Kitten Growth Summary
These are general age clues. A kitten may be smaller or larger depending on health, nutrition, breed, and birth size.
0-2 weeks: Eyes closed or newly open, no teeth or tiny teeth, bottle feeding.
3-5 weeks: Walking improves, teeth appear, kitten may start wet food.
6-8 weeks: More active, full baby teeth, eating kitten food more confidently.
How to Tell How Old a Kitten Is
You can find the age of a kitten by looking at a few body signs together. Using only one sign can be wrong if the kitten is thin or small.
Eyes: If the eyes are closed then the kitten is very young. Most kittens start to open their eyes after 7 to 14 days of life.
Ears: A newborn kitten has ears that are folded down. The ears will open and stand up straight as the kitten gets older.
Teeth: No teeth often means the kitten is under 2 weeks old. You will see baby teeth start to grow around 2 to 3 weeks.
Weight: Body weight is a simple clue but sick kittens can weigh much less than they should.
Walking: You can see if they crawl or walk to know the age. This helps to tell a newborn from a 6 week old kitten.
Feeding: Using a bottle or eating wet food is a good sign of age. Eating hard food means the kitten is older.
Litter box use: Kittens can start to use a small litter box when they are about 3 or 4 weeks old.
When Do Kittens Open Their Eyes?
Most kittens start to open their eyes between 7 to 14 days after birth. Some babies open them sooner or later but the process should happen on its own.
Kitten eyes usually look blue when they first open up. The eye color changes as the little cat grows older so blue eyes do not always mean a newborn.
You must never force a kitten to open its eyes. If the eyes look red or have crusty stuff on them then call a vet for help right away.
Kitten Age Chart by Physical Signs
Use this chart when you are not sure about the exact weight.
| Age | Common signs | Care stage |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn | Eyes closed, ears folded, cannot walk, sleeps most of the time. | Needs warmth and kitten formula every few hours. |
| 1 week | Eyes still closed or barely starting to open, tiny body, crawling. | Bottle feeding and bathroom stimulation. |
| 2 weeks | Eyes open, ears unfolding, still very wobbly. | Formula feeding continues. |
| 3 weeks | Runs, plays, baby teeth more visible, and eating more wet food. | Can begin litter box introduction. |
| 4 weeks | Walking better, playing a little, may start tasting wet food. | Weaning begins slowly. |
| 5-6 weeks | Runs, plays, baby teeth are more visible and eating more wet food. | Wet kitten food and litter box training. |
| 7-8 weeks | Full baby teeth, active, coordinated, eating kitten food. | Normal kitten care and vet schedule. |
The Ultimate Kitten Age Weekly Growth Chart
Check these quick weekly cards to see how a kitten looks, eats, and what they need as they grow.
Newborn Little Kitten
Looks like: Their eyes stay shut and ears stay folded. They have tiny bodies and cannot walk yet.
Eating: These babies only drink mother’s milk or special kitten formula to stay healthy.
Care tip: You must keep them warm and feed them very often throughout the day.
1 Week Old Baby Kitten
Looks like: Eyes are still closed or just starting to open. They crawl very slowly on the floor.
Eating: They still need formula or milk from their mother to grow big and strong.
Care tip: You might still need to help them use the bathroom with gentle stimulation.
2 Week Old Growing Kitten
Looks like: Their eyes are open and ears start to unfold. They still look very wobbly when moving.
Eating: Nursing or drinking formula is still the only way they get their food.
Care tip: Keep the feeding schedule steady so the baby cat stays full and happy.
3 Week Old Small Kitten
Looks like: Tiny teeth start to show up now. They begin to try walking, even if they fall
Eating: They mostly drink formula but they might start to sniff at solid food too.
Care tip: This is a great time to give them a very shallow litter box to use.
4 Week Old Active Kitten
Looks like: They walk much better now and stay alert. These kittens love to start playing with toys.
Eating: You can start giving them soft, wet kitten food during their meal times.
Care tip: Make sure the weaning process is slow and gentle for the little cat.
5-6 Week Old Playful Kitten
Looks like: They run and play a lot. You can see their teeth very clearly now.
Eating: Most kittens eat wet food with confidence and do not need as much milk.
Care tip: Monitor their weight and how they use the litter box to make sure they are okay.
7-8 Week Old Big Kitten
Looks like: They move with good coordination. All of their baby teeth have finally come in.
Eating: They eat kitten food and do not need formula to help them grow anymore.
Care tip: Talk to a vet about shots and checking for bugs to keep them safe.
Kitten Weight Chart
Monitor their weight closely, but also check for signs of sickness or hunger to keep them safe.
| Approx age | Average weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 85 to 115 g / 3 to 4 oz | Very small and fully dependent. |
| 1 week | 140 to 200 g / 5 to 7 oz | Should gain weight daily. |
| 2 weeks | 225 to 300 g / 8 to 11 oz | Eyes usually open. |
| 3 weeks | 300 to 400 g / 11 to 14 oz | Walking starts improving. |
| 4 weeks | 400 to 500 g / 14 oz to 1.1 lb | Weaning may begin. |
| 5 weeks | 500 to 600 g / 1.1 to 1.3 lb | More active and playful. |
| 6 weeks | 600 to 750 g / 1.3 to 1.7 lb | Eating wet food better. |
| 8 weeks | 800 to 1000 g / 1.8 to 2.2 lb | Often around adoption age. |
Kitten Teeth Chart
Teeth are one of the most helpful signs for young kittens.
| Teeth stage | Approx age | What you may see |
|---|---|---|
| No teeth | 0 to 2 weeks | Gums only. |
| Incisors | 2 to 3 weeks | Tiny front teeth start appearing. |
| Canines | 3 to 4 weeks | Small pointed teeth appear. |
| Premolars | 4 to 6 weeks | Side teeth begin to show. |
| Full baby teeth | 6 to 8 weeks | Most baby teeth are visible. |
Kitten Age Finder FAQ
How accurate is this kitten age finder?
The kitten age finder is only an estimate. You will need to look at their teeth, eyes and how they are walking.
Can a kitten’s weight show its exact age?
No the weight does help somewhat; however, some kittens are underweight due to nutritional issues, illness, parasites or the kitten has been separated from its mother too soon.
When do kittens open their eyes?
Most kittens open their eyes at approximately 7-14 days. Kittens eyes usually appear blue.
When can kittens eat wet food?
Most kittens are around 4 weeks of age when they can start experimenting with wet food. It is important to introduce the food gradually, especially for the very young, who should still be on kitten formula.