How to Determine the Age of a Kitten

  • Author

    Author
  • At a glance

    • Birth: Newborn kittens weigh between 90 – 100 grams, the umbilical cord is attached, eyes and ears are closed.
    • 0 – 3 days: The umbilical cord falls off on the third day, eyes are still shut.
    • 7 – 10 days: All kittens are born with blue eyes which begin to open from day seven.
    • 2 – 3 weeks: The kitten begins to stand, the eyes and ears open.
    • 4 weeks: The kitten starts playing and exploring her environment.
    • 5 weeks: Kittens are confident on their feet by this age.
    • 6 + weeks: The kittens are extremely active.

    Teeth

    Newborn kittens
    Newborn kittens

    Baby teeth:

    • 2 weeks: Deciduous incisors (the small teeth at the front) begin to come in.
    • 3 – 4 weeks: Deciduous canines (the long, pointy teeth next to the front teeth) begin to come in.
    • 4 – 6 weeks: Deciduous pre-molars (also known as bicuspids, these are the teeth located between the canine and molar teeth)  begin to come in.
    • 8 weeks: All baby teeth have come in.

    Adult teeth:

    • 12 – 16 weeks: Incisors come in.
    • 4 – 6 months: Canines, premolars, and molars come in.
    • 7 months: All adult teeth are fully developed.

    Eyes

    One week old kitten
    One week old kitten
    • 0-2 weeks: Eyes are sealed shut at birth.
    • 2 weeks: Eyes begin to open, eyesight is not developed yet.
    • 5 weeks: Eyesight is fully developed.
    • 6-8 weeks: Eyes start to change colour.

    Ears

    Two week old kitten
    Two-week old kitten
    • 0-3 weeks: Ears are folded, cats are deaf at birth.
    • 3 weeks: Ears prick up, hearing is well developed.

    Weight

    Three week old kitten
    Three-week old kitten
    • Birth: Kittens weigh 90-100 grams.
    • 1 week: Kittens have doubled their weight.
    • 2 weeks: Weight is now 300g.
    • 4 weeks: The kitten should now weigh 500 grams (18 oz).

    Activity

    Four week old kitten
    Four-week old kitten
    • 0-2 weeks: Kittens nurse and sleep.
    • 3 weeks: Some kittens are starting to stand.
    • 4 weeks: Kittens are becoming more active.

    Author

    • Julia Wilson, 'Cat World' Founder

      Julia Wilson is the founder of Cat-World, and has researched and written over 1,000 articles about cats. She is a cat expert with over 20 years of experience writing about a wide range of cat topics, with a special interest in cat health, welfare and preventative care. Julia lives in Sydney with her family, four cats and two dogs. Full author bio