Kitten Development: Birth to 16 Weeks
An 8 week old blue mitted Ragdoll kitten enjoying the socialization time with his human cats. When you choose to adopt from Danu Ragdolls, you are not just getting a pet; you are becoming part of a community that values the unique qualities of Ragdoll cats. The support and guidance provided by Danu Ragdolls continue long after the adoption process, ensuring that each kitten and their new family thrive together.
Kitten Development: Birth to 16 Weeks
Snowball, Danu’s newest Queen is a blue bicolor. Aries, a blue mitted stud, gifted us four gorgeous kittens this year. We have enjoyed watching their litter grow up this season. Although we had an idea of possible color and patterns based on mom and dad’s traits, Mother Nature always delivers gold. We anticipate two kittens to be blue bicolor Ragdolls and two to be blue mitted Ragdolls. If you are curious about how our Ragdoll kittens were doing after birth, here are some important developmental stages by week:
Birth to 2-Week-Old Ragdoll Kittens: Eyes Open Ragdoll kittens are born all white. This is one indicator of a purebred Ragdoll. In addition, their ear canals and eyes are closed. They respond to touch, temperature changes, and smells but rely heavily on their mothers. By the second week, their eyes begin to open, although their vision remains blurry, especially for distant objects. They start responding to sounds and may show curiosity about their surroundings. Play is unlikely.
3-Week-Old Ragdoll Kittens: Walking Begins During the third week, you may notice signs of motor coordination. Kittens start walking and exploring their environment while staying close to their mother and littermates. Their teeth, specifically the incisors, begin to emerge through the gums. Socialization begins here. Handling and gently interacting with your kitten daily to get them used to being touched.
4-Week-Old Ragdoll Kittens: Social Play In the fourth week, kittens become more comfortable moving around, although they still stay near their mothers. They start differentiating cat vocalizations and engaging in social play. Their sense of balance improves, they learn to use the litter box, and they become more responsive to sights and sounds in your home.
5-Week-Old Ragdoll Kittens: Confidence By week five, more teeth appear, and kittens interact more with people and other animals. They can probably run, and their grooming skills improve.
6-Week-Old Ragdoll Kittens: Adult Cat Play At six weeks, kittens start to play like adult cats. This is a great time to teach them safe play and discourage biting. They begin playing with objects. The introduction of grooming tools like brushes and nail clippers in a playful manner is also a good idea at this age. Holding your kitten and touching their ears and feet will prepare them for future ear cleanings and nail trims.
Weeks 7 to 16: Ragdoll Kittens Continue to Mature Your kitten will keep growing and gaining weight as they mature, with different breeds reaching maturity at different ages. Their desire to play increases and continues into adulthood. Establishing a grooming routine, such as clipping their nails and brushing their coat, is important.
At Danu Ragdolls, the journey of raising a Ragdoll cat is filled with love, dedication, and a deep appreciation for the unique charm of these wonderful felines. We love these weeks! And we also love hearing back from our clients with pictures and videos celebrating the furbabies successful integration into their furever homes.
