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A newborn cat brings endless love and laughter to any household. However, as a new kitten parent, it is important to understand that caring for a kitten is not just about feeding and playing with them. Kittens have specific dietary needs, and it is important to provide them with high-quality kitten food that meets their nutritional requirements. Regular grooming, vaccination, and preventive care are essential in keeping your kitten healthy and free from diseases. This guide will give you all the information you need to raise a healthy kitten and ensure that it grows into a happy and healthy adult cat.
Check out the below table to understand how a cat develops with time:
Age | Milestone |
5 to 6 months old | Sexual maturity |
8 months old | Full set of adult teeth |
9 months old | Comparable digestion ability to adult |
12 months old (female) and 18 months old (male) | Reach adult body weight |
Between 10 to 12 months of age | Energy requirements go down to adult levels |
Want to know how old your cat is in human years? Check out the below table and find out:
| Life stage | Cat age | Cat age in human years |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten | 0 to 1 month old | 0 to 1 years old |
| 2 months old | 2 years old | |
| 3 months old | 4 years old | |
| 4 months old | 6 years old | |
| 5 months old | 8 years old | |
| 6 months old | 10 years old | |
| Junior | 7 months old | 12 years old |
| 12 months old | 15 years old | |
| 18 months old | 21 years old | |
| 2 years old | 24 years old | |
| Adult | 3 years old | 28 years old |
| 4 years old | 32 years old | |
| 5 years old | 36 years old | |
| 6 years old | 40 years old | |
| Mature | 7 years old | 44 years old |
| 8 years old | 48 years old | |
| 9 years old | 52 years old | |
| 10 years old | 56 years old | |
| Senior | 11 years old | 60 years old |
| 12 years old | 64 years old | |
| 13 years old | 68 years old | |
| 14 years old | 72 years old | |
| Super senior | 15 years old | 76 years old |
| 16 years old | 80 years old | |
| 17 years old | 84 years old | |
| 18 years old | 88 years old | |
| 19 years old | 92 years old | |
| 20 years old | 96 years old | |
| 21 years old | 100 years old | |
| 22 years old | 104 years old | |
| 23 years old | 108 years old | |
| 24 years old | 112 years old | |
| 25 years old | 116 years old |
In conclusion, raising a healthy kitten requires a lot of care and attention, but with the right knowledge and commitment, you can ensure that your kitten grows into a happy and healthy adult cat. Always consult your veterinarian for any questions or concerns, and don't hesitate to seek advice or guidance. With the right care and love, your kitten will bring you years of joy and companionship.
Signs of a healthy kitten include clear eyes, a clean coat, and a healthy appetite. It should also have a high-energy level to stay active. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian can also ensure your kitten is in good health.
Regular veterinary check-ups, proper nutrition and exercise as well as keeping up with vaccinations and preventative care are important for maintaining your kitten's health.
Kittens can be susceptible to a variety of health issues, including upper respiratory infections, worms, as well as flea and tick infestations. They can also develop chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease later in life.
Kittens are vulnerable to a variety of health issues, but with proper care and regular veterinary check-ups, they can stay healthy.
Kittens do need to drink water to stay hydrated, but the exact amount will vary depending on factors such as their age, size, and activity level. Consult with a veterinarian for specific recommendations.
Author: Dr. Siti Zaenab
Most owners understand that protein is one of the key nutrients that cats need to thrive and stay healthy, but what many may not fully realize is just how important it is for their long-term wellbeing. Protein is a cat’s primary energy source, and cats need more protein than other domestic animals like dogs and even people. In order to fuel their bodies and nervous systems, cats require more than 50% of their dietary calories to come from protein.
Cats then break the protein down into 11 specific amino acids, which are also known as essential amino acids, which are not found in cats’ natural systems. These essential amino acids are the building blocks that create new proteins and make glucose for energy. On the other hand, amino acids that are found within cats’ natural systems are called non-essential amino acids, and these are not required in a cat’s diet.
A cat’s diet requires animal protein that contains all the essential amino acids that cats need but are not found in plant proteins. This aligns with the understanding that cats are obligate omnivores, needing meat-based protein to survive.
The slightest deficiencies in any of the essential amino acids can lead to serious health problems for cats. For instance, taurine deficiency can cause a host of problems such as blindness, inadequate immune response, poor growth and poor reproductive function.
Another essential amino acid, arginine, is important to remove ammonia from the cat’s body through urine. Without sufficient arginine content in a cat’s diet, ammonia can build up in the bloodstream, which is toxic for the cat. Additionally, the essential amino acid histidine, is a structural protein that acts as a precursor to a number of neurological compounds such as histamine. Histidine deficiency can result in weight loss, refusal to eat, and may result in cataracts.
Cats can consume their dietary protein and obtain their essential amino acids through animal products like chicken and fish. Chicken has one of the highest biological values of all the meats, making it an excellent protein source for cats. It is also a good source of tryptophan, calcium, potassium, and vitamin B6. Fish is also a highly digestible protein source, and fish like salmon can provide cats with important omega-3 fatty acids.
While natural food options that somewhat fulfil a cat’s protein needs are available, owners these days go the extra mile to deep-dive into research to ensure better lives for their cats. Besides relying on online sources like the Internet, cat owners are also seeking more counsel from vets about their beloved cats’ needs, while also becoming more selective in their decisions and detailed in their questions, which is very encouraging to see as a vet. With this spirit, owners can better understand that their cats require adequate protein to stay healthy.
Along with veterinary guidance, owners are on the look-out for food solutions that contain all the essential protein contents in one place. We are finding that they are increasingly turning to products like IAMS products, which contain protein necessary for a variety of needs, such maintaining a healthy coat, strong muscles, and good digestion. With IAMS products, cats can get their protein needs from chicken with IAMS Healthy Adult with Chicken, with real chicken as its main ingredient, and from fish with IAMS Healthy Adult with Ocean Fish, with real fish as its main ingredient, both aiding in healthy digestion, skin and coat, teeth, and muscles, to name a few.
Owners must ensure that their cats’ diets provide complete and balanced nutrition, a key component of which is adequate protein. This can be achieved through consulting with vets, researching good protein sources, and sharing knowledge with fellow cat owners, among others. With such a concerted effort, cat owners can be assured about keeping their cats as healthy and happy for as long as possible.
