Athena & Ophelia's kittens — four weeks old and weaning begins

Four weeks old. It sounds so small and they are, but four weeks is one of the most dramatic developmental stages in a kitten's life. Eyes wide open. Ears tuning in. Legs finding their purpose. And the first, wobbly, utterly delightful steps towards becoming cats. Both Athena and Ophelia have been extraordinary mothers.

What happens at four weeks — a development milestone

Four weeks is when everything accelerates at once. If you have been following along since birth, the change this week will genuinely surprise you:

🐾 Eyes fully open — vision is still developing but they can track movement and respond to light. Siamese kittens in particular seem to tune into faces and voices very early.

🐾 Ears are functional — watch them startle at sounds, orient towards familiar voices and begin to recognise tones they trust.

🐾 Coordination is arriving — the crawling shuffle of the first weeks is giving way to directed, if still wobbly, movement.

🐾 Weaning begins — this is the biggest milestone. We introduce high-quality wet food alongside mother's milk for the very first time.

🐾 Play begins in earnest — the first swipes, pounces and tumbles that will define so much of their lives ahead.

How we wean our kittens — and why it matters

We use Smilla Kitten and Animonda Carny Baby Pate food for weaning. Watching a kitten encounter solid food for the first time is one of the most entertaining things about what we do. There is invariably nose-wrinkling. There is often a paw in the bowl. There is usually a good thirty seconds of profound confusion before the penny drops.

We wean slowly and always follow the kittens' lead. Some take to it immediately. Others need more time. We never rush it. The goal is a kitten who is eating well, digesting comfortably, and still getting the benefits of their mother's milk.

Socialisation — the work that shapes a lifetime

At four weeks, our socialisation programme begins in earnest. This is one of the most important investments we make — far more significant, in our experience, than genetics alone.

What our socialisation involves

🐾 Daily handling — different hands, voices, scents and ways of being held.

🐾 Exposure to normal household sounds: television, music, the washing machine, the hoover, the doorbell.

🐾 Introduction to different textures, surfaces and environments.

The research on critical socialisation periods in cats is very clear. The window between three and seven weeks has a profound and lasting effect on temperament. A kitten handled lovingly during this period grows into a confident, adaptable adult. This is where we put an enormous amount of our energy — and it shows in every family's experience on collection day.

How both litters are doing

Both Athena's litter of six and Ophelia's litter of six are thriving. Every kitten across both litters is gaining weight consistently, hitting their milestones, and being watched over by two extraordinary mothers. We weigh every kitten daily and track progress carefully.

We will be sharing individual personality updates as they become more distinct over the coming weeks. If you are following along on Instagram or Facebook, you will already have seen some of this week's behind-the-scenes — and if you are not yet following us, now is the perfect time to start.

All of our kittens are reserved in advance through our waiting list. If you would love a future Siam-Amor kitten, we would love to hear from you.

At what age do Siamese kittens fully develop their points?

Siamese kittens are born almost entirely white and develop their point colouring gradually. The points become visible within the first few weeks but continue to deepen and develop through the first year and beyond. A kitten's true adult colouring is not fully established until around twelve months.

How do I join the waiting list for a future litter?

Our waiting list is always open. Complete the kitten enquiry form on our website — we ask for some details about you and your home, and reply within 72 hours.