place in a shed, hayloft, or under thick, sturdy brushes.

Birthing: The entire birthing process may last several hours or longer depending on the number of kittens and how quickly each one is born. At birth, each domestic kitten is about 5 inches long and weighs between 2 and 4 ounces...

Right after the kittens are born, the mothers will clean them up and start to nurse them.

Kittens are born blind, deaf, and helpless. They must stay warm in order to survive.

Growing and Maturing: Birth to 10 days: Kittens are virtually helpless. Primary focus is eating and staying warm.

Between 10 and 14 days: Eyes and ears open, allowing kittens to become more responsive to their world. Kittens can be exposed to gentle handling and new sounds. Kittens begin to stand and walk, and "baby teeth" appear.

Day 14 to Week 14: Referred to as the socialization phase, this is the most sensitive period for learning to form social relationships. Especially up to 7 weeks, kittens should have many positive experiences with humans, other cats and other species.

Week 3: Kittens are able to eliminate without aid of queen.

Between Weeks 3 and 4: Kittens eat first solid food. Weaning begins during this period and is usually complete by 7 weeks. Kittens progress from walking to running.

Week 4: Kittens begin to dig or rake in any loose, particulate matter they encounter, a behavior important to later litter box use. The first signs of predatory behavior appear.

Week 14: Running, jumping and climbing skills become more refined and efficient. Growth continues, but at a slower rate.

Between Months 6 and 12: Sexual maturity is reached. Secondary sex characteristics appear. Territorial behavior and behaviors associated with mating appear.

Kittens/Cats can mate before 1 year of age, but it is better not to. Owners of cats are warned to keep their adolescent kittens indoors and away from the opposite sex until 1 year of age.

Choosing your Kitten
Snow Marble Kittens bred by Tansdale Turkish Vans and Bengals.

The first thing to consider when choosing your kitten is if you are looking for a family companion or a cat that you intend to show or breed in future.

If you are looking for a family pet, then the most important consideration will be temperament and health. If you are looking for a cat to show or breed let the breeder know this when you first enquire to be sure they have suitable kittens for you to view. A breeding or show cat should meet the breed standard showing no obvious faults.

When choosing your kitten, you should also take into consideration the type of home it comes from and it's mother's state of health. Do not buy a kitten from a breeder that will not let you see the mother cat. In pedigree cats, the mother cat should also be a true representative of the breed.

A healthy kitten will have bright and shiny eyes, glossy coat, clean bottom and an alert demeanour. Ears should also be clean, nose cool and damp without any nasal discharge with pale pink mouth and gums.

Feeding Guidelines
Kittens like adult cats require wholesome, high-protein food and a constant supply of water. Food is served more frequently with kittens than with adult cats. Food and water bowls should be kept clean at all times.

Below I've listed some general feeding guidelines for your new kitten sorted by age.
Age 3-5 Months: 5 to 4 meals daily
Age 6-8 Months: 3 to 4 meals daily
Age 9-12 Months: 3 meals daily

Kittens should be feed tinned or fresh food as part of a balanced diet with quality kitten dry cat food from a reputable manufacturer left down at all times to graze on.

Your reward for feeding your kitten a well-balanced diet is a healthy beautiful adult cat.

Toileting
Pedigree kittens are fully litter trained from a very early age. With any kitten irrespective of breed to avoid accidents it is absolutely vital that for the early days and weeks in a new home, the kitten is aware at all times where the litter tray is. In a new environment, the kitten may not be able to find the litter tray alone especially with a home with two or more floors and several rooms. It is important that the kitten is restricted to one area for the first few weeks and only allowed into other areas of your home under supervision.

Once your kitten has been allowed to roam freely, always keep a watchful eye and keep taking your new kitten back to it's litter tray at regular intervals. If you are living in a very large house on multiple floors, it is advisable to have a litter tray on every floor.

When your new kitten first arrives home, it is also advisable to use the same cat litter as your breeder while your kitten settles in. Later you can gradually change this to a brand of your choice. The litter tray should also be kept clean at all times. Changing all or some of the litter tray contents daily is recommended to avoid accidents. Cats will quickly find an alternative site to use as a toilet if the tray is not cleaned daily.

Settling In
On arrival home with your new kitten, place the kitten while still in the carrier in a suitable warm room where the kitten can be safely kept for a few days. Let the kitten come out to explore in it's own time. Make sure there is a litter tray in the room and that the kitten knows exactly where it is. The kitten's room should also have a bowl of food and water kept a suitable distance from the litter tray. Cats are reluctant to use a litter tray that is too close to the cat's food. Let your new kitten come to you in it's own time.

Getting to know your Kitten
Turkish Van Kittens bred by Tansdale Turkish Vans and Bengals.

It can take days or even weeks to establish a relationship with a kitten so please be patient. Kittens need time to bond with you and before long your new kitten will become your best friend.

For the first few weeks, your kitten shouldn't be allowed to roam your home unsupervised when you are not there. You should put your kitten back in their own room with their litter tray, food and water. Make sure your new kitten also has a comfortable bed or basket to sleep in with some toys to play with.

It may be worth considering obtaining two kittens from your breeder especially if you will be out of the home for most of the day. This way they will always have a constant playmate and two cats can exercise each other far more effectively than you can.

Please remember that your new kitten should be kept indoors at all times and shouldn't be allowed outdoors until they are old enough to cope with outdoor life.