First Feedings

If Nursing from Mother:

• Ensure all kittens are nursing and have access to a nipple.
• Check for "milk bands"—visible white milk in the stomach.
• Monitor suckling time; it should be steady and vigorous.
• Watch the mother's comfort and behavior.

If Bottle Feeding:

• Use only commercial kitten milk replacer (KMR)—never cow's milk.
• Feed every 2-3 hours, around the clock.
• Start with 2-6 ml per feeding, depending on kitten size.
• Burp the kitten gently after each feeding by holding it upright and patting its back.

Week 1: The Neonatal Period (Days 1-7)

Physical Development

Appearance:

• Eyes: Sealed shut.
• Ears: Folded and sealed.
• Umbilical Cord: Attached at birth; dries and falls off around days 3-5.
• Weight: Typically 85-115 grams (3-4 ounces) at birth.
• Growth Goal: Should gain approximately 14 grams (1/2 ounce) per day.

Mobility:

• Cannot walk.
• Crawls using front legs only, moving toward warmth and scent.
• Exhibits a strong rooting reflex to seek the nipple.

Eye Development Timeline

When Eyes Typically Open:

• Earliest: Day 7
• Most Common: Days 8-12
• Latest Normal Range: Day 14-16
• Note: Both eyes may open 1-2 days apart.

What to Expect Upon Opening:

• Eyes initially appear blue (this is not their permanent color).
• Vision is very poor and blurry.
• Eyes may remain slightly cloudy.
• Kittens cannot focus properly yet.

⚠️ Important Warning: Never attempt to force a kitten's eyes open, as this can cause permanent damage, including blindness.

Week 2: Sensory Awakening (Days 8-14)

Eyes Opening Process

Physical Changes:

• Eyes begin opening from the inner corner outward.
• They appear blue-gray initially.
• Start as small slits, gradually widening.
• Vision remains extremely limited.

Care During This Phase:

• Maintain a clean environment to prevent infection.
• Watch for eye discharge.
  • Normal: Clear, watery discharge.
  • Concerning: Colored (yellow/green), thick, or crusty discharge—consult a vet.

Ear Development

Ear Opening:

• Begins around days 6-10.
• Ears start to unfold and lift away from the head.
• Hearing begins to develop.
• By the end of week 2, kittens may startle at loud sounds.

Mobility Improvements

Week 2 Abilities:

• Crawling becomes more coordinated.
• First attempts to stand, often with a wide, wobbly stance.
• Back legs gain strength.

Feeding Schedule (Week 2)

Nursing Kittens:

• Feed every 3-4 hours.
• Mother's milk is sufficient if she is healthy and producing well.

Bottle-Fed Kittens:

• Increase to 6-10 ml per feeding.
• Feed every 3-4 hours (approximately 8-12 feedings daily).
• Begin establishing a more predictable feeding schedule.

Week 3: The Transitional Period

Sensory Development

Vision:

• Eyes are fully open.
• Color is still blue.
• Can detect movement and slowly follow objects.
• Depth perception is poor.

Hearing:

• Ears are fully upright.
• Actively responds to sounds and may recognize familiar voices.
• Begins orienting head toward sound sources.

Sense of Smell:

• The primary sense for finding their mother.
• Recognizes littermates and familiar scents.

Physical Growth & New Skills

Week 3 Milestones:

• Weight: Around 280-340 grams (10-12 ounces).
• Mobility: Attempts to walk with a wobbly, uncoordinated gait.
• Teeth: Baby (deciduous) teeth begin to emerge.
• Elimination: Starts to eliminate on own, though the mother still stimulates.

Introducing the Litter Box

Week 3 Litter Training Tips:

• Place a very low-sided box with non-clumping, unscented litter near the nesting area.
• Gently place kittens in the box after they eat.
• Most learn by observing their mother. Be patient.

Week 4: Exploration Begins

Major Milestones

Vision:

• Begins tracking moving objects.
• Depth perception starts to develop.
• Explores the world more by sight.

Hearing:

• Fully functional.
• May startle at unexpected sounds.
• Begins to recognize feeding cues and may respond to a name.

Mobility:

• Walks with much better coordination.
• Attempts running (often clumsy).
• Begins to play and make climbing attempts.

Social Development

Week 4 Socialization:

• Plays actively with littermates (wrestling, tumbling).
• Learns bite inhibition through play.
• Vocalizations become more distinct (meows develop).

Introduction to Solid Food (Weaning Start):

• Begin the weaning process.
• Offer a "gruel" made by mixing high-quality kitten wet food with kitten formula.
• Provide multiple small meals daily.

Weeks 5-6: Rapid Development

Physical Abilities

Week 5:

• Runs with coordination.
• Attempts jumping and precise pouncing.
• Begins awkward self-grooming.

Week 6:

• Walks with an adult-like gait.
• Runs confidently and climbs successfully.
• Plays purposefully with toys.

