Learning and adventure: weeks 5 through 8

The first 8 weeks are over, and I continue to be amazed at how quickly the kittens are developing. In the first four weeks, they couldn't do much and mainly stayed lying in one spot. But now they are racing through the house. One thing is certain: there is always plenty of life in the house!

A lot has happened over the past few weeks. The kittens have started getting used to solid food, the litter box, other housemates, and the photographer has visited again.

From milk to solid food

In the previous blog, we mentioned that we had started introducing kitten pâté. The transition from mother's milk to pâté is quite significant, so in the beginning, we still make a porridge of kitten milk (milk powder and water) and kitten pâté to get the kittens used to the taste of meat. Gradually, the proportion of pâté increases and the milk decreases until they are eating only the kitten pâté.

We noticed that Luna and Kira still had to get used to the taste of the new food, but Nami had no trouble with it and started eating her mother's wet food herself; the kibble was already a hit with her too.

After about a week, all the kittens were eating the kitten pâté and also started meowing enthusiastically for it when it was mealtime. As the final step (in the transition to solid food), we also started mixing the pâté with kitten kibble occasionally so they could get used to that as well. Now they eat the kibble without pâté, receive wet kitten food alongside the kibble, and are still allowed to nurse from Gaia regularly.

Potty training

In the fifth week, we started introducing the litter box. In the first few weeks, Gaia kept the nest clean herself, but due to the change in diet, the stool also changed. So, it was time for potty training. We placed a small, low litter box with compressed small wood pellets in the cat enclosure, and not long after, the kittens started peeing and pooping in it occasionally. This certainly didn't go well for all the kittens right away, but little by little, the 'accidents' started to decrease.

Introduction to other animals

During the first four weeks, Noa, our other Savannah cat, was allowed to come and see Gaia's kittens occasionally. Gaia is very protective of the kittens, and in the first few weeks, Noa was not allowed to show much more than just his face. Now that the kittens are a little older, they are starting to show more interest in Noa on their own and try to seek him out regularly. Gaia does not always agree with this and still occasionally stands between Noa and the kittens when an encounter takes place. Sometimes they are lucky and Noa gets to babysit for a bit.

Besides Noa, we also have a dog in the house: our White Swiss Shepherd, Akylo. Akylo is a young dog, 1.5 years old, and is very curious and enthusiastic towards the cats and kittens. Gaia often does not appreciate this, especially now that she has kittens! Since the kittens were 5 weeks old, they have been living downstairs in the living room in a cat enclosure. This is where their first introductions to the dog took place. Kira, Luna, and Nami found the dog very intimidating and showed this by sticking up their tails and hissing. Now that a few weeks have passed, this behavior has largely subsided, and the kittens are also occasionally curious about the dog.

Play and adventure

Now that the kittens are no longer so wobbly on their paws and have more balance, they are starting to play and roughhouse with each other. Luna, Kira, and Nami never have a dull moment. There is always a playmate nearby, and if not, Mom and Noa make fun playthings too.

The ladies are starting to gain more and more self-confidence and are heading off on adventures of their own accord. Kira is the bravest of them all and often takes the lead! Gaia is not too charmed by this and prefers to keep the little ones in one place, which means Kira is regularly grabbed by the scruff of the neck and dragged back to the other sisters.

By now, the kittens are eight weeks old and quite familiar with the house, causing them to regularly decide to all go in different directions. Just like other mothers, Gaia has had to let go of some control over her daughters and has (had to) give up trying to keep them in one place.

Besides the kittens playing with each other and the other cats, they also play busily with cat toys, such as fishing rods. My daughters think it is fantastic to be busy with the kittens and play with them, and after a good play session, it is time for an afternoon nap.

In the photo

Our dear friends, the Portegies Sisters, stopped by again to take photos of the kittens, Gaia, and Noa. There are so many beautiful photos that choosing is impossible, so below is a selection of the nicest and most beautiful ones.

Finally, a few fun facts :

• In week five, the baby blue color of the irises slowly began to fade. Now that the kittens are 8 weeks old, the definitive green color is already clearly visible, but the color in the eyes can become even more intense until the fifth month.

• In week 6, the kittens were dewormed for the second time.

• From week 7, a kitten can regulate its own body temperature and is no longer dependent on the mother cat for warmth.

That's all for now. After this blog, there will be another blog about the last few weeks at cattery SavVal. After that, the kittens will leave for new owners. In the final weeks, the kittens will visit the vet twice, two photographers will come to visit, and we will continue with socialization.