From kitten to cat - how does the brain grow?
Kittens are so much fun to watch, with playful antics that keep us entertained for hours.
Kittens grow at an amazing rate; by the time they reach adulthood, they will be 40-50 times their birth weight. And while these more obvious physical changes are occurring, a kitten’s senses are also developing rapidly. Kittens are born blind with their eyes shut, but by 8 weeks of age they have already developed a broad field of vision including the ability to see in very low light conditions. Only 10 days after birth, a kitten’s sense of taste is developed to differentiate between bitterness, acidity, saltiness and savoury flavours. A kitten’s brain and nervous system are developing at an amazing pace in these first few weeks of life, and by the time they are six months old, a kitten’s brain will have reached its adult size.
A closer look at this critical period of a kitten’s life.
As their senses are developing, a kitten’s bone structure is also changing, forming the locomotor system which helps your kitten move. Their nervous system becomes more efficient, improving and refining the messages between brain and body at which point you will notice their movements become more coordinated and agile.
As a kitten’s mobility develops, their curiosity leads them to explore a larger territory. They’re now constantly learning about their environment and the people around them. This window of learning peaks at about 8-9 weeks of age. This is the perfect time to start training so they can develop into a well-behaved adult cat and to do some safeguarding in your home to keep them safe!
Your kitten has specific nutritional needs to support their rapid growth and sensory development. That’s why it’s so important to feed them the right food for this phase of their life.
What is the role of nutrition during this period?
The right nutrition not only provides your kitten the energy they need for healthy growth of their body, but it’s also giving them the nutrients they need for brain and the development of senses like sight and hearing. A food supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids including DHA is important for improving memory, hearing, vision and brain development.
