Preparing For Your Litter




Did you know that a cat's gestation period (amount of time the kitty is pregnant) is approximately 63 days?



A few weeks before the kittens are due, introduce the mother cat to her nursing box. A good box is one made out of sturdy cardboard completely intact with a hole cut on the long side of the box large enough for the mother cat to go out and in, but high enough so that when the kittens start moving about, they are safe and snug inside the box. Be sure that the box has plenty of clean bedding for your litter and that it is changed often.

We have always placed the box inside our closet where it is out of the way of household traffic and where it is quiet and safe for the mother cat to deliver and nurse her kittens.



When the kittens are born, their eyes are closed and probably will not fully open for about a week. Kittens eye color start out as blue but when they get older, the color may change.



Some kittens are born with their full colorful coat, but not the Siamese breed. Siamese kittens are born pure white but within a short period of time, you will start to see their point color (ears, tail, mask, paws) start to show. We have always tried to figure out what color Siamese we had at the beginning - if we had seal points, blue points, lilac points or chocolate points. Sometimes we guessed right but there were many times we guessed wrong!! Siamese kittens eyes start out as blue and will stay blue.


A Siamese Sealpoint Kitten





Purchasing A Kitten From A Breeder





Should you want a special breed of cat, a cat breeder may be your answer. To choose your kitten, here is a good guideline to follow. Even if you are not purchasing a kitty but are being given one or getting one from your local shelter, these points are still very important when choosing your new kitten or adult cat:

The kitten or adult cat should be healthy.

The kitten or adult cat should have clear eyes and clean ears.

The kitten or adult cat should be free of parasites.

The kitten or adult should have all vaccinations before you take him home.

If you are choosing a kitten, it should be playful and energetic.

The kitten or adult cat should be friendly, social and affectionate.

If you are purchasing the kitten from a breeder, you may also ask to see the mother to be sure she is healthy, social and is a good example of the breed standard.

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