Amazing Guide of Kitten Development in the First 10 Weeks of Life

Raising a kitten is no easy task. As an owner, you have to know exactly what your kitten, or the kittens in your cat’s litter need. This includes how much attention they need, how frequently you will need to take them to visit the veterinarian, how much food to give them as they age, how to socialise them successfully with other animals and so much more.All of these things do not come naturally as a cat owner because the way in which kittens develop is a relatively swift process, meaning that the things that they need and their behaviour will change regularly. This makes raising a kitten a difficult task. A kitten that is only two weeks old will not need the same things as a kitten that has already reached six weeks old and vice versa. Luckily, when your kitten reaches twelve weeks old, things will start to steady out nicely. We have taken some time out to compile this expert guide so that you know everything from how to deal with your first case of kitten diarrhoea to when you should be working out which vaccinations your kittens need. This article should help you to understand what your responsibilities are and what to expect over the coming weeks.

kitten growth chart

1. One Day Old Kittens (Newborn Kittens)

2. One Week Old Kittens

3. Three Week Old Kittens

4. Four Week Old Kittens (A Month Old Already)

5. Six Week Old Kittens

6. Eight Week Old Kittens (Two Month)

7. Ten Week Old Kittens

Kitten Development FAQs

1.One Day Old Kittens (Newborn Kittens)

• A. How Much Should A Newborn Kitten Weigh?
• B. Behaviour, Attention, Activity And Care
• C.What Should You Feed A Newborn Kitten?
• D. How Do You Feed A Newborn Kitten?
• E. How Much Should You Feed A Newborn Kitten And How Often?
• F. How Do You Take Care Of An Orphaned Kitten?

a. How much should a newborn kitten weigh?

Approximate Weight

Most newborn kittens should weigh somewhere in the region of 100g.

It is worth noting that there will be no tiny, sharp kitten teeth at this point. If you do notice any form of deformity, or you are worried about the size of your kitten or the kittens in your litter, then you should aim to contact a veterinarian for advice as quickly as possible.

Why is this weight an approximate weight?

When we are talking about a kitten’s weight, there are a few different factors that can affect how much a kitten weighs and they all need to be taken into consideration. This means that we cannot give you an accurate measurement.For example, if your kitten is of a large breed, then you can expect it to weigh more than a small breed of kitten would. The opposite could be said about a litter that produces a lot of kittens, where each of them should really weigh less than that average weight.

b. Behaviour, Attention, Activity and Care

What does behaviour, attention, activity and care mean?

When we are talking about behaviour, attention, activity and care, we are actually talking about a plethora of different things that make up everything from your responsibilities as a kitten owner to all of the different behavioural aspects of your young kitten’s life that you should notice.At this point in time, you should really be paying attention to the physical things that could affect your kitten and whether or not everything is going smoothly. Remember to consult a professional if you notice anything unusual.

What are newborn kittens like?

One thing that you should know is that newborn kittens are naturally very unresponsive. When they are first born, their eyes and their ear canals are completely closed so they cannot interact with their environment. Newborn kittens cannot see or hear anything that is going on around them, which is why it is incredibly important for them to stay close to their mother cat for as long as possible. If you have a new litter, then you will probably notice that your kittens sleep a lot.If you look closely, then you will probably see that there is still an umbilical cord attached to your newborn kitten. You should leave this alone as it will dry up and fall off within a few days, but your kitten’s sense of smell, hearing and taste will slowly develop over the coming weeks.

Caring for Newborn Kittens

As an owner, it is your responsibility to leave your kittens alone for a little while when they are newborn. Your kitten will be able to purr and make distress calls, but you might not be able to hear them at this point in time. The mother cat will be able to. Don’t expect your newborn kittens to get up and start running around your living room just yet. They will only really be able to eat, sleep and pass waste when their mother cat prompts them to do so. You should leave them alone at this point, as they will rely on their mother cat for everything from staying warm to enabling them to get rid of their own waste. If you do have an orphaned kitten on your hands, then things are naturally a little bit different. You can find more information about how to care for an orphaned kitten further down this page.

c.What should you feed a newborn kitten?

