How pet cats raise their babies?

Answer 1

Kittens are born deaf, blind, toothless and completely dependant on the mother. The mother cat will feed them, clean them and lick under their tails to encourage them to toilet for the first four weeks of their lives.

When the kittens are around three weeks old, kittens will begin to open their eyes, their hearing will develop and their milk teeth will start to come through. By four weeks, kittens are finding their feet.

By six to eight weeks, kittens will start taking an interest their mother's food and should already be exploring the litter box. Kittens at this age learn what to do from their mother. Even during and after weaning, some kittens will still suckle from the mother. This is completely normal.

Socialisation also starts around this time, and the kittens will continue to learn as late as twelve weeks old - which is one of the reasons kittens should stay with their mother and siblings until this time. These skills teach the kittens manners, not to be too rough in play (biting and scratching hurts!) and generally how to behave around other cats and people.