The kitten is learning to walk: do you need help

For any pet owner, one of the cutest things to witness is when their kitten takes its first unsteady steps. Early walking attempts are a time of excitement, curiosity, and a few stumbles. Despite how cute it may be, many cat owners are unsure if their furry friend needs assistance at this learning phase.

Kittens are born with the innate desire to walk, just like human babies, but it takes them some time to get the hang of it. They may initially find it difficult to maintain their balance or to move straight ahead. It is a typical stage of their development, and every kitten grows at a different rate.

It’s crucial to know when to offer assistance and when to let nature take its course, despite how tempting it may be to intervene and give them direction. This post will discuss how to help your kitten learn to walk and what to look out for to ensure their healthy and self-assured development.

It’s a normal and exciting stage in a kitten’s development to learn to walk, but occasionally they may require a little extra assistance. Knowing their particular journey will enable you to decide when to intervene and support them, giving them the confidence and balance they need to explore their surroundings.

The skeleton of a cat

A cat’s skeleton is genuinely unique. With an average of 250 bones, it is incredibly strong, light, and flexible.

The fact that cats are the only mammals without a collarbone is the most astounding feature of their skeletons. Alternatively put, it is represented by just two bones that serve no purpose and are not joined to the shoulder joint. Because muscles, ligaments, and tendons connect the shoulder blades to the spine, the animal can squeeze itself into any crevice as long as its head can fit through. A cat’s front paws are incredibly elastic, enabling the animal to leap with ease and safety and land softly.

Unlike all other bones, a cat’s hind legs and sacrum are fixed in a dependable and durable structure, which allows the back of the skeleton to support massive loads.

The function of the hind legs is different. They are firmly fastened to the pelvis. Compared to the front legs, the pelvis and hind legs have longer and more developed bones. The metatarsal bones, on the other hand, are larger because they are meant for jumping. Cats have an extremely quick gait that allows them to move forward and upward. They run fast and climb trees very well.

The musculoskeletal system of cats is further characterized by their digitigrade gait, or tiptoe walking. This guarantees their quiet and fluid gait in addition to providing them with a speed advantage because the cat won’t trip over loose surfaces like sand when running.

Cats have unparalleled mobility due to their incredible skeleton. For this reason, it’s critical to monitor a kitten’s development closely from the beginning of its life.

When kittens start walking

By the end of the third week, kittens are able to walk. The babies move with confidence; they run and jump a lot, standing firmly on their paws. Play becomes more and more necessary.

Cats’ skeletons are similar across breeds, with the exception of the more exotic ones like bobtails, Manx, Cymric, and Munchkin. The Munchkin breed of cats is tailless, meaning that their legs are short. However, the development of kittens is not influenced by these features in terms of timing. For all breeds combined, the initial steps take the same amount of time. The care, diet, and physical state of the kitten are the only factors that determine when it will learn to walk.

How a kitten learns to walk

The musculoskeletal system of the kitten develops in phases:

Newly born kittens are completely helpless. They are blind, deaf, their heads and bodies are very large, but their legs are short and weak. All that babies can do is sniff. Their sense of smell is very strong, but this is not surprising: only by smell can a baby find its mother and her nipple.

Kittens that are newborns can move very little to get to their mother’s nipple.

A kitten that has opened its eyes moves with an ungainly but deliberate gait.

By the conclusion of the third week, the kitten can walk and even run while standing erect on its paws.

Attempting to expedite this process is not advised. Everything ought to proceed gradually. Because of the kitten’s extremely thin and delicate bones, injuries can result from simply holding one of its paws in your hands. Kittens shouldn’t be given too much physical activity because it will cause pain syndrome rather than make them stronger.

During this time, ensuring the safety of the kittens can be the best assistance. The owner must plan every aspect of the birth process, down to the smallest detail: where the newborns will find shelter, how the interior of the room will change (everything that could harm the babies needs to be removed), and how peaceful and secure the area will be.