Best Food: Provided by the mother cat or specialised kitten formula.

It is safe to say that you should avoid feeding a newborn kitten anything by yourself. Your newborn kitten could end up with a form of kitten diarrhoea if it eats anything that is should not eat and this can be life threatening. Your kitten will rely solely on its mother cat for everything, including regular feeds.

Feeding an Orphaned Kitten

If you have an orphaned kitten on your hands, then you will have to feed it by hand. It is your responsibility as an owner and a caregiver to make sure that you are using a specialised kitten formula. Do not give a newborn kitten milk that has been designed for adult cats or milk that has been sourced from other animals, as both of these things could lead to diarrhoea and then dehydration. Make sure that you use a specialised kitten milk replacer, something that most pet supply stores will stock.

Best Food	Direct from the mother cat.
Alternative Option	A specialised kitten milk replacer for orphaned kittens.

d. How do you feed a newborn kitten?

When should you feed a newborn kitten?

Remember that you should only feed a newborn kitten by yourself if it has been orphaned. This should still be a last case resort, as there are also cats who will foster newborn kittens that have been orphaned. If you have an orphaned kitten on your hands, then you should make sure that you follow the above advice on what you should feed a newborn kitten before you get started. You also need to make sure that you have a set of specialised kitten bottles.

How do you feed an orphaned kitten?

Before you start to feed your kitten or kittens, you will need to make sure that they are on their stomachs and not on their backs like a baby would be. You then simply have to tilt the bottle slightly while the kittens feed.After they have finished feeding, they will need to be burped. In order to do this, you need to make sure that they remain on their stomachs and then gently pat them until they burp.

Step One:	Make sure that you have a specialised kitten milk replacer and a set of kitten bottles.
Step Two:	Make sure that all of the kittens that you have to feed are laying on their stomachs.
Step Three:	Tilt the bottle while the kittens feed.
Step Four:	While the kittens are on their stomachs, gently pat their backs until they burp.

e. How much should you feed a newborn kitten and how often?

If you have to feed an orphaned kitten, and you are following the advice that is laid out above, then you will need to feed your kitten every two hours.

This means that you will have to get up regularly through the night. Make sure that you do not risk not feeding your kitten through the night because dehydration is something that regularly kills newborn kittens. Keep on reading to learn more about how to care for orphaned kittens.

f. How do you take care of an orphaned kitten?

A Word of Advice

Before we go into any detail, it is important to remember that experts consider it to be absolutely vital that every kitten remains with its mother for at least five weeks. This is because that time period enables the kitten to learn vital “cat” skills.You should only ever follow the next steps if your kitten is really an orphan and you should never take a kitten away from a cat with the intent of following these steps unless there is a serious problem. If you find orphaned kittens outside, then you will need to arrange for them to be checked over by a vet.

Keeping Orphaned Kittens Warm

You will also need to be aware of the fact that newborn kittens are unable to control their own body temperatures until they are 3 – 4 weeks old. This means that they can get cold easily and that cold can be life threatening.Make sure that you keep your orphaned kittens warm and watch out for any signs of chilling, which can include the kittens being cold to touch. If you notice any signs of chilling, then you should try to warm the kittens up quickly.Make sure that you do not bottle feed any kittens who are cold. Try to rub them gently with your hands to aid their circulation and use your own body heat to warm them up. If you can, then you should create a nest out of a box, some blankets and a heat source.

Feeding Orphaned Kittens

If you do have an orphaned kitten on your hands, then you will have to feed the kitten using the methods that we have listed above. Make sure that you are using a specialised kitten milk replacer, kitten bottles and the right techniques when you are feeding and burping your kitten.Remember that dehydration is something that regularly kills newborn kittens. This means that you will have to know what warning signs to watch out for if you are feeding a kitten yourself. These can include things like general lethargy and limpness. If you suspect that a kitten is dehydrated, then you should consult a vet straight away.

