Kittens to Cats: Amazing Feline Growth
A journey through feline development From birth to adulthood Year 9 Science
Learning Objectives
Identify key stages of feline development Compare physical and behavioural differences between kittens and adult cats Understand nutritional and care needs at different life stages Explore fascinating facts about cat growth
The Miracle of Birth
Gestation period: 64-67 days Litter size: 1-9 kittens (average 4) Born blind, deaf, and helpless Weigh only 85-115 grams at birth
Week 1-2: The Neonatal Stage
{"left":"Eyes and ears sealed shut\nCannot regulate body temperature\nSleep 90% of the time\nRely completely on mother's milk","right":"Eyes begin to open at 7-10 days\nEars start to unfold\nBegin to crawl and explore\nWeight doubles by end of week 2"}
Growth Rate Challenge
Calculate kitten weight gain! A kitten weighs 100g at birth Weight doubles every 2 weeks for first month What will it weigh at 4 weeks? Answer: 400 grams!
Weeks 3-8: Rapid Development
Teeth begin to emerge (3-4 weeks) Start walking and playing (3-4 weeks) Begin eating solid food alongside milk Develop social skills through play Learn hunting behaviours from mother Weaning completed by 8 weeks
Kitten Development Timeline
Kittens vs Adult Cats: Key Differences
{"left":"Higher energy levels and constant play\nSleep 18-20 hours per day\nRequire frequent small meals\nMore vulnerable to disease\nCurious and fearless behaviour\nNeed more protein for growth","right":"Lower energy, more selective play\nSleep 12-16 hours per day\nEat 2-3 larger meals daily\nStronger immune system\nMore cautious and territorial\nMaintenance diet sufficient"}
Think and Discuss
Why do you think kittens are born so helpless compared to other animals like horses or deer? What advantages might this give cats as a species?
Amazing Feline Facts
Cats reach 90% adult size by 12 months A cat's brain develops rapidly - adult size by 6 months Kittens can't see colour properly until 8 weeks old Adult cats have 30 teeth, kittens start with 26 baby teeth Cats continue growing until 18-24 months Indoor cats live 2-3 times longer than outdoor cats