Why It's Important to Learn Your Kitten's Age
If you're raising a new kitten, knowing just how old it might be is essential to caring for it properly. Because kittens' needs change so quickly, a one-week-old kitten's requirements will be drastically different than those of a four-week-old kitten.
How to Tell a Kitten's Age
While we'll get into more details later in this post, here are four simple actions you can take to obtain a reasonably accurate estimate of your kitten's age.
1. Look at Their Teeth
When you're wondering how to tell how old a kitten is, you can bet the appearance of their teeth will give you a good indicator.
A kitten's baby teeth will begin to emerge when they are about three weeks old, and their permanent teeth will follow when they are about three to four months old. The middle incisors are usually the first to erupt around the 14-week mark. The second and third incisors typically come in at about 15 and 16 weeks.
Since kitten teeth are so small, it can be difficult to tell if their incisors are baby or permanent teeth. It's easiest to check their mouth periodically during this timeframe when you may be able to look at some of their baby teeth and some permanent teeth, and compare their sizes. The baby teeth are somewhat smaller and have pointed tips, while the permanent teeth are a little bit wider, with flat edges.
2. Check Your Kitten's Weight
A kitten's age in months will roughly correspond to his weight in pounds, and he will gain weight at a relatively predictable speed until he reaches about five months old. As long as your kitten is physically healthy, you can safely estimate that a one-pound kitten is about a month old and a three-pound kitten is about three months old.
3. Confirm Whether Their Eyes Are Open
Kittens are born with their eyes closed, and will open them once they turn about 10 days old.
4. Watch for Signs of Walking or Playing
Most kittens start to walk at around three weeks old, but will take a bit longer to become fully coordinated in their movements. You can comfortably estimate a kitten that's walking pretty well and playing is at least one month old.
Development & Behavioral Milestones
You'll probably need to bring your new kitten to a veterinarian, who can estimate your kitty's age during their first checkup. Here are some milestones to keep an eye out for to accurately estimate your kitten's age. Use this information like a "kitten age chart" or search online for images of such charts.
Newborn
- The nose and paws may be pink in color.
- Body temperature is typically low, around 95-97 degrees.
- The umbilical cord is still attached.
- They typically weigh between 50 and 150 grams.
- Their eyes are still closed and their ears are folded.
- They are still unable to see or hear.
One Week Old
- Your kitten's eyes will still remain closed.
- The ear canals will begin to open at around the seven-day mark.
- At around 8 to 12 days old, their eyes will gradually start to open. Never try to pry open a kitten's eyes; let this process unfold on its own.
- The umbilical cord has detached.
- By the time they are one week old, your kitten's birth weight should have doubled (to about 150 – 250 grams).
Two Weeks Old
- By this time, your kitten's eyes will be fully open and baby blue in color. His vision will still be developing.
- The ear canals will be open and the ears will appear small and rounded, similar to a baby bear cub.
- While your kitten will be wobbly on their feet, they will start trying to develop their coordination and movement.
- Your kitten should now weigh anywhere between 350-350 grams.
Three Weeks Old
- At three weeks of age, a kitten's first teeth will begin to erupt. The tiny teeth at the front of the mouth called the incisors, will start to poke through the gums.
- Three-week-old kittens will have ears that point upwards.
- At this age, kittens will be walking, exploring their surroundings, and even beginning to explore their litter box.
- The average kitten should weigh from 350-450 grams.
Four Weeks Old
- Your kitten's teeth will continue to develop and by this time their canine teeth will start to poke through the gums.
- Four-week-old kittens will be confidently exploring and developing more coordination that allows them to walk, run, and even begin to play.
- Your kitten should still weigh anywhere from 350-450 grams or roughly 1 pound.
Five Weeks Old
- The premolars will start to emerge, indicating that a kitten is ready to be introduced to weaning onto wet food.
- Your kitten should now weigh roughly 550-650 grams.
Six Weeks Old
- At six weeks of age, a kitten's deciduous teeth will have fully emerged, and she will typically be perfecting her weaning onto wet food.
- At this stage, your kitten can weigh 650-750 grams.
Seven Weeks Old
- At seven weeks, kittens will have all of their baby teeth. Most seven-week-old kittens will be fully weaned onto wet food.
- At this age, the adult eye color will begin to emerge. Kittens' eyes will change from baby blue to the eye color they will keep permanently. Kittens with grey, green, or yellow eyes are likely seven weeks or older.
- They will weigh around 750-850 grams.
Eight Weeks Old
- At eight weeks old, most kittens will be eating independently.
- Kittens of this age will have their permanent adult eye color.
- Your kitten should weigh about 850-950 grams or roughly two pounds.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.