Cats are the second most popular pets in the US, and most pet parents start caring for them as kittens. Today, our Middlesex vets give you some information about when newborn kittens open their eyes and other tips about their early development.
If you've never seen a very young kitten before, you might be surprised at how different they look from their adult counterparts! Their eyes are usually closed tightly, and their ears are folded against their heads. They can't stand and are mostly helpless, but with proper love and care from their mother or caregivers, they'll grow up healthy and happy.
When do kittens start to see?
Kittens grow at different rates depending on various factors, but the majority of newborns open their eyes between the ages of 2 and 16 days. During this time, their vision gradually improves, though the two eyes may not open simultaneously. By the age of two weeks, both eyes are typically dilated, and by three weeks, many kittens can focus with both eyes. All newborn kittens have blue eyes, which change color as the kitten grows, usually settling on the true color around 8 weeks of age.
Caring for Your Newborn Kitten's Eyes
Keep very young kittens away from bright lights, which can damage or even destroy their developing eyes. If the kitten does not have a mother or is not properly cared for by its mother, it is your responsibility to keep the newborn kitten clean and healthy. Keep their faces clean with a warm, damp washcloth, and most importantly, never force a kitten's eyes to open before they naturally do. Patience is essential!
Issues to Watch for & How to Treat Them
Newborn kittens' eyes may develop a crust that prevents them from opening. This is a common problem caused by a bacterial or viral infection; keeping your kittens' bedding and shared areas clean and sanitary will help prevent infections from recurring or spreading to littermates. If your kitten's eyes have developed a matted crust, gently clean them with a cotton ball dampened with warm, clean water. Avoid soap at any cost! If your kittens' eyes do not improve, or worsen, contact your veterinarian right away to ensure they receive treatment.
Other Newborn Kitten Care Tips
Much like newborn human babies, newborn kittens spend much of their time sleeping, waking occasionally to be fed and cared for. Kittens are able to sense warmth and use their sense of smell to move towards their mother's belly and are dependent on a source of milk and warmth to aid them in their development.
Newborn kittens sleep approximately 22 hours per day, whereas more mature kittens and adult cats sleep less. Your kitten's mobility will improve around the time their teeth begin to emerge; by two weeks, they will be crawling, and by four weeks, they will be able to walk, jump, and play more consistently. This is also the time when they are more likely to cause mischief because they are curious and adventurous, and they are often eager to climb!
Warmth is Important for Newborn Kittens
Because newborn kittens are unable to regulate their body temperature, they tend to congregate around or on their mother. If your newborn kitten does not have a mother or littermate to keep their body temperature up, you will need to do more to keep them warm, such as placing a heating disk in the crate or a heating pad on low heat beneath a blanket in their enclosure. Create a small nest of blankets for the kitten to sleep in. It is critical that you use your hands to check the temperature of the heating pad and provide a comfortable place in your kitten's cage/crate where they can go if they become too warm.
You should continue to provide your kitten with a heating source until they are about 6 weeks old because if kittens get too cold they will catch hypothermia, for this reason, their area should be kept at 85ºF or 29ºC.
Newborn Kittens Need Proper Nutrition
Of course, feeding and providing proper nutrition is critical when caring for a newborn kitten. Every 2-4 hours, bottle feed your kitten with a special kitten formula. Because each kitten is unique, your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best formula to use, how much to feed them, and how often they should be fed. Kittens must gain about 12 ounces (14 grams) per day or 4 ounces (113 grams) per week to grow properly. Never give cow milk to your cat, and make sure they are fed the same formula. In order for your cat to digest food properly, it must also be kept warm.
When do newborn kittens start walking?
Kittens typically start walking between 2 and 3 weeks of age. They may be a bit wobbly at first, but will quickly gain strength and coordination.
Preventive Care for Your Kitten
No matter how old your kitten is, it's important to take them for their first veterinary appointment when appropriate. Your veterinarian will evaluate the health of your kitten as well as inform you of their dietary needs. This also provides you with the opportunity to ask any questions you may have in regards to the care of your new family member.
Ensuring your kitten gets routine preventive care is vital, including wellness exams, routine vaccinations, and parasite prevention.
Regular wellness exams give your vet the opportunity to assess the overall health and well-being of your kitten including their dietary requirements. Your vet will also be able to detect any diseases early before they become severe when they are easier and more affordable to treat.
You also need to make sure your kitten gets all of its vaccinations and parasite prevention care on schedule. Your kitten should come in for their first round of shots when they are 6 to 8 weeks old, and you should have them spayed or neutered when they are 5 to 6 months old. This prevents any serious diseases or conditions from arising in the first place.
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.