Navigating Kitten Development: From Birth to Adoption

Guide to Determining a kittens age

Newborn Kittens:

When kittens are born, they are completely dependent on their mother. They are born with closed eyes and folded ears, unable to stand, regulate their body temperature, or feed independently.

Newborn kittens, just hours old, have distinct characteristics that differentiate them from older kittens. Understanding these features can help caregivers provide the appropriate care needed during this critical stage of development. Newborns still have their umbilical cord attached, which is usually moist and will dry up and fall off within a few days. The ears are also closed and folded flat against their heads. The fur is very fine and may appear slightly damp at birth. It will start to fluff up as the kitten dries. The coat color may not be fully developed, and patterns may not be clearly visible yet. Their skin is thin and delicate, and the kittens may appear somewhat wrinkled due to their lack of fat. The nose and mouth are proportionately larger compared to the rest of their face, and the nose is typically pink and moist.

First Week:

During their first week of life, kittens remain blind and deaf, relying entirely on their mother or caregiver. They weigh between 3-5 ounces and require round-the-clock care, including feeding every two hours.

One Day Old:

Three Days Old:

Six Days Old:

One Week Old:

Eight Days Old:

Nine Days Old:

Second Week:

Twelve Days Old:

Two Weeks Old:

Third Week:

Fifteen Days Old:

Sixteen Days Old:

Twenty Days Old:

Three Weeks Old:

Fourth Week:

Twenty-Two Days Old:

Twenty-Three Days Old:

Five Weeks Old:

Sixth Week:

Thirty-Seven Days Old:

Forty Days Old:

Six Weeks Old:

Seventh Week:

Forty-Five Days Old:

Forty-Seven Days Old:

Seven Weeks Old:

Eighth Week:

Fifty-Four Days Old:

Eight Weeks Old:

Fifty-Seven Days Old:

Ninth Week:

Sixty Days Old:

Sixty-Two Days Old:

Nine Weeks Old:

Tenth Week:

Kittens are unable to stand, eyes closed, ears folded.

Ears start unfolding; senses of smell, hearing, and taste begin developing.

Kittens begin to wiggle; eyes start opening.

Eyes are almost fully open but vision remains unfocused; they double their birth weight to about eight ounces.

Kittens snuggle together for warmth.

Eyes turn blue, a color that will change over the next few weeks as their true eye color develops.

Kittens continue to grow quickly. By the end of the second week, their ears are nearly fully uncurled, and they begin to crawl. They are still completely dependent on their caregiver for food and waste elimination.

Kittens start exploring away from their mother, though they are still unsteady on their feet.

By two weeks, kittens become more aware of their surroundings and begin interacting with their littermates. They start to develop their sense of smell, which may lead them to hiss at unfamiliar scents or sounds. Kittens also begin kneading, although their claws cannot retract yet.

In the third week, you can identify the kittens' genders. Their teeth begin to emerge, and they start walking more confidently. This is the time to introduce a litter box and wet food. Kittens become more playful and mobile, spending time engaging with their littermates.

Kittens still spend much of their time sleeping at fifteen days old.

Kittens become more playful, developing their fine motor skills.

By twenty days, kittens can eliminate waste independently, marking the start of litter box training.

At three weeks, kittens drink larger amounts per feeding but require fewer feedings, about four to five times a day. You can introduce solid food by mixing wet food with kitten formula. By the end of the week, they weigh approximately 15 ounces and walk steadily.

By four weeks, kittens are stable on their feet and actively play with each other, toys, and people. They resemble smaller versions of adult cats and begin showing interest in exploring their environment. This is an ideal time to begin socializing them.

Kittens' ears are fully extended, and they hold themselves up well. Their fur starts filling out, revealing whether they will have short, medium, or long fur.

Kittens become more active in play, crucial for their socialization and learning positive interactions with humans.

By five weeks, kittens begin to assert their independence and display their unique personalities while exploring their surroundings.

During the sixth week, kittens like Darling continue to grow more confident through socialization and play. They begin using the litter box and consuming cat food while still seeking comfort from their mother.

At forty days, kittens exhibit instinctual behaviors like stalking, hiding, pouncing, and digging, crucial for their development.

By six weeks, kittens are adept at self-grooming and grooming each other, strengthening sibling bonds. Introducing grooming during interactions helps simulate maternal care.

At forty-five days, kittens begin using scratching posts and learn basic routines like claw trimming, preparing them for life in their new homes.

During the seventh week, kittens are nearly weaned and continue learning through interactions with people, new environments, and other pets.

By forty-seven days, kittens are familiarized with different parts of the house, various objects, pets, and people, aiding their adjustment to new environments.

At seven weeks, kittens are almost fully weaned, becoming more independent while still seeking comfort from their mother and caregivers.

By eight weeks, kittens like Darling are ready for spaying or neutering and continue developing skills and independence. Caregivers start seeking adoptive homes while ensuring continued growth together.

At fifty-four days, kittens demonstrate improved eye-paw coordination and engage in more complex play activities under supervision.

By two months, kittens weigh about 2 pounds and can undergo spaying or neutering, marking a significant milestone in their development.

At nine weeks, kittens exhibit adult-like behaviors and body language, forming strong attachments to caregivers and seeking affection.

Around fifty-seven days, kittens' adult eye color becomes evident, reflecting their maturation.

By sixty days, kittens begin resembling adult cats more closely. Their growth rate slows down, focusing more on muscle tone and agility rather than rapid weight gain.

At sixty-two days, kittens establish a routine of regular sleep and eating intervals. They primarily consume solid food, with occasional nursing sessions from their mother, which soon taper off.

By nine weeks, kittens display adult cat behaviors, using body language to communicate with caregivers.

By ten weeks, kittens like Darling are fully weaned, spayed or neutered, and ready for adoption after thorough socialization with people.

By thirty-seven days, kittens are more steady on their feet, using their tails for balance.