The British breed is a large representative of the domestic cat. It is important for the owner to monitor that the kitten is growing, gaining weight according to standard standards – this indicates its timely development, satisfactory state of health. Every week, a month before the first year of life, important and interesting events will occur changes.
Kitten at birth
Newborn “British” are blind and deaf – they are still closed eyes and ears. Kids don’t know how to regulate body temperature, completely helpless: the hairline does not have an undercoat, which is why does not warm at all.
Kittens do not walk and practically do not crawl – their legs are too are weak. The bone skeleton is still very fragile, so babies are not taken on hands so as not to injure. Man cares for control for the weight of feline offspring, the arrangement of favorable conditions: clean warm nest, dim lighting, no noise and drafts.
Kids sleep most of the day. Awaken only for food intake. They have an amazingly well-developed sense of smell and touch, therefore, the “British” easily find their mother in their “nest” – by smell, to the touch.
The main stages of development of babies in the early days:
- 3-4 day – umbilical cord falling.
- 4-5 – the beginning of the formation of hearing.
The nutrition of “babies” is completely limited to cat’s milk and colostrum rich in antibody elements that form a strong immunity of the offspring. To kittens grow healthy and strong, on the “milk” stage is important full, timely nutrition mothers.
The cat completely regulates the processes of feces of the offspring: massages tummies, licks excrement. For mom herself next to “family home” equip the tray.
In the photo, video – the newborn “Briton”:
2 weeks
By the end of the first week of life, the ears open in the babies – they hear a general noise, gradually discern individual sounds. In the early “Brits” eyes are already cutting out. The first week of life happens following:
- Sleep time decreases, the wakeful period increases.
- The undercoat appears.
- Toddlers begin to crawl – they can make their way to mother half a meter.
In the second week of life, the following occurs:
- The kid learns to use claws.
- The kitten is actively crawling, begins to take the first steps.
- On days 12-14, the eyes of most of the offspring open – “British” is still difficult to focus, they do not see well. Keen vision is formed by the 15-17th day of life.
- Toddlers begin to communicate with their mother – respond to her purr, the name of the cat is yourself.
Kittens are curious about the world outside of their “nest” – try to crawl beyond it.
“British” in 2 weeks:
1 month
The following important events occur by the third week of life. changes:
- Kids see, hear, almost like adults brethren.
- Kittens learn to walk, run and jump, so far very hesitant and funny. Toddlers don’t matter in space, therefore, the owner takes away everything that they can come across and get hurt.
- The “British” learn to be cats: arch their backs, meow, use the tail.
- In a feline brood, the first milk teeth appear.
- The cat teaches offspring to relieve the need for a tray.
- The owner introduces the first soft, liquid complementary foods, closely monitoring the reaction of their digestive system.
Three-week-old cats already need to communicate with humans – their accustom to hands, caresses, stroking. At this age, formed trust in people. Indifferent, if not cruel, to kids will make them aggressive, distrustful and fearful of man animals.
A monthly kitten sleeps 15-20 hours a day. He knows how to let in claws and cloves. Plays educational games with siblings: catching up, hunting, attack and defense.
At 1 month, the “British” begins to smoothly change the color of the eye – from blue to permanent. Separate patches appear, specks that become new in a few months the color of the iris. The structure of the coat changes, a full-fledged grows undercoat. The suit pattern changes – it becomes more contrast, bright.
A monthly baby is already offered solid baby food. is he ceases to eat breast milk.
Photo of a monthly kitten:
2 months
Two-month-old kittens are waiting for the following changes:
- The kid independently takes care of his hygiene – he washed licks wool.
- The eyesight of the “British” is sharp, the eyes are clear.
- The baby eats solid food, normally digests it.
- The cat independently finds the tray, makes his own business.
- Kids are given the first deworming and vaccinations.
The “figure” of a two-month-old kitten is noticeably transformed – disappears infant clumsiness, puffiness. The cat is very active and curious: for his safety, dangerous objects are hidden, closed restroom, bathroom, pull mosquito net.
The “child” is accustomed to combing the “fur coat”, cleaning the eyes and ear sinks. If necessary, introduce a clawcloth, haircut “scratches”.
Two-month “British”:
3 months
The development of a three-month-old animal:
- Eye color changes to permanent.
- The animal is perfectly oriented in the house, rushes, jumps.
- He trusts a man – he loves, purrs, sits on his hands, calls play.
- The beast has a milky dentition.
Re-vaccination is carried out. At this age, pets usually find new owners.
Photo, video of three-month-old British cats:
4-5 months
The following changes await the animal:
- Slow development – the baby becomes a teenager.
- Milk teeth begin to change to permanent.
Since the “Briton” is not developing as actively as before, the number of his meals is reduced to 3-4 times.
Four-month “Briton”:
Five-month British:
6 months
A six-month-old British cat looks like an adult – she’s sure in movements, graceful. The animal has constant teeth.
British Shorthair at 6 months:
7-12 months
Further life of the animal:
- 7 months Start of puberty, initial molt.
- 8 months Sterilization, castration as needed.
- 10 months Becomes sexually mature but not yet ready for crossbreeding.
- 11 months Beasts are transferred to adult nutrition, cut the number of meals up to 2-3 times.
One-year-old “Briton” is already considered an adult. But his physical development lasts up to 2-2.5 years. The animal is getting bigger massive, “seasoned”.
British cat at 9 months:
British one year old adult cats:
Development table
Next is a monthly weight table.
Weight of adults: boys – 4.5-8 kg, girls – 2.5-5.5 kg. The mass of pets that have undergone sterilization, castration, is slightly higher: “British” – 4.5-9 kg, “British” – 2.5-6 kg.