Cleaning Orphaned Kittens

If you need to clean orphaned kittens, then you should use a dishcloth that is both warm and damp in order to do so. You should never submerge newborn kittens because of the risk of chilling. To dry kittens, you should use a hair dryer on low and a towel.You will also have to use either a warm dishcloth or a wet cotton ball to stimulate your kitten to go to the bathroom. Solid faeces will not form while your kitten is drinking formula and you should consult a vet immediately if you notice that your kitten is not urinating or defecating properly.

Handling Orphaned Kittens

Last but not least, try to make sure that you only handle your orphaned kitten for feeding and defecation purposes. Your kitten will need to sleep 90% of the time and you should start handling your kitten properly when it begins to explore its surroundings.

Take Care Of An Orphaned Kitten
Feeding	Make sure that you have a specialised kitten milk replacer and a set of kitten bottles.
Cleaning	Make sure that all of the kittens that you have to feed are laying on their stomachs.
Warmth	Tilt the bottle while the kittens feed.
Handling	While the kittens are on their stomachs, gently pat their backs until they burp.

2. One Week Old Kittens

• A. How Much Should A Kitten That Is One-Week Old Weigh?
• B. Behaviour, Attention, Activity And Care
• C. What Should You Feed A Kitten That Is One Week Old?
• D. How Do You Feed A Kitten That Is One Week Old?
• E. How Much Should You Feed A Kitten That Is One Week Old And How Often?

a. How much should a kitten that is one-week old weigh?

Approximate Weight

Most one week old kittens weigh somewhere in the region of 200 – 250g.

If you have had your kitten since it was a newborn, then you should have already noticed a drastic difference. Your kitten should have quite literally doubled in size over the past week. Remember that the exact weight can vary depending on what breed your kitten is. If your kitten does not seem to be gaining any weight, then you should definitely consult a veterinarian for advice. There probably won’t be anything serious wrong, but we believe that you should always rule out the possibilities.

b. Behaviour, Attention, Activity and Care

Physical Changes

Your kitten’s tiny eyes should have been closed for the past week, but they should now be starting to open up slowly. This does not mean that your kitten can see properly. When your kitten’s eyes first open, their vision will be blurry and they will not be able to focus on things the way that older cats and kittens can. Just as your kitten’s eyes are starting to open, his or her ears may also begin to unfold. This usually happens when kittens are either one week old or two weeks old, so try not to worry too much if this does not happen yet. Both of these things can begin to make your kittens much more aware of their surroundings, but they will still sleep most of the time.

What are one week old kittens like?

If you have a full litter of kittens, then you will probably notice them interacting more and more with each other. They will begin to huddle together in their nest. This is probably for warmth and comfort, but they will still also stay close to their mother. It is worth noting that orphaned kittens will still require round the clock care at this point.

Caring for One Week Old Kittens

Your kittens will still not be able to control their own body temperatures at this point. This can be life threatening if they get too cold. Make sure that you hold off on bottle feeding newborn kittens that are cold and make sure that you follow the steps that can be found in our caring for orphaned kittens section above. We would advise that you think about introducing a hot water bottle to the nest. Just make sure that it is covered up with something like a blanket. You should also make sure that you leave a free space where your kittens can move away from the heat source if they need to.

Handling One Week Old Kittens

You will have to make sure that you start handling your kittens every once and a while at this point to encourage social development. By building on positive interactions with your kitten, you will encourage more positive interactions as your kitten ages. Remember that your kitten will not be able to play yet.

Behaviour, Attention, Activity And Care One Week Old Kittens
Physical Features	Eyes and ears might be starting to open. Eyes should be a blue colour.
Behaviour	Kittens in a litter will start to huddle together more and move around.
Attention	You should start handling one week old kittens every now and again.
Care	Make sure that you offer kittens a heat source.

c. What should you feed a kitten that is one week old?

Best food: Directly from the mother cat or a specialised kitten milk replacer.

If you do have to feed an orphaned kitten by yourself, then you should still be using a proper kitten formula at this point. Remember to make sure that you do not use a cat milk that has been designed for adult cats or milk that comes from other animals.If your kitten does end up with diarrhoea, then you should consult a veterinarian straight away.