Weaning Progress

Feeding Schedule:

• Week 5: Offer 4-5 meals of gruel daily.
• Week 6: Mix gruel with increasingly more solid wet food.
• Continue to provide nursing or bottle supplementation as needed.
• Always have fresh, shallow water available.

Guidelines:

• Offer food 4-6 times daily, allowing kittens to eat until full.
• Monitor weight gain closely.
• Ensure all kittens in a litter are getting adequate food.

Weeks 7-8: Preparing for New Homes

Physical Milestones

By 8 Weeks:

• Weight: Typically around 1 kg (2 pounds).
• Diet: Fully or nearly fully weaned onto solid kitten food.
• Habits: Using the litter box consistently.
• Activity: Running, jumping, and playing normally.

Eye Color Changes:

• The blue color begins to change.
• True eye color emerges between 7-12 weeks.
• Final color is usually set by 3-4 months, though some changes can occur up to a year.

Social Readiness for Adoption

8-Week Assessment Checklist:

• Confident and comfortable with human handling.
• Plays appropriately (not too rough).
• Uses the litter box reliably.
• Eats solid food independently.
• Is properly weaned.

Recommended Adoption Age:

• 8 weeks: Absolute physiological minimum.
• 10-12 weeks: Preferred for better socialization and stability.
• 12+ weeks: Ideal for learning crucial cat social skills from mother and littermates.

Critical Developmental Periods

1. Neonatal Period (0-2 Weeks)

Critical Needs:

• Warmth: Cannot thermoregulate.
• Nutrition: Feeding every 2-3 hours.
• Stimulation: Requires help to urinate and defecate.
• Handling: Minimal, gentle handling only.

2. Transitional Period (2-4 Weeks)

Critical Needs:

• Sensory Stimulation: Eyes and ears open, exposing them to the world.
• Social Interaction: Begins with littermates.
• Diet Introduction: Start of weaning to solid food.
• Litter Training: Introduction to the litter box.

3. Socialization Period (4-12 Weeks)

Critical Needs:

• Human Interaction: Positive, gentle handling by various people.
• Environmental Exposure: Safe exposure to household sounds, sights, and surfaces.
• Play: Crucial play with littermates for social skills.
• Positive Experiences: Builds a foundation for a confident adult cat.

Health Monitoring Checklist

Daily Checks

Weight:

• Should gain about 14 grams (1/2 ounce) daily in the first weeks.
• Consistent gain is essential. Use a digital kitchen scale.
• Any plateau or loss requires immediate veterinary attention.

Hydration:

• Check for good skin elasticity (skin snaps back when gently pinched).
• Gums should be moist and pink.
• Monitor for regular urination and defecation.

Activity Level:

• Should increase noticeably each week.
• Should be responsive to stimuli when awake.
• Should have alert, active periods between long sleep sessions.

Warning Signs Requiring Action

Emergency Symptoms (Seek Vet Immediately):

• Not eating for 12+ hours.
• Lethargy or unresponsiveness.
• Labored breathing, gasping, or open-mouth breathing.
• Diarrhea, especially if bloody.
• Constant, distressed crying.
• Failure to gain weight or weight loss.
• Body feels cold to the touch.

Contact Your Veterinarian If You Notice:

• Eye discharge, swelling, or eyes sealed shut with pus.
• Nasal discharge or sneezing.
• Bloated or distended belly.
• Inability to urinate or defecate.
• Generalized weakness.
• Kitten being rejected or ignored by the mother.

Special Guide: Caring for Orphaned Kittens

Additional Challenges

Orphaned kittens face higher risks and require more intensive care:

• No mother's warmth or grooming.
• Miss out on colostrum (the first milk rich in antibodies).
• You must stimulate them to eliminate after every feeding.
• Higher mortality risk necessitates vigilant monitoring.

Essential Care Protocols

Elimination Stimulation:

• Use a warm, damp cotton ball or soft cloth.
• Gently rub the genital and anal area in a circular motion.
• Perform this after every feeding until kittens are 3-4 weeks old.

Emotional & Comfort Needs:

• Provide a warm, soft stuffed animal for cuddling.
• Handle them gently and talk to them softly.
• In the early weeks, you cannot "over-cuddle"; social contact is a need.

Milestone Timeline Summary

Conclusion

The first eight weeks of a kitten's life are a period of astonishingly rapid transformation. From helpless, blind newborns to playful, curious explorers, each stage requires specific care and understanding.

Final Key Reminders:

• Patience is Paramount: Never rush development, especially eye opening.
• Warmth is Life-Saving: Hypothermia is a leading cause of death in neonates.
• Frequent Nutrition is Non-Negotiable: Tiny stomachs need constant, appropriate refueling.
• Daily Monitoring is Essential: Consistent weight gain is the best indicator of health.
• Early Socialization is Foundational: The experiences from weeks 4-12 shape a cat's personality for life.

By understanding these milestones, you can provide the precise care needed at each stage, giving every kitten the best possible start for a long, healthy, and happy life.