L'il Kitten Diary
The first 10 weeks of life for an Anniesong Kitten 

At Anniesong all our kittens are precious - we have litters only twice or sometimes 3 times yearly so the arrival of a litter of kittens never loses it's 'shine'.
And although it's always an exciting time at Anniesong when kittens are due, birthing can however be a nerve-wracking time as there is much that could go wrong and there is an anxious wait in the lead-up to the birth. Our girls are only bred once yearly on average - leaving them much of the year to enjoy life as a pet and as a show-cat.

It all begins with a mating and our girls are matched to a particular stud for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the 'match' is to result in specific colour and pattern combinations, often it is to balance or match type of the prospective parents, and it is always with a view to breeding stunning temperaments in out kittens. As we currently have 5 resident and working studs this gives us lots of scope and having all our studs 'on-premises' means I'm also able to monitor the matings that occur..

Pregnancy or the gestation period for a Tonkinese lasts an average of 65 days, although our girls do tend to birth on day 64 in about 70% of cases. As the day of birth approaches - our Tonk-mums begin to be especially smoochy - and as their hormone levels rise they instinctively seek out potential birthing spots, particularly a new mum that has yet to learn the routine. Cupboards and wardrobes are explored (and rearranged) in preparation for the impending birth.

When the day of birth arrives there is more pronounced change in the mum-to-be. Now her former 'neediness' is elevated to a whole new level as she becomes extremely clingy and demanding of company. Almost without exception our Tonk-mums insist on my presence for the birth of their babies and if i'm not home when they are due they will hold off labour until I return home. Often it has been the case that I'm met at the door by an anxious mum-to-be, who vocalising loudly will lead me directly to their birthing-room and her waters will then break within moments of sitting down with her. Ava is the only girl that shas frequently surprised me with a litter, born during the night or when I'm at work or out.

We frequently breed two of our girls at the same time, and this gives an opportunity for them to share the experience of raising their babies and the mums seem to particularly enjoy the company.

This is especially valuable for our new mums, as the experienced mum then acts as a guide and mentor to the newbie. The current exception is miss Storm who despite being bred twice at the same time as another mum made it abundantly clear that she was not for sharing.

Co-parenting mums seem to be more relaxed - perhaps feeling more secure with a 'helper' - and I've noticed that co-parenting mums will frequently take turns to mind the bubs while the other goes visiting or just has a rest.

The time has arrived......

So labour has begun - and waters are broken - it can still be some time before kittens number one arrives. It always amazes me that a cat knows what to do instantly and instinctively how to act when the birthing process begins.

The Birthing process begins with the onset of uterine contractions. During this stage, the cervix starts to dilate and a clear, odourless discharge is usually seen. This discharge is known as the 'mucus plug' and its purpose during the pregnancy was to create a seal between the uterus and the vagina. As the birth of the first kitten becomes more imminent, the interval between the contractions decreases.

In the lead-up to birth the kitten moves down the birth canal. Pressure on the cervix stimulates the mother’s urge to push. She will often be straining visibly to push the kitten out. Each kitten comes in its own 'sack' or membrane and often a 'bubble' of liquid is seen protuding immediately prior to the birth.   As the contractions increase in number and frequency the first kitten is born.

The mother will tear and lick the membrane from the face and body, to stimulate breathing in the kitten. A short time after the kitten’s birth, the placenta is delivered. And its usually only after the delivery of each placenta that the mother will normally sever the umbilical cord and eat the placenta.

If a kitten is in the breach position the birth of that kitten can be more difficult than one of 'normal presentation', and this can sometimes need veterinary intervention. From my records about 1 of 6 births occurs in the breach position, and this can be especially difficult for our young mums.

A breach birth often results in the kitten's head remaining inside after the body has emerged and is the most difficult aspect of the breach birth.

Only a matter of weeks ago, Leia had her first litter and kitten number 1 was in the breach position and an extremely anxious hour was spent watching a tail emerge only to disappear back inside repeatedly. Finally Leia was able to give birth naturally, just as I was preparing a carrier to take her to the emergency vet as this was taking place on a Saturday night.

 

 Gracie cleans & dries her first kitten in between contractions

While our Tonkinese mum waits for the birth of subsequent kittens, she is busy cleaning and drying her first kitten and depending on the interval between kittens will often feed the newborn kitten(s)

Normally a newborn kitten will instinctively seek out the mother's teats, and although blind and deaf at birth the newborn is driven by a powerful and well developed sense of smell. Indeed it is often the smell of the milk that stimulates the kitten to feed.

 

 

Once all kittens have been born the mother will usually make this obvious by a change in her demeanour - her restlessness gives way to a more relaxed disposition, and once her kittens are all feeding she will often fall asleep as the birthing process has been an exhausting experience, particularly for our new mums.

The newborn kittens are also exhausted from the birthing process and tend to sleep between feeds for the first few hours 

Tonkinese Kittens @ 1-day old

ATonkinese kitten at just a day old is settling into life outside the comfort of the womb. Their mother has become powerfully bonded with her babies through suckling them, and she is keep busy cleaning, feeding her brood.

She is fiercely protective and if in any way feel that her kittens are threatened will react instinctively to defend her babies. and hell hath no fury like a mother cat in protective mode.

It is vitally important that all of the kittens feed from their mum regularly during the first 24-48 hours, to ensure they receive sufficient colostrum that is essential to building their immunity. The mother protects her kittens and takes care of them with little need for intervention from humans.

