To determine how old your kitten is, you can look at several physical and behavioral signs that correspond to typical developmental stages:
- Eyes : Newborn kittens have their eyes closed. Eyes usually start opening between 7 to 10 days old and are fully open by 2 weeks. All kittens are born with blue eyes, which begin changing to their adult color around 6 to 8 weeks old. If your kitten’s eyes are still fully blue, it is likely younger than 6 weeks
- Ears : Ears are folded down at birth and start unfolding around 1 to 2 weeks. By 3 weeks, ears stand upright
- Teeth : Kittens have no teeth under 3 weeks old. Baby teeth start to appear around 3 to 4 weeks, with canines emerging at about 4 weeks. Adult teeth begin replacing baby teeth around 4 to 6 months
- Weight and Size : Weight can help estimate age roughly. For example, a 1-pound (about 450g) kitten is around 4 weeks old, and a 2-pound (900g) kitten is about 8 weeks old. Kittens gain roughly a pound per month in early growth stages
- Mobility and Behavior : Newborns cannot walk and have limited movement. By 3 weeks, kittens start walking and playing. By 6 to 8 weeks, they are active, eating solid food, and fully litter-trained
Using these signs, you can estimate your kitten’s age by observing eye color and openness, ear position, teeth development, weight, and activity level. For precise aging and care advice, a veterinarian can provide an accurate estimate based on a physical exam
