Kitten Stages

One week old kittens

At this age they will sleep 90% of the time and feed the other 10%. They should nurse vigorously and compete for nipples. Newborns can nurse up to 45 minutes at a time. Getting cold is the number one danger to newborn kittens. Be sure to watch kittens nursing at least once a day, if mother cat will permit it. Check that everyone is nursing. A great deal of activity and crying could indicate a problem with milk flow, quality or availability. When the queen re-enters the box, there should be some fussing for only a few minutes before everyone has settled down to serious nursing.

Two week old kittens

Eyes will open between 8 and 14 days. Kittens have blue eyes, and initially no pupils can be distinguished from the irises – the eyes will appear solid blue. Ear canals open between 5 and 8 days. Healthy kittens will be round and warm, with pink skin. If you pinch them gently, there skin should spring back. When you pick a kitten up it should wriggle energetically, and when you put it down near the mum it should crawl back to her. Healthy kittens seldom cry.




Three week old kittens

The queen will begin to spend larger periods of time out of the nest, though she will not go far from it. Kittens ears will become erect. They will begin to crawl around day 18, and can stand by day 21, toddling about on wobbly legs. They start to notice their surroundings and begin to play with each other. Milk teeth erupt. They learn to sit and touch objects with their paws. They begin their socialisation phase and are strongly influenced by the behaviour of their mother for the next six weeks. Increase the amount of handling to further socialise them to humans.




Four week old kittens

Adult eye colour will begin to appear. They begin to see well, and their eyes start to look and function like adult cats’ eyes, Toy mice and balls make kittens happy, empty rolls of toilet paper, paper bags and screwed-up balls of paper also make good, cheap toys. They begin to jump and play more robustly, and you will notice different personalities emerging. They will start cleaning themselves, though their mother will continue to do most of the serious cleaning. Kittens can begin to eat from a bowl and use their litter tray.




Five week old kittens

Provide 5-6 meals per day, increasing the size of the meals.





Six week old kittens

Feed the kittens at least three meals daily, although constant access to food is best. If one kitten appears food possessive, use a second dish and leave plenty of food out so that every kitten can eat. Thicken the food by using less water. By this time you have kittens that will wash themselves; use scratching posts; play games with each other, their toys, and you; and may come when you call them.




Seven week old kittens

Kittens should be eating undiluted tinned food. You can introduce them to good quality dry kitten food. You may need to soak the biscuits in boiling water at first. We recommend Hills Science Feline Growth. There are other premium diets available. Ask you pet shop or vet clinic for advice.




Eight week old kittens

Hopefully you will now have healthy, plump and well socialised kittens. If they are eating completely on their own, and are in good condition, they may be removed from the queen.