Just like children, our pets grow up way too fast. One moment they can barely open their eyes, the next minute they’re breaking into the treats cupboard.
Ana Vlahovic, founder of Neva Angles and breeder of Siberian and Neva Masquerade cats, recently shared a video to her Instagram account, @nevaangels_cats, showing the different stages of development of a Siberian kitten from nine days to two months old.
In the video which has over 4 million views and 344,000 likes, Vlahovic can be seen holding up the tiny white kitten at nine days, its eyes still closed.
By two months the kitten now very much looks like a cat, albeit a small one, with white and gray fur, piercing blue eyes and black ear tufts.
“From 9 days to 2 months, see how the kitten develops and grows, [and] this is my daily therapy,” reads the caption.
The cat in the video is a Siberian, described as “powerful and highly intelligent” by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). “These gentle giants are soft at heart and get along with just about everyone—even dogs,” the ASCPA writes on its website.
Siberian cats are thought to have originated in the forests of Siberia roughly 1,000 years ago, according to the ASPCA.
“Some people even think these silky beauties are the ancestors to all modern longhair cats,” say the ASPCA. “Little is known of their early stages, but these kitties most likely became domesticated when they sought out farms, shops, and monasteries as an escape from the brutal Siberian temperatures. Their first pet parents would have welcomed them for their sharp hunting skills, which meant fewer rodents indoors.”
If you’re thinking about buying a cat rather than rescuing one from a shelter, there are some important things to look out for to make sure you are buying from a responsible breeder.
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Firstly, you need to make sure the breeder is legitimate and ethical.
“If you’ve got a particular breed in mind, you can try looking on their breed club, this is often a reliable way to find a high-quality, trusted breeder,” say Purina on its website. “Alternatively, you can take your search to forums and Facebook groups, however it’s worth noting that often, this information will be biased and it’s likely to not be from professionals.”
“You could also try getting in touch with your local vet to ask if they know of any suitable breeders in the area,” it adds. “Chances are they will as they’ll be responsible for administering their initial health checks and kitten vaccinations.”
“The cuteness is off the charts, so sweet,” commented one user on Instagram.
“It is the most beautiful thing to see your kitten growing day by day,” wrote another.
And a third added: “That is just so precious, I wish they could stay tiny a little longer.”
Newsweek has reached out to Ana Vlahovic via email for comment.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.