Kitten Care

The newly born kitten weighs between 2.5 and 5 pounds and is between 4 and 6 inches in length. They are born with their eyes closed and ears folded back, so they are unable to see or hear. They are completely dependent on their mother and are also unable to walk.

At around 5 to 10 days old their eyes will begin to open and will fully open between 8 and 20 days of age. Most kittens are born with a bluish eye color but will change at around 12 weeks of age.

Kittens typically start to crawl at 16 to 20 days old. They walk around 21 to 25 days old and run at 4 to 5 weeks old.

They start to eat solid foods at 3 to 4 weeks old, at which time litter box training can begin (see below), and are fully weaned at about 8 weeks old.

They have all their milk teeth at 8 weeks of age and permanent teeth will appear around 12 to 18 weeks. They learn to bathe themselves and play at around 4 to 5 weeks. They will start practice hunting between 6 to 8 weeks old.

Kittens shouldn't be taken from their mother before they are at least 6 weeks old. It is better however, to wait until they are 8 weeks or older and are completely weaned from their mother. Kittens are completely independent at 6 months old.

Veterinary Schedule: At 3 weeks of age you should discuss worming your kitten with your vet. Kittens should get their first vaccination at 9 weeks. Their second should be around 12 weeks. Females can be spayed around 16 weeks of age and males neutered at around 36 weeks.

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Litter Box Training: Since cats are naturally very clean, litter box training is relatively easy. If a kitten has been around its mother then it will learn by example otherwise you will need to help it learn. When a kitten reaches between three to four weeks it will first begin to eat solid foods and this is a good time to introduce the litter box.

Put the litter box in a quiet but convenient location and make sure that the kitten can get into it easily. Put the kitten into the litter box frequently, especially when they look ready to go. You can tell that a kitten is ready to use it because it will crouch with its tail raised. If the kitten is already in the processes of relieving itself simply put the kitten into the box. Never scold or rub your kitten's nose in the urine or dropping when it doesn't use the box. This will actually condition the kitten to use that area as their toilet because they will be attracted to the scent.

For more information on litter boxes and litter types see the Litter Box Tips page.

Before you adopt a kitten be sure to read the How to Pick a Cat or Kitten page which tells you what to look for in a kitten or cat.

Also check out the Introducing to Your Family page, which has great tips for making bringing home your cat or kitten easy.