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Kittens terms
Kittens: their care, their litters and the stories they make.
Adult catA fully grown cat, roughly from two to six years old, in its prime and needing steady care, exercise and a weight-controlled diet.Junior catThe life stage from about seven months to two years, when a cat reaches adult size and sexual maturity and its energy peaks.KittenA cat in its first months of life, from birth until about six months to a year old, a time of rapid growth, learning and vaccinations.Kitten foodA food with more energy, protein, fat and minerals than adult food, made to support a kitten's fast growth.Neonatal kittenA kitten in its first two weeks, born with closed eyes and ears and unable to regulate its own temperature or toilet without its mother.Play aggressionBiting and clawing during play that is aimed at people's hands and feet, common in young cats that lack playmates.Socialisation periodThe early weeks of a kitten's life, roughly two to seven weeks, when gentle handling and new experiences shape how friendly and confident it becomes.WeaningThe gradual switch from mother's milk to solid food, which usually starts at about four weeks and is mostly complete by eight to ten weeks.Foster careCaring for a shelter or rescue cat in your own home for a limited time until it is adopted, often a kitten, a mother or a recovering cat.Kitten seasonThe warm months, from spring to autumn, when many unspayed cats give birth and shelters take in far more kittens than usual.