How to Tell the Age of a Stray Kitten
If you unexpectedly find a kitten by the roadside, how can you tell how old it is? When rescuing a young kitten, determining its age is extremely important. This affects what it should eat, how often it needs to be fed, and even whether it can survive without its mother.
Making a mistake in judging the kitten's age can lead to serious risks — such as feeding too infrequently or not providing enough warmth. For such a fragile little life, these errors can be life-threatening.
Tip: Always observe key signs such as eye opening, ear position, and mobility — they often reveal the kitten's age range.
Next, let's take a look at the appearance and behavioral traits of kittens from their first to eighth week after birth, so you can quickly grasp their stages of growth.
Week 1: The Soft and Helpless Newborn Kitten
Characteristics
- Eyes remain tightly closed.
- Ears are folded and lie flat against the head.
- They cannot see or hear yet.
- If the umbilical cord is still attached and dried out, the kitten is less than five days old.
Care Essentials
Newborn kittens cannot regulate their own body temperature and depend entirely on their mother, littermates, or a heat source such as a warm pad or bottle to stay warm. Without external warmth, they can quickly suffer from hypothermia.
Because their bodily functions are still developing, kittens at this stage also need help with elimination. Use a soft, warm, damp cloth to gently stimulate their abdomen and the area around the anus to encourage urination and defecation.
Feeding Tip: Newborn kittens require feeding every 1 to 2 hours, including overnight. This is the most demanding phase of kitten care, but proper warmth and consistent feeding are vital for their survival.
Week 2: A Kitten's Eyes Begin to Open
Characteristics
- Vision is still blurry
- Ears start to unfold
- Awake periods become slightly longer
Care Tips
Around the 8th to 12th day after birth, a kitten's eyes will slowly open, revealing a cloudy deep blue color. All newborn kittens are born with blue eyes, which will gradually change as they grow.
Continue keeping the kittens warm, as they are still unable to regulate their body temperature. Feeding intervals can now be extended to every 2–3 hours.
Week 3: Kittens Start Teething
Characteristics
- Tiny front teeth begin emerging from the gums.
- The ears stand upright for the first time.
- Kittens start walking, though still a bit wobbly.
- They become curious and try to explore beyond their nesting area.
Care Tips
Feeding intervals can now extend to once every 4–5 hours. However, kittens still need help with elimination. Some may begin experimenting with the litter box, showing early signs of independence.
Week 4 (One Month): Kitten Playtime Mode
Characteristics
- Begins to chase, pounce, and play-fight
- Canine teeth start to emerge
- Vision becomes noticeably sharper
Care Tips
At this stage, your kitten finally starts acting like a real little cat! This is also the golden period for socialization. Gentle petting and exposure to household sounds help them develop a calm, balanced temperament. Their ability to regulate body temperature is improving, though they still enjoy curling up in warm corners. Feeding sessions can now be reduced to once every five hours.
Week 5: Kittens Preparing for Weaning
Features
- Their premolars start to grow in.
Care Tips
- Begin introducing small portions of kitten wet food or soft supplements.
- Always provide clean, fresh water for them to drink.
- Keep monitoring their body weight to ensure steady, healthy growth.
By the fifth week, kittens are becoming more active and curious. This is an important stage where proper nutrition and hydration help them transition smoothly from nursing to eating solid food.
Week 6: Kittens Becoming Independent
Key Characteristics
- All baby teeth have emerged.
- Kittens can now eat on their own.
- They begin grooming themselves and their littermates.
- Energy levels and activity increase significantly.
Care Tips
At this stage, kittens are ready to explore a larger area under your supervision. You can safely let them wander within sight to satisfy their growing curiosity. It's also the right time to schedule their first round of vaccinations to keep them healthy as they continue to grow.
Week 7: Kitten Eye Color Begins to Change
Characteristic
The once-blue eyes of your kitten will gradually shift toward their permanent shade — green, yellow, amber, or sometimes they'll remain the same enchanting blue.
Care Focus
At this stage, your kitten is bursting with energy, exploring nonstop, and playing wildly until they suddenly "power down" into a deep nap. Their curious and unpredictable behavior is completely normal for this age.
- Provide safe toys that encourage healthy play.
- Ensure they have a quiet, comfortable space to nap.
- Establish a consistent feeding and play schedule.
Watching a kitten's eyes transform is one of the magical parts of early development — a small glimpse into the personality and beauty that will accompany them into adulthood.
Week 8 (Two Months): Kittens Are Ready for Adoption
Characteristics
- Weigh around two pounds (approximately 900 grams)
- Both physically and psychologically well-developed
Care Focus
At this stage, kittens are energetic, social, and affectionate. They start seeking human attention, respond to sounds, and show curiosity about their surroundings. This is also the ideal time to arrange their spay or neuter appointments.
With proper socialization, these young cats are ready to join their forever homes and continue growing into happy, healthy companions.
The Fast Growth of Kittens
Kittens grow surprisingly fast. In just two short months, they can go from helpless newborns who know nothing to energetic little furballs racing wildly around the house. Each stage of their growth holds clear signs if you know what to look for.
By learning how to observe these signs carefully, you can make the right judgments at every step — whether you're rescuing a stray kitten, fostering one in temporary care, or verifying the age listed at a shelter. Understanding these key points can make all the difference in giving a kitten the best start in life.
