Sometimes we don’t realize how old a kitten is. This is very important to know because eating, treating, and misjudging the age can harm kittens.
A cat’s age can be determined by its behavior and some physical signs. However, an experienced vet can determine the age very early.
Newborn – 7 days:
- Weight will be 3-4 oz.
- Eyes and ears will be closed.
- The skin will be pink.
- A partial pulse may be seen in the abdomen near the navel. On the 3rd day, it falls.
- The body trembles a little.
- The nose and forehead are parallel.
Week 1 – Week 2:
- Weight will be 6-8oz.
- Eyes and ears will partially open.
- The eye color is usually dark blue.
- My stomach crawls a little bit.
- Can hold the head and neck up for a while.
- Eats and sleeps most of the time.
- Can’t poop and pee alone.
- The nose begins to rise a little.
2 weeks – 3 weeks:
- Weight will be 6-12 ounces.
- Eyes will open completely.
- Can sit and touch objects with paws.
- Can walk a little bit and starts playing with something close by.
- The voice grew louder.
- Little teeth start growing in the gums and want to bite everything.
- Ears begin to open at 14 days and are fully opened at 21 days.
3 Weeks – 4 Weeks:
- Weight will be 8-12 oz.
- Can walk well and run with jumps.
- Can poop and pee alone.
- Can understand and look at sound.
- Eye color begins to change.
- Can lick himself clean.
4 weeks – 5 weeks:
- In 4–5 weeks, your cat’s weight will be 12 ounces – 1 pound.
- Can scratch the ground.
- Can run and wants to climb high.
- Food other than milk can be eaten little by little.
- Prefers playing more than sleeping.
- Learns to recognize the litter box.
- Wisdom teeth and gums emerge.
Week 5 – Week 6:
- Weight will be 1 lb-1.5 lb.
- Don’t want to stay in one place.
- Learn to be social.
- Eye color changes completely.
- Stops drinking milk.
- Learn to hunt.
More than 6 weeks:
- Learned to eat all kinds of food.
- Can use litter box regularly.
Some physical changes can tell you how old a kitten is
Eyes: A kitten’s eyes can provide valuable clues about their age. At birth, kittens are born with closed eyelids, which typically start to open around 7 to 10 days old.
Fully open eyes usually indicate a kitten is between 2 to 3 weeks old. However, the color of their eyes can also offer insights. Newborn kittens often have blue eyes that gradually change as they age.
By around 8 weeks old, their eye color will stabilize, reflecting their permanent hue.
Teeth: Examining a kitten’s teeth can provide another indication of their age. Like humans, kittens develop teeth at different stages. Around 2 to 4 weeks old, their milk teeth begin to emerge.
By 4 weeks, they’ll have a full set of 26 temporary teeth. As they grow, these milk teeth will eventually be replaced by permanent ones starting around 3 to 4 months old. Therefore, examining the condition and number of teeth can help estimate a kitten’s age range.
Ears: The appearance of a kitten’s ears can also offer clues about their age. At birth, their ears are typically folded and close to their head. As they grow, the ears gradually unfold and become more erect.
By 3 to 4 weeks old, most kittens will have fully erect ears. Additionally, observing any ear wax or debris can provide further insights into their age, as older kittens are more likely to have accumulated some ear dirt over time.
Coat and Body: The condition of a kitten’s coat and their overall body development can also help gauge their age. Newborn kittens have a fine, soft coat that becomes denser as they grow.
Around 3 to 4 weeks old, their coat starts to develop its adult texture and pattern. Additionally, observing their body size and coordination can provide clues about their age. Younger kittens tend to be smaller and less coordinated in their movements compared to older ones.
Behavior and Developmental Milestones: Finally, observing a kitten’s behavior and developmental milestones can give you an idea of their age.
Younger kittens will spend most of their time sleeping and nursing, while older ones become more active and curious about their surroundings.
Monitoring their ability to walk, play, and use the litter box can help pinpoint their age range more accurately.
Conclusion
Determining the age of a kitten is an essential step in providing proper care and meeting their specific needs. By examining various physical characteristics, such as their eyes, teeth, ears, coat, and behavior, you can make an educated estimate of their age range.
Remember, while these methods can provide valuable insights, they may not always be precise, so consulting a veterinarian for a professional assessment is always recommended.
With a better understanding of your kitten’s age, you can embark on a fulfilling journey of companionship and care, ensuring a happy and healthy life for your feline friend.