Video: the first steps of a kitten at three weeks

What problems are possible

A responsible breeder or just the owner of a pregnant cat will keep a careful eye on their animals. Observing the development of kittens is essential. Because it is harder for weak babies than for others to get to their mother, to warmth, and to milk, they require special attention. Cats that, by the third week, are unable to stand on their paws completely, squeal loudly when they try, or refuse to walk at all should be given careful attention. There is a good reason to call a veterinarian if you have these symptoms.

Pain syndrome, weak paws, and other signs of discomfort can indicate a congenital or acquired pathology. Congenital illnesses that impede a kitten from fully learning to walk include conditions like:

• kidney diseases of various etiologies;
• hip dysplasia;

An abnormal alignment of the pelvic bowl with the femur head is one of the signs of hip dysplasia.

When a healthy kitten exhibits symptoms of discomfort, it’s likely that the animal has sustained an injury, the extent of which should be assessed by a medical professional.

It should be noted that certain cat breeds are more prone than others to hip dysplasia. These include breeds like:

• Maine Coon;
• British;
• Scottish Fold;

Hip dysplasia is a tendency among Scottish Fold breeds.

Hence, it is imperative to verify the documentation pertaining to the disease-free status of kittens acquired from these breeds (marks in the pedigree typically indicate the presence of this pathology in the baby’s family). However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that this illness only shows symptoms for six months, so you shouldn’t ignore a doctor’s observations.

Cats that are only one and a half months old are already playing a lot, sprinting quickly, jumping a lot, and using their claws to climb vertical surfaces. They eat independently and are aware of what a litter box is. The infant is prepared to go to a new home at this age.

Kittens born to breed-specific breeders are not released before three months of age. The infant has already received the first vaccination and is mentally capable at this point.

How to protect a kitten that is starting to walk on its own

Kittens that are just born should be handled very carefully. Carefully pick them up; the entire body should fit inside the palm of your hand. You are not allowed to give the kitten a squeeze or move quickly. The kitten shouldn’t be able to unintentionally climb over the fence that the babies live inside. This may result in fatalities or other severe injuries.

The family ought to be positioned in an area with non-slip flooring. As soon as the kittens are able to walk, all cords and wires should be pulled out of their reach. Additionally, curtains should be tied up to prevent the kittens from climbing on them and ripping them off. Considering that cats are incredibly nimble creatures and can crawl through any opening, you should thoroughly inspect the space for any nooks or crannys.

A baby goes through a lot of stress when it moves into a new house because it doesn’t have its mother, siblings, or familiar scents. The kitten finds all of this extremely frightening, and it will seek out a place to stay. As such, you should engage it in active play rather than disturbing it right away.

If there are small children in the house, then they need to be explained that the kitten should be treated gently: do not push the baby, do not pull its paws, do not frighten or chase it. You need to pick up the baby carefully and gently, holding it firmly and over a soft surface such as a bed or sofa. It is even better to just sit with it, taking it on your lap. The child must strictly follow all these measures. After all, the kitten is very nimble, quick, and its claws are very sharp, and in an effort to get out, it can scratch the child, and the child, in turn, will simply drop it.

Care recommendations

There are easy care tips for kittens. They are the same as they are for any infant or child:

• ensuring a balanced diet;
• inclusion in an active lifestyle (daily active games, walks);
• caution in joint games;
• regular examination by a veterinarian.

It’s fun to watch a kitten get its walking skills under control. It’s only natural to want to support them as they take those first unsteady steps. Although kitties tend to solve problems on their own, some guidance can help them feel more confident.

It is advantageous to support your kitten gently in order to encourage them. Make a secure environment for them to explore, and be present to encourage them. Patience is essential, just like with any young animal. Since each kitten learns at their own speed, acknowledge and appreciate any advancement, no matter how tiny.

Do not hesitate to seek veterinary advice if your kitten exhibits hesitation or struggles excessively. They can assist in eliminating any underlying problems. Your kitten will soon be jumping around happily and eager to explore the world with your love and support!

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