Best food:	Direct from the mother cat.
Alternative Option:	A specialised cat formula with kitten bottles.

d. How do you feed a kitten that is one week old?

You can feed a kitten that is only one week old in the same way that you would feed a newborn kitten. Make sure that the kitten is on its stomach before you start and make sure that you tilt the bottle while the kitten is feeding. If you are using a bottle that has been specifically designed with kittens in mind, then your kitten will be able to feed properly. Once your kitten has finished feeding, you should aim to burp him or her straight away. You can do this by gently patting your kitten’s back while it is still in the feeding position.

How do you feed a kitten that is one week old?
Step One:	Make sure that you have a specialised kitten milk replacer and a set of kitten bottles.
Step Two:	Make sure that all of the kittens that you have to feed are laying on their stomachs.
Step Three:	Tilt the bottle while the kittens feed.
Step Four:	While the kittens are on their stomachs, gently pat their backs until they burp.

e. How much should you feed a kitten that is one week old and how often?

Once your kitten is ten days old, you can start to feed it every three to four hours. We would advise that you start with every three hours and see how your kitten responds before slowly moving towards every four hours over the next week.

Before 10 Days Old:	Kittens should be fed every two hours.
After 10 Days Old:	Kittens should be fed every three to four hours.

3. Three Week Old Kittens

A.How Much Should A Kitten That Is Three Weeks Old Weigh?

B. Behaviour, Attention, Activity And Care

C. What Should You Feed A Kitten That Is Three Weeks Old?

D.How Do You Feed A Kitten That Is Three Weeks Old?

E. How Much Should You Feed A Kitten That Is Three Weeks Old And How Often?

F.What Can Kittens Do At Three Weeks Old?

a.How much should a kitten that is three weeks old weigh?

Approximate Weight

A three-week old kitten should weigh approximately 380g.

As your kitten continues to grow, he or she will get much bigger over the coming weeks. At just two weeks old, your kitten should weigh approximately 300g. At three weeks old, your kitten should weigh approximately 380g. Remember that this can vary drastically depending on what breed your kitten is.

b. Behaviour, Attention, Activity and Care

Physical Changes

Have you noticed that your kitten’s eyes are starting to change colour? If you have, then you don’t need to worry. This is a perfectly normal part of kitten development. If you have a three-week old kitten whose eyes are not open yet, then you should probably take your kitten to see the veterinarian for a check-up. The cute folded ears that your kitten had as a newborn will have started to unfold during week two and you should have noticed your kitten starting to knead things. Remember that your kitten will be unable to retract his or her own claws for a few more weeks. By the time your kitten reaches three weeks old, he or she will have fully upright ears!

What are three week old kittens like?

Before we jump the gun, we should take a look at what happens when kittens are just two weeks old. They will start to become much more aware of their surroundings and they will start to interact with them. They will also still spend most of their time snoozing, but this won’t stop them from taking their first wobbly steps. When your kitten is three weeks old, it will want to start to play more and socialise through the use of toys and games. Our favourite thing about this age is the fact that you can determine what gender your kitten is. This opportunity can really help you to start thinking of adorable cat names.

Caring For Three Week Old Kittens

Remember that kittens that are just three weeks old will still not be able to control their own body temperature. But, they will start to eliminate waste on their own and some will start to look for a litter box. If your kittens are doing this, then you should offer them a small litter pan full of non-clumping litter. They should start to use this out of instinct.

Caring For Three Week Old Kittens
Physical Features	Eyes should be either open or starting to open, ears should be stood up by three weeks. You will be able to tell what gender your kitten is at this point.
Behaviour	Kittens should still sleep a lot, but they will start to take their first wobbly steps.
Attention	You should aim to handle your kittens at least a few times a day when they are three weeks old to get them used to being handled.
Activity	Kittens should start to pay attention to toys and games at this point.
Care	You will still need to offer your kittens a heat source.

c. What should you feed a kitten that is three weeks old?

Best Food: Direct from the mother cat and formula mixed with wet food.Alternative Food: A specialised kitten formula mixed with some wet food.

