First Week of Kitten School

Good morning dear readers,

This past week, my babies went to Kitten School. They've now started to learn how to eat on on their own and use the litter box.

Straight-A students, all of them!

On their first day of class, Michelle placed a food bowl down in front of them. She gently put their little faces in it so they could smell. Ballou and Tux warmed to it pretty quickly. They walked away licking their lips! Meanwhile, little Mina looked up at Michelle as if to say, Why'd you get my face all dirty?!

Now when Michelle comes with the food, Ballou and Tux are ready to jump right in the bowl. They put their front paws in to get closer to the food, and then they come out licking their feet. Mina is more hesitant. She's not quite ready to let go of Mama yet. But I have a feeling it won't be long... she never wants her brothers to get too far ahead of her!

Along with eating solid food comes litter box training. After the kittens tried eating, Michelle placed them in the litter box. At first they thought it was a sandbox! They played with the litter, pushing it around with their paws, sticking their faces in it and coming up with a nose full of sand.

Just like with the food, Tux and Ballou have taken to it quicker than Mina. After a few days of being placed in the box, the boys figured it out, and now it's second nature to them. Mina, on the other hand, doesn't like to get her paws dirty. Michelle tells me it takes patience, and that there are always mishaps.

Even though they've started eating, they still come to me during the day to nurse. Weaning is a slow process that happens gradually, so I'm okay with it. I'm not ready to let go of my babies quite yet.

As my kittens grow and learn about the world, Michelle and I are learning more about them. At six weeks old, their personalities are starting to really shine through.

Tux is my gentle jester. He loves to be held as much as he loves his toys! When he's done playing he'll run to me or Michelle for a cuddle. Even though he's the smallest, he has no problem asking for attention!

Ballou is patient and passive. He'll wait for Michelle to pick him up, and once she does he dissolves into a little lump of love. When he's up and about, his favorite toys are balls.

Mina is my cautious but curious girl. While her brothers jump head-first into everything, she stands back and observes. But she never misses a beat! She watches Michelle as she goes about the house doing what humans do. And when she plays with her favorite pink feather toy, she likes to have an audience, just like Tux.

And then there's me: Ms. Molly, the mama! It's easy for me to forget that at eight months old, I am only just barely an adult cat myself.

I had my babies when I was only six months old, right when I became fertile. What a way to start life, I tell you what! It is very common for stray and outdoor cats like me. I love my babies dearly, but I'm very happy that we will all be fixed in just a few weeks.

That's all for now. Until next week, readers!

P.S. Kitten Season has only just begun! Support our fostering efforts by donating to HTAT.