Kittens typically begin to open their eyes between 7 and 14 days of age, with the process often starting around 8 to 12 days. Their eyes are usually fully open by about two weeks old. However, some variation exists, and kittens may start opening their eyes as early as 2 days or as late as 16 days
. At birth, kittens' eyes are closed to protect them from infection and damage. When their eyes first open, they usually appear blue, as the pigment cells in their eyes are not yet active. The true eye color typically develops by around 8 weeks of age. Vision continues to improve gradually after the eyes open, with many kittens able to focus with both eyes by 3 weeks old
. In summary:
- Eyes start to open: roughly 7 to 14 days old (can range 2–16 days)
- Eyes fully open: by about 2 weeks old
- Eye color changes from blue to adult color: around 8 weeks old
This timeline is typical but can vary slightly depending on the individual kitten