When your kitten is only two weeks old, you should still be feeding it a specialised kitten formula. Remember that you cannot feed a young kitten milk that has been manufactured for adult cats or milk from other animals. Once your kitten has reached three weeks old, you can start to change things up a little bit. You can do this by introducing wet food and mixing it in with kitten formula. You should mix wet food with kitten formula even if you have not had to hand feed your kitten.Try to make sure that you look for the best kitten food that you can at this point, because some food will cause problems with your kitten’s digestion.

d.How do you feed a kitten that is three weeks old?

Remember that you should start introducing wet food to your kitten formula when your kitten is three weeks old. You can do this in one of two different ways:

1. You can mix kitten formula and wet food together in a little dish. If you are doing this, then you should show your kittens where it is and leave them to their own devices.
2. You can put the mixture of kitten formula and wet food into a specialised kitten bottle. If you are doing this, then you should feed and burp your kitten in the same way that you would feed and burp a newborn kitten.

e. How much should you feed a kitten that is three weeks old and how often?

From eighteen days old, your kitten should be fed every five to six hours.

When your kitten reaches approximately eighteen days old, you can start to feed it every five to six hours. Make sure that you start with five hourly intervals and work your way up to six hourly intervals.

f.What can kittens do at three weeks old?

Having Fun

Kittens are much more responsive by the time that they reach three weeks of age. You will have to be quite careful about what you do around them. As their sense of hearing starts to improve, noises that are either loud or abrupt could scare them. They can also begin to pass waste on their own at this point. Try to remember that your kittens will still be quite wobbly at just three weeks old, but they will start to play more and will become much more mobile over the next week. Your kittens will still not be able to retract their claws so you should be quite careful while playing.

Your Responsibilities

Remember that you should already be handling your kittens on a daily basis by the time that they reach three weeks old, because this can help to encourage social development. As your kittens age, you should increase the amount of time that you spend interacting with them. You should aim to start socialising your kitten as quickly as possible at this point because your kitten will be showing interest in things and interacting with other kittens, people and toys. Try to get your kitten to take wet food from you as this will build trust between the two of you. Make sure that you pet your kitten while he or she is eating. Try to reward your kitten with food and do not let your kitten bite or scratch you, as this will encourage bad habits.

4. Four Week Old Kittens (A Month Old Already)

• A. How Much Should A Kitten That Is Four Weeks Old Weigh?
• B. Behaviour, Attention, Activity And Care
• C. What Should You Feed A Kitten That Is Four Weeks Old?
• D.How Do You Feed A Kitten That Is Four Weeks Old And How Often?
• E. What Can Kittens Do At Four Weeks Old?

a. How much should a kitten that is four weeks old weigh?

Your kitten should weigh approximately 450g.

Remember, the exact amount that your kitten weighs can vary dramatically depending on what breed your kitten is. At just four weeks old, your kitten should weigh approximately 450g, which is much heavier than a newborn kitten would have been. If your kitten does not seem to be putting on enough weight, then you should seek professional advice.

b. Behaviour, Attention, Activity and Care

What are four week old kittens like?

By this point, your kitten should really be working on his or her fine motor skills and balance. It will start to walk around a lot more and explore, but you should note that the size of your kitten’s head will be relatively large when compared to its body, and this can make small kittens very unbalanced and wobbly.It is worth noting that your kitten will probably stay close to its mother cat at this point, but some inquisitive kittens might start to venture off and hold their tails up the way that adult cats do.

Caring for Month Old Kittens

It is your responsibility to make sure that anything that could potentially harm your kittens is out of the way by this point. This includes toxic chemicals, plants, food and holes that your kitten could get stuck down. Socialisation is incredibly important at this point and you need to make sure that you spend a lot of time bonding with your kitten. Your kitten will begin to play properly and it will still be nursing occasionally for a few more weeks.

Your kitten is also no longer considered to be neonatal at this point, meaning that the hardest part of your journey is over.

Your cat will start to wean your kitten and your kitten should get much better at using a litter box, as long as you have already introduced it. If you are struggling to get your kitten to use the litter box, then you could use a cotton ball to get your kitten to go to the toilet and put that cotton ball into the litter box.

