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Developmental Periods in Cats

Neonatal Period

Birth-2 weeks

1

Neonatal

Birth-2 weeks

Ingestion

Normal at this stage:

- Diet entirely milk

To do's for caregivers:

- Provide high quality nutrition for queen or

kitten formula

Ingestion

Social

Normal at this stage:

- Minimal social interaction

To do's for caregivers:

- Minimal but gentle handling

Social

Elimination

Normal at this stage:

- Stimulated by mother

To do's for caregivers:

- None unless ill or failure to thrive

Elimination

Other

Normal at this stage:

- Eyes open, walking by 14 days, can't

regulate body temperature

To do's for caregivers:

- Provide warm, safe environmet

Other

Early Socialization

3-8 weeks

2

Early Socialization

3-8 weeks

Ingestion

Normal at this stage:

- Begins to eat solid food, gradually ceases

milk consumption

To do's for caregivers:

- Provide high quality kitten food and fresh

water daily

Ingestion

Social

Normal at this stage:

- Sensitive period for social learning

- Social play begins and increases steadily

- Learns many social skills

To do's for caregivers:

- Frequent gentle handling and play with

varied people including men, women, and

supervised children

- Expose to other cats and species while

ensuring safety

- Take kitten socialization classes if available

- Reward appropriate friendly behavior to

humans and all other animals

Elimination

Normal at this stage:

- Develops control of bladder and bowel

function

- Begins to use litter box

To do's for caregivers:

- Provide litter boxes with low sides for easy

entry

- Scoop litter boxes twice daily

- Use unscented litter

Elimination

Other

Normal at this stage:

- Object play begins and increases

- Climbing and running begin

- Capable of complex learning

- Scratching and predatory behavior begin

- Eye color changes

- All baby teeth erupt

- Can regulate body temperature

- Begins to groom self

To do's for caregivers:

- Enrich environment including toys

- Kitten-proof home

- Expose to novel objects and locations

- Make the carrier a safe haven

- Begin tooth brushing

- Gently examine ears, teeth, nails

- Groom

- Provide scratching post

- Begin training to harness and leash

- Begin training to sit, come, etc.

Late Socialization

9-16 weeks

3

Late Socialization

9-16 weeks

Ingestion

Normal at this stage:

- Eating solid food

To do's for caregivers:

- No change

Ingestion

Social

Normal at this stage:

- Continues to learn social skills

- Social play peaks

- Social conflict over status may emerge

To do's for caregivers:

- Continue social education

- If had no previous social education, initiate

slowly

Social

Elimination

Normal at this stage:

- Continues using litter box

To do's for caregivers:

- May need larger litter box, (minimum box

length 1.5 X cat’s body length)

Elimination

Other

Normal at this stage:

- Vigorous exploration of the environment

and climbing, begins to lose baby teeth

To do's for caregivers:

- Provide vertical space (e.g.,climbing

structures)

- Continue basic training

Other

Adolescence

17 weeks-1 year

4

Adolescence

17 weeks-1 year

Ingestion

Normal at this stage:

- No change

To do's for caregivers:

- Start transition to high quality adult food

at 6-8 months of age

- Provide food puzzles and food toys

Ingestion

Social

Normal at this stage:

- Sexual maturity if not sterilized

- Social play lessens

- Likely to be subordinate to larger adults

but may challenge these cats for status

To do's for caregivers:

- Continue to play with and reward friendly

behavior

- Contact veterinarian if serious conflicts

arise

Elimination

Normal at this stage:

- Spraying may occur, less likely if spayed or

neutered

To do's for caregivers:

- Reevaluate litter box size

- Contact vet if spraying or inappropriate

elimination occurs

Elimination

Other

Normal at this stage:

- If allowed outdoor access, may wander

farther and for longer periods than before

To do's for caregivers:

- Provide identification (e.g.,microchip or

break-away collar and tag), especially if cat

goes outdoors

Other

Adult

1-6 years

5

Adult

1-6 years

Ingestion

Normal at this stage:

- Metabolic rate slows, may gain weight if

diet and exercise not monitored

To do's for caregivers:

- Reassess body condition and food intake

every 3 months, encourage exercise.

Ingestion

Social

Normal at this stage:

- Matures socially at approximately 2-3

years, personality strongly affected by

genetics and early experience, social play

decreases but may continue given an

available playmate.

To do's for caregivers:

- Continue to play with and reward friendly

behavior

Social

Elimination

Normal at this stage:

- If intact male, urine odor becomes strong

To do's for caregivers:

- Reevaluate litter box size, contact vet if

spraying or inappropriate elimination

occurs

Elimination

Other

Normal at this stage:

- Nothing

To do's for caregivers:

- Rotate toys for self play, replace equipment

and supplies such as beds and litter boxes

as needed

Other

Adult

7 years and older

6

Adult

7 years and older

Ingestion

Normal at this stage:

- Changes in appetite can occur

To do's for caregivers:

- Monitor appetite and water intake

- Contact vet if increases or decreases

Ingestion

Social

Normal at this stage:

- Decreased activity may lead to decreased

social interaction

To do's for caregivers:

- Continue social interaction—even if lower

activity level is warranted

Social

Elimination

To do's for caregivers:

- Contact veterinarian if elimination concerns occur or persist

Elimination

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