by Angie Pollock

Created on: July 17, 2008   Last Updated: January 07, 2010

Just like with human babies, kitten development can vary from one infant to the other. At birth, a kitten is unable to see or hear and only weighs about three ounces but they are able to smell and touch. It doesn't take a newborn kitten very long to learn how to make enough noise to attract their mother.

Week One
During the first week, a kitten will double in weight. Their eyes a shade of blue will just start to open. They have no teeth and are just beginning to learn how to move around on their wobbly limbs. Their days will consist of eating and sleeping (mostly sleeping). A group of kittens will learn to mound themselves together for warmth and spread apart if they become too warm.

Week Two
During week two, the eyes are still opening and the ears begin to open between week one and two. The kittens will hiss at unrecognizable smells and are still dependent upon their mother for every need.

Week Three
There are a lot of happenings going on during the third week. At three weeks, the babies should have reached four times their birth weight. Their sense of sight and hearing has developed and their milk teeth will be starting to come in. Their eye color will begin to change from that pale blue to their adult color.

Their little digestive systems are developing and you will see the results in their living area. They are still dependent upon their mother but will try to stand, move around and socialize. This is a time to start handling the kittens to get them accustomed to human contact.

Week Four
Week four is a general time to introduce the litter box to kittens. Using their mother as guidance, kittens will learn from her what is expected. The litter box should be kept near their area of rest and have low enough sides for them to climb in and out.

Weeks Five and Six
During these two weeks, solid foods can be introduced to kittens. Solid foods should be finely-mashed or mixed with a liquid to make it soft enough to chew. Canned foods should be of high quality so there are no ill effects on their delicate systems. Dry cat food can be introduced and will be welcomed by kittens at the end of six weeks. Their sight has developed enough to be able to walk and run but they will still be unbalanced at times.

During this time, kittens will begin self-grooming and playing with their litter mates. This is wonderful time for kittens and their owners to really watch how they have developed as many will have taken on their own personalities by this age.

Weeks Seven and Eight
The small balls of fur should be fully independent at eight weeks. They will still need their mother for guidance but mom will spend more time away from her young and will discourage suckling. The mother cat will usually wean her kittens herself and there isn't a need to separate them from mom. Kittens will continue to learn from their mother for several more weeks as long as they aren't separated. Remember that as soon as the kitten is removed from their mother, you will need to take over in their training and the full care of their lives.

Sources:
A-Z OF CAT DISEASES & HEALTH PROBLEMS by Bradley Viner, copyright 1998.
HOW KITTENS GROW by Millicent E. Selsam, copyright 1992.
http://cats.about.com/cs/kittencare/a/tracksixweek.h tm
http://www.petplace.com/cats/just-for-kids-your-kitt en-s-first-6-weeks/page1.aspx

Learn more about this author, Angie Pollock.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.