Physical Development

 Although blind & deaf at birth, the newborn kitten is critically aware of its surroundings through a well-developed sense of smell and touch

Behavioural Development

• The first day is characterised by sleep mainly. The birthing process has been exhausting for both mother and babies, so extended periods of sleep between feeds are needed to recover.
• The kitten is born with a well-developed sense of smell, and after only a few hours will hiss and gape (trying in vain to look fierce) if they become aware of an unrecognized scent entering their nest.
• Kittens tend to imprint upon and gravitate to one particular teat. Depending on litter-size the day old kittens may have to ‘battle’ to suckle from their preferred teat.

Ava's day old kittens suckling

Mum's foot makes a comfy pillow

When they are not feeding most of the kitten's time is spent sleeping. At the rapid rate they will develop over the next 10 weeks, sleep is essential to fuel that growth.

 Responding to human touch 

Early and regular handling is essential to developing a confident and outgoing nature.

Our Tonkinese Kittens @ 1-week old

Sienna & Gracie's kittens have doubled their size in a week

BBy the end of the first week the kittens have doubled their birth-weights and are stronger and more active. Between sleep and feeding they are now clambouring around and crawling over mum and their nest site.

The Tonkinese kitten is by now beginning to look more kitten-like, and its ears have began to lose their rounded appearance.

Their Mum spends 95% of her tme with her brood, and the daily routine is a constant round of cleaning, feeding and toileting - interspersed between long periods of sleep that is vital to the kittens' growth and development. 

At this stage, other than to change their bedding and to check and weigh kittens daily, the family is given plenty of peace and quiet.

Physical Development

• Usually the eyes will begin to open over a couple of days. Once fully opened, they begin to focus in the following days. Their vision is blurry at first before their eyes are practiced at focus. Although usually 7-10 days that their eyes are fully open, it can be as early as 5 or as late as 14 days.
• The eyes will be a dark blue at first but will start to change to reflect the eventual eye colour, depending of course on their coat pattern..
• The kittens’ ears will start to open, at around 7 days, but still laying flat against their heads they remain unresponsive to sound.
• The umbilical cord remains attached until the latter end of the first week generally, the kitten's umbilical cord stub will fall off completely.
• Toileting is stimulated by the mother. After her kittens have fed, she will lick their tummies and genital areas, and will consume any faeces and urine that is excreted.

 Mum spends 95% of her time with her brood, & the daily routine is a constant round of cleaning, feeding and toileting - interspersed between long periods of sleep, vital to the kittens' growth & development. 

Behavioural Development

• The mother cat rarely leaves her newborn kittens during this first week.
• As they have gained strength, kittens become quite feisty when competing for a teat
• Kittens can be observed dreaming when they sleep with their litte legs 'galloping'

Sleep is vital to the kittens' growth & development

Mum's foot makes a comfy pillow

When they are not feeding most of the kitten's times is spent sleeping. At the rapid rate they will develop over the next 10 weeks, sleep is essential to fuel that growth.

A 9-day old kitten takes a first look at the world

It may take a few days for the eyes to open completely and be fully functional

Our Tonkinese Kittens @ 4-weeks old

due to the mobilisation of the kittens and their growing inclination to move about and explore beyond the confines of their nest box, Week 4 sees the family and their nest box move into a high-sided puppy pen poitioned in a corner of the room.

This provides them with an opportunity to explore and play in a larger area safely and ease the mother’s stress as she otherwise tries to keep track of the kittens if allowed to wander ‘un-coralled’

This move coincides with the introduction to solid foods, and so litter trays, food and water are also placed in the pen also.

Physical Development

• The sense of smell is fully mature.
• Although the ear canals will now be completely open, the kitten's hearing is still developing.
• They may attempt to explore outside the confines of their nesting box. By the end of the week, kittens will be playing when not sleeping or nursing.
• At 4 weeks the kitten's baby teeth have developed. And it is now that we introduce our kittens to solid foods. The first foods that are fed to a kitten are very soft and wet, we frequently have to place a little in the kittens’ mouths from the back of a spoon before he/she recognises this as food.
• As soon as they are eating solids, most kittens learn to use the litter tray between 4-6 weeks of age. The kittens will automatically follow cues from the queen’s behaviour and this has a lot to do with litter training – we rarely need to intervene in this process.

 Although blind & deaf at birth, the newborn kitten is critically aware of its surroundings through a well-developed sense of smell and touch

• Behavioural Development

The mother is still constantly grooming her offspring, but they are also beginning to groom themselves.

• The mother cat's job is less intense, and she tends to leave her kittens for longer periods when they are sleeping. She no longer needs to massage the kitten's belly to assist with elimination, but she is still responsible for the bulk of her kittens’ grooming.
• A new mum in particular will often appear anxious if the kittens are now attempting to wander from the nest. She will make constant chirping noises to communicate with them and will incline to pick them up and to carry them in her mouth to ‘safety’.

Ava's day old kittens suckling

Mum's foot makes a comfy pillow

When they are not feeding most of the kitten's times is spent sleeping. At the rapid rate they will develop over the next 10 weeks, sleep is essential to fuel that growth.

 Responding to human touch 

Although blind and deaf at birth, the newborn kitten is critically aware of its surroundings through it's sense of smell and touch Early and regular handling is essential to developing a confident and outgoing nature.