Week 1: Days 1-7

• Kittens are born blind and deaf; their eyes are closed and their ears folded down; they are pinkish and smaller than your hand.
• The umbilical cord remains attached for the first three days.
• At birth they usually weigh between 2 and 4 ounces.
• They will need to be fed and helped with eliminations; if the queen is unwilling or unable, then they will need human assistance.
• Newborn kittens are unable to regulate their body temperature; the environment must be kept at 80-90 degrees.

Week 2: Days 8-14

• Eyes begin to open though vision is poor at this stage. The eyes are blue.
• Kittens should gain approximately half an ounce each day, and by day 14, a kitten should have doubled its birth weight.

Week 3: Days 15-21

• Kittens will begin to shakily move about and may try to walk or explore.
• Ears will be erect; eyes are wide open.
• Baby teeth begin to come in and they can now purr!

Week 4: Days 22-28

• Kittens are becoming more active and mobile.
• Their eyesight is improving, though not fully developed.
• Their sense of hearing is now well developed.
• They can start receiving mild replacer and water in bowls.

Week 5: Days 29-35

• At 28 days old, kittens should weight approximately 1 lb. Canned and dry food may be introduced.
• Kittens can start learning to use the litterbox.
• Kittens are more coordinated and are now physically active.

Weeks 6 to 8: Days 36-60

• Kittens should be eating 4 small meals a day, and by 8 weeks should be eating mostly solid foods.
• They should have almost all of their baby teeth by now.
• Healthy kittens this age are extremely active.
• Kittens will receive their first vaccines at about 8 weeks of age.
• At 2 months, they should weight about 2 lbs and can be spayed or neutered.