It is arduous 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 progress happens in the course of the first eight weeks of a kitten’s life. Take a look at this kitten timeline to be taught when to count on sure milestones in your kitten’s journey to turning into a cat.
New child Kitten
New child kittens have closed eyes and folded ears. They don’t have any tooth; their nostril, gums, and paws could look intensely pink. Kittens this younger have but to have a gag reflex or the power to thermoregulate. As nicely, their claws shall be non-retractable.
The umbilical twine shall be related and can fall off by itself round 4 to five days of age. At this stage of their life, kittens can not see nor hear; they will solely navigate the world round them by way of scents and searching 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 a lot of the day. Newborns can not defend themselves nor stroll however might be able to 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 are going to with meals, heat, grooming, and loo help. If the mama cat just isn’t round, kittens should be fed with a bottle and kitten method each two hours by a educated caretaker, stimulated to pee and poo, and saved at an appropriate temperature.
Week One
All cats shall be born with blue eyes, altering with age. A one-week-old kitten will its eyes shut however no umbilical twine. Claws will nonetheless be non-retractable, and they’ll nonetheless don’t have any tooth. 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 might take a number of days. One eye could open up extra rapidly than the opposite; it’s crucial to let the kitten’s eyes open at their very own velocity.
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 needs to be round twice their delivery weight. Offering light heat to maintain the kitten cozy and safe is important.
Habits: one-week-old kittens, although bigger than newborns, will nonetheless be primarily uncoordinated and sleep a lot of the day. At this stage, a kitten ought to be capable of 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 just isn’t current, they must be fed with a bottle and kitty method each 2 to three hours by a reliable caregiver, stimulated to go to the toilet, and saved at an applicable temperature.
Week Two
At 2 weeks, the kitten’s blue eyes shall be utterly open. Their imaginative and prescient shall be unhealthy, and so they will be unable to see issues which might be far-off. At this level, the ear canals shall be open; the ears shall be small and rounded, like an toddler bear. In case you open the mouth, you’ll uncover that there are nonetheless no tooth. Claws will nonetheless be non-retractable.
The typical temperature of a three-week-old cat is about 98-99 °F. They’ll weigh about 8.8-12.3 ounces or 250-350 grams. The kitten’s ambiance needs to be maintained at round 80 °F.
Habits: Two-week-old kitties shall be extra coordinated and begin trying their first steps. They are going to be unsteady and uncoordinated. Kittens this age could show some curiosity in regards to the world round them however won’t 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 just isn’t round, they should be fed within the bottle with kitten method each 3 to 4 hrs by a talented caretaker, stimulated to the toilet, and saved at an appropriate temperature. Two-week-old kittens could also be given a dewormer.
Week Three
At 3 weeks of age, a kitten could have blue eyes. Their tiny ears will start to appear like a kitten’s and level on the ideas. As nicely, their imaginative and prescient and listening to shall be slowly bettering. The primary tooth will begin to come out at this age. The little tooth in entrance of the mouth, referred to as the incisors, will start to emerge by way of the gums. Kittens will slowly start withdrawing their claws.
Three-week-old kittens nonetheless want a warmth supply. Nonetheless, they are going to be way more energetic and will get lost when not sleeping. Their temperature shall be round 99-100 °F, weighing about 12.3-15.9 ounces or 350-450 grams. The atmosphere needs to be about 75°F presently.
Habits: At this age, kitties shall be strolling about their atmosphere and will even begin experimenting with the litterbox. They may develop into inquisitive about cat toys, although they can’t but chase shifting issues. They’ll nonetheless sleep typically and would possibly start some little self-grooming habits. All through this week, their coordination shall be a lot improved.
Kitten care: Three-week-old kittens ought to all the time be with their mother. Present a shallow litter field with a non-clumping muddle. If the mama cat is ill-disposed, kittens needs to 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 could have clearer imaginative and prescient and listening to. The kitten’s tooth will proceed to develop. The lengthy tooth alongside the incisors, referred to as the canine tooth, will begin to push by way of beneath the gums. Claws shall be retractable at this level.
Proceed giving exterior warmth sources for 4-week-old kittens, though they are going to doubtless solely use it after they sleep. Kittens this age are about 99-101 °F and weigh about 15.9 ounces-1.2 further 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 shall be confidently exploring as they develop extra coordination. At this stage, they are going to 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 would possibly nonetheless be restricted, nevertheless bettering. They are going to be utilizing a litter field at this stage.
Kitten Care: 4–week-old kittens ought to all the time 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 needs to be bottle-fed each 5 hours, even by way of the evening.
Week 5
At 5 weeks, a kitten’s tooth will continue to grow. Additionally, you will discover premolars begin to come out. The eyes will nonetheless be blue, however the ears shall be pointed already. The claws shall be retractable.
At this stage, kittens shall be about 100-101 levels F and weigh about 1.2-1.4 further kilos or 550-650 grams. At this age, a house heating supply is now not required so long as the atmosphere is comfy with a temperature degree of 70-75.
Habits: 5-week-old kitties shall be operating and taking part in with confidence. They’ll begin to be taught social skills with human beings and different pets. Grooming skills shall be improved. As nicely, you will note improved litter field utilization at this age.
Kitten Care: A wholesome kitten at round 5 weeks could 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 be certain 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 tooth will begin to attain the final of their early growth, 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 burden shall 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 shall be assured interacting socially with friends, play-fighting, and pouncing. They are going to be desirous to discover and shall 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 must obtain ample 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 tooth could 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 coloration will change because the grownup eye coloration develops.
The standard temperature is about 100-101 °F and weighs about 1.7-1.9 further kilos or 750-850 grams. At this age, the heating supply is now not referred to as for as long as the temperature retains at 70-75°F.
Habits: Seven-week-old kitties will expertise a spike in power.
Sleep time shall be decreased, and the time for play shall be longer. At this age, kittens can run, climb cat bushes, and confidently bounce on furnishings.
Kitten Care: Kittens should obtain ample moist meals and will have kitten kibble and different strong 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 coloration of amber, inexperienced, brown, or blue. Their temperature shall 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 comfy at 70-75°F.
Habits: Eight-week-old kittens shall be energetic in addition to impartial. Their coordination and agility shall be virtually absolutely developed.
Kitten Care: Kittens want entry to a litter field and dry kitten meals or kitty kibble three to 4 instances each day. At this stage, they will get the vast majority of their energy from dry meals if they need. If two weeks have handed since their latest FVRCP injection, kittens could get a booster presently. It’s also good to run a fecal take a look at to search for internal 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 likely to be spayed/neutered, microchipped, and adopted.
Tips on how to Bathe a Kitten
- Make the water an appropriate heat temperature. Have a bit 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 forestall it from being chilly. You may also 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 would possibly assist to handle the cat higher and hold it comfy.
- Supply the kitten a fast however in depth 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 simply too moist, switch it to a tidy, utterly dry towel.
- Preserve the kitten with you; don’t put the kitten down till it is completely dry. If wanted, wrap a heating pad across the towel whereas the kitten is drying.