It is laborious to imagine {that a} tiny kitten sufficiently small to suit the palm of your hand can develop a lot in a yr. However the reality is, lots occurs in the course of the first two months of a kitten’s life. Most development happens in the course of the first eight weeks of a kitten’s life. Try this kitten timeline to be taught when to count on sure milestones in your kitten’s journey to changing into a cat.
New child Kitten
New child kittens have closed eyes and folded ears. They haven’t any enamel; their nostril, gums, and paws might look intensely pink. Kittens this younger have but to have a gag reflex or the flexibility to thermoregulate. As effectively, their claws can be non-retractable.
The umbilical wire can be linked and can fall off by itself round 4 to five days of age. At this stage of their life, kittens can’t see nor hear; they will solely navigate the world round them by means of scents and looking for heat and luxury.
They are going to be about 95-97 °F at delivery and weigh about 1.8-5.3 ounces or 50-150 grams. It’s essential to safe a mild warmth supply for a new child cat.
Habits: Kittens this age sleep for many of the day. Newborns can’t defend themselves nor stroll however could possibly go round by crawling. A wholesome new child will squirm and in addition meow if dealt with.
Kitten Care: Child kittens belong with their mama cat full time, as they may with meals, heat, grooming, and toilet help. If the mama cat will not be round, kittens have to be fed with a bottle and kitten method each two hours by a educated caretaker, stimulated to pee and poo, and stored at an appropriate temperature.
Week One
All cats can be born with blue eyes, altering with age. A one-week-old kitten will its eyes shut however no umbilical wire. Claws will nonetheless be non-retractable, and they’re going to nonetheless haven’t any enamel. Round 7 days, the ear canals will open, and the ears will considerably unravel. The eyes will slowly open at round 8 to 12 days, which may take a number of days. One eye might open up extra rapidly than the opposite; it’s crucial to let the kitten’s eyes open at their very own pace.
They are going to be about 97-98 °F and about 5.3-8.8 ounces or 150-250 grams. By week 1, the kitten must be round twice their delivery weight. Offering mild heat to maintain the kitten cozy and safe is crucial.
Habits: one-week-old kittens, although bigger than newborns, will nonetheless be primarily uncoordinated and sleep many of the day. At this stage, a kitten ought to be capable to maintain its head up, transfer by wiggling its arms or legs, and be energetic and vocal.
Kitten Care: One-week-old kitties nonetheless unequivocally belong with mama cat. If mama will not be current, they have to be fed with a bottle and kitty method each 2 to three hours by a reliable caregiver, stimulated to go to the lavatory, and stored at an acceptable temperature.
Week Two
At 2 weeks, the kitten’s blue eyes can be fully open. Their imaginative and prescient can be dangerous, and so they will be unable to see issues which are far-off. At this level, the ear canals can be open; the ears can be small and rounded, like an toddler bear. Should you open the mouth, you’ll uncover that there are nonetheless no enamel. Claws will nonetheless be non-retractable.
The typical temperature of a three-week-old cat is about 98-99 °F. They may weigh about 8.8-12.3 ounces or 250-350 grams. The kitten’s ambiance must be maintained at round 80 °F.
Habits: Two-week-old kitties can be extra coordinated and begin trying their first steps. They are going to be unsteady and uncoordinated. Kittens this age might show some curiosity in regards to the world round them however is not going to be taking part in but, and can nonetheless spend most of their time sleeping.
Kitten Care: Two-week-old kittens nonetheless belong with their mommy full-time. If mama will not be round, they have to be fed within the bottle with kitten method each 3 to 4 hrs by a talented caretaker, stimulated to the lavatory, and stored at an appropriate temperature. Two-week-old kittens could also be given a dewormer.
Week Three
At 3 weeks of age, a kitten may have blue eyes. Their tiny ears will start to appear like a kitten’s and level on the suggestions. As effectively, their imaginative and prescient and listening to can be slowly enhancing. The primary enamel will begin to come out at this age. The little enamel in entrance of the mouth, known as the incisors, will start to emerge by means of the gums. Kittens will slowly start withdrawing their claws.
Three-week-old kittens nonetheless want a warmth supply. Nevertheless, they are going to be way more energetic and will wander away when not sleeping. Their temperature can be round 99-100 °F, weighing about 12.3-15.9 ounces or 350-450 grams. The atmosphere must be about 75°F presently.
Habits: At this age, kitties can be strolling about their atmosphere and will even begin experimenting with the litterbox. They may turn out to be curious about cat toys, although they can’t but chase shifting issues. They may nonetheless sleep typically and may start some little self-grooming habits. All through this week, their coordination can be a lot improved.
Kitten care: Three-week-old kittens ought to at all times be with their mother. Present a shallow litter field with a non-clumping litter. If the mama cat is ill-disposed, kittens must be bottle-fed with d kitten method each 4 to five hours by an skilled caretaker.
Week 4
At 4 weeks of age, a kitten may have clearer imaginative and prescient and listening to. The kitten’s enamel will proceed to develop. The lengthy enamel alongside the incisors, known as the canine enamel, will begin to push by means of beneath the gums. Claws can be retractable at this level.
Proceed giving exterior warmth sources for 4-week-old kittens, though they may doubtless solely use it after they sleep. Kittens this age are about 99-101 °F and weigh about 15.9 ounces-1.2 additional kilos or 450-550 grams. The kitty’s environment should stay cozy and by no means chillier than 70-75°F.
Habits: 4-week-old kittens can be confidently exploring as they develop extra coordination. At this stage, they may stroll, run, and even begin to play. With their developed senses, they are going to be considerably extra receptive, making fixed eye contact and reacting to environmental stimuli. Their grooming skills may nonetheless be restricted, nonetheless enhancing. They are going to be utilizing a litter field at this stage.
Kitten Care: 4–week-old kittens ought to at all times be with their mama cat. 4-week-old kittens will be launched to toys and can already be utilizing the litter field. Orphans of this age must be bottle-fed each 5 hours, even by means of the evening.
Week 5
At 5 weeks, a kitten’s enamel will continue to grow. Additionally, you will discover premolars begin to come out. The eyes will nonetheless be blue, however the ears can be pointed already. The claws can be retractable.
At this stage, kittens can be about 100-101 levels F and weigh about 1.2-1.4 additional kilos or 550-650 grams. At this age, a house heating supply is now not required so long as the atmosphere is snug with a temperature degree of 70-75.
Habits: 5-week-old kitties can be working and taking part in with confidence. They may begin to be taught social skills with human beings and different pets. Grooming skills can be improved. As effectively, you will note improved litter field utilization at this age.
Kitten Care: A wholesome kitten at round 5 weeks might start weaning. If within the means of weaning, meals and fluids are wanted aplenty. Kittens want ample “slurry” or moist meals, together with accessibility to their mom’s milk or a bottle. All the time give supplemental feeding and make sure that the kitten retains a wholesome weight all through weaning. Have a shallow litter field accessible to them always.
Week Six
At 6 weeks, a kitten’s enamel will begin to attain the final of their early improvement, and the molars will start to emerge. The eyes will nonetheless be blue, however their imaginative and prescient and listening to will absolutely develop.
Their physique temperature at this stage is round 100-101°F. The load can be about 1.4-1.7 kilos or 650-750 grams. An exterior warmth supply is now not wanted at this age so long as the realm is round 70-75°F.
Habits: Six-week-old kitties can be assured interacting socially with friends, play-fighting, and pouncing. They are going to be wanting to discover and can be curious. Grooming skills are additionally highly-improved at this level. Six-week-old kittens are coordinated sufficient to leap off furnishings and land on their toes.
Kitten Care: Kittens have to obtain adequate moist kitten meals if weaning. Give entry to water, meals, and a shallow litter field. At 6 weeks of age, kittens should get their first FVRCP vaccine to defend them towards viruses.
Week Seven
All child enamel may have absolutely emerged at 7 weeks previous. Male kittens’ testicles will begin to go down at round 7 weeks. At this age, the kitten’s blue eye colour will change because the grownup eye colour develops.
The standard temperature is about 100-101 °F and weighs about 1.7-1.9 additional kilos or 750-850 grams. At this age, the heating supply is now not known as for as long as the temperature retains at 70-75°F.
Habits: Seven-week-old kitties will expertise a spike in vitality.
Sleep time can be decreased, and the time for play can be longer. At this age, kittens can run, climb cat bushes, and confidently leap on furnishings.
Kitten Care: Kittens should obtain adequate moist meals and will have kitten kibble and different stable meals as a complement. Give accessibility to water, meals, and a litter field always.
Week Eight
At 8 weeks of age, a kitten’s eyes would be the grownup colour of amber, inexperienced, brown, or blue. Their temperature can be round 100-101°F, weighing about 1.9-2.1 kilos or 850-950 grams. Exterior heating is now not wanted at this age so long as the atmosphere is snug at 70-75°F.
Habits: Eight-week-old kittens can be energetic in addition to unbiased. Their coordination and agility can be virtually absolutely developed.
Kitten Care: Kittens want entry to a litter field and dry kitten meals or kitty kibble three to 4 instances every day. At this stage, they will get nearly all of their energy from dry meals if they want. If two weeks have handed since their current FVRCP injection, kittens might get a booster presently. It is usually good to run a fecal take a look at to search for inside parasites. A dewormer will be administered if the kitty has not been dewormed. At this age, in the event that they weigh 2 kilos and are wholesome, they is perhaps spayed/neutered, microchipped, and adopted.
Learn how to Bathe a Kitten
- Make the water an appropriate heat temperature. Have a bit of sink or a container all set with some heat water. If the kitten is soiled, you possibly can put a small quantity of Daybreak or child shampoo within the water.
- Have towels prepared to instantly dry the kitten off and stop it from being chilly. It’s also possible to heat the towels within the garments dryer forward of time.
- Delicately maintain the kitten by the scruff and maintain its physique together with your different hand. This may assist to handle the cat higher and preserve it snug.
- Supply the kitten a fast however intensive tub to get dust and feces off them. For instance, if the butt is filthy, solely submerge the butt, not the entire kitten.
- Rinse the kitty off with heat water and promptly wrap it in a towel.
- Scrub vigorously to get the kitty dry. If the primary towel is just too moist, switch it to a tidy, fully dry towel.
- Hold the kitten with you; don’t put the kitten down till it is solely dry. If wanted, wrap a heating pad across the towel whereas the kitten is drying.