To tell how old a kitten is, you can use several physical and behavioral indicators that correspond to typical developmental milestones:
Key Indicators to Estimate Kitten Age
1. Eyes and Ears
- Newborn kittens have closed eyes and ears folded shut.
- Eyes begin to open around 7 to 10 days old, usually starting with a blue color.
- By 2 to 3 weeks, eyes are fully open and ears start to stand up.
- Eye color begins changing from blue to their permanent color (green, yellow, etc.) around 6 weeks and is usually set by 8 weeks
2. Teeth Development
- Baby teeth start to appear around 3 weeks old, beginning with incisors.
- By 6 weeks, all baby teeth have usually come in.
- Permanent teeth start replacing baby teeth between 10 to 12 weeks and are usually complete by 5 months.
- Baby teeth are smaller and pointed; adult teeth are larger and flatter
3. Weight and Size
- Weight roughly correlates with age: about 1 pound per month until 5 months.
- Newborns weigh about 3-4 ounces; by 4-5 weeks, they weigh 12 ounces to 1 pound.
- At 8 weeks, kittens typically weigh 1.5 to 2 pounds and look like miniature adult cats
4. Mobility and Behavior
- Kittens start crawling around 2 weeks.
- Walking begins around 3 weeks, initially unsteady.
- Playing and social behaviors increase significantly by 4 to 5 weeks.
- By 6 to 8 weeks, kittens are active, exploring, and fully weaned
Summary Age Guide
Age Range| Key Features
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0-1 week| Eyes and ears closed, pink skin, very small size
1-2 weeks| Eyes opening, ears unfolding, crawling begins
2-3 weeks| Eyes fully open, ears erect, baby teeth erupting
4-5 weeks| Playing, eating solid food, using litter box
6-7 weeks| Eye color changing, active exploration
8 weeks| Fully weaned, permanent eye color, ~2 lbs
3-5 months| Baby teeth replaced by permanent teeth
Using these developmental milestones-especially eye opening and color, teeth eruption, weight, and behavior-you can estimate a kitten’s age fairly accurately
. For the most precise determination, a veterinarian can provide an expert assessment. This approach helps ensure proper care tailored to the kitten’s developmental stage.