Behaviour, Attention, Activity And Care One Month Kittens
Behaviour	Kittens will begin to explore more and play with toys more.
Attention	You should handle your kittens regularly.
Care	Make sure that anything that is potentially harmful is out of the way by this point.
Behaviour	Kittens will spend their time working on their fine motor skills and balance, but they might still be quite wobbly.

c. What should you feed a kitten that is four weeks old?

Best Food: Kitten formula mixed with wet food and occasional feeds from the mother cat.Alternative Option: Kitten formula mixed with wet food.

By the time your kittens reach four weeks old, their canines and incisors will start to come through and the weaning process will begin properly. You should keep mixing your kitten formula and wet food together, but you should gradually use less and less formula and more wet food. Once your kitten is eating wet food without any formula, you should start mixing wet food with just a little bit of dry food. It is worth noting that your kitten will also need water to drink at this point. We believe that you should use a cat water fountain to encourage drinking as they are more attractive for cats.

d.How do you feed a kitten that is four weeks old and how often?

Four week old kittens should be fed at least three times a day.

You should try to avoid using the bottle when your kitten has reached this point, as your kitten should really be eating by itself from a dish. If it is not, then you should use the bottle as a last resort. Just make sure that you follow the usual feeding procedure. You should aim to feed your kitten at least three times a day when it reaches four weeks old. This is a large step away from the two hourly feeds that newborn kittens need, but it has only been four weeks.

e. What can kittens do at four weeks old?

Having Fun

At four weeks old, you should notice your kitten starting to learn more, as it hones in on those vital balancing skills. Your kitten’s personality will also become more evident. You might find yourself with an explorer that has an inquisitive mind on your hands, or a hunter who likes nothing more than attacking your feet when you least expect it.

Your Responsibilities

Your kitten will still be nursing occasionally, but it will also be slowly transitioning to eat only food. If you haven’t already introduced the litter box, then you should hurry up and do that. You should also start to play more with toys and your kitten. Try to aim for at least two hours of playtime a day. It is worth noting that kittens can regulate their own body temperature when they are four weeks old, but you should still provide a source of heat that they can access. That way, they can go back to the heat source whenever they want to and they know exactly where it is while they are roaming around.

5. Six Week Old Kittens

• A. How Much Should A Kitten That Is Six Weeks Old Weigh?
• B. Behaviour, Attention, Activity And Care
• C. What Should You Feed A Kitten That Is Six Weeks Old?
• D. How Do You Feed A Kitten That Is Six Weeks Old?
• E. What Can Kittens Do At Six Weeks Old?

a. How much should a kitten that is six weeks old weigh?

At six-week old, your kitten should weigh approximately 600 – 650g.

It is really important that you remember to keep track of your kitten’s weight each week to make sure that your kitten is developing properly, regardless of whether or not a mother cat is present. Remember that a lack of growth could indicate serious problems that may need to be monitored.

b. Behaviour, Attention, Activity and Care

What are six week old kittens like?

You will quickly notice a little bit of a difference between kittens that are five weeks old and kittens that are six weeks old. At five weeks old, your kittens will start to become playful balls of fun. Kittens have amazing eyesight when they reach this age and interacting with people is something that most will love to do, you simply have to make sure that you play with your kitten.It is worth noting that your kitten might still have blue eyes at this point. Remember that these can change at any time. Your kitten’s ears will be fully upright and you might begin to notice a number of different, distinct personalities if you do have a full litter of kittens. Your kittens will also now have retractable claws that they can control at will. As your kitten reaches six weeks of age, he or she will start displaying a much better sense of self and balance. It will probably display everything from stalking and pouncing to digging, natural traits that you should never chastise your kittens for.

Caring for Six Week Old Kittens

Before we go any further, it is important that you know that if you would like to start a worming treatment, now is the time to do so. Most of the time, worming treatments at this age are simply a precautionary measure and nothing more, but most experts consider them to be rather important. The older your kittens start to get; the more important socialisation becomes. In an ideal world, your kitten will be confident around people and these stages are the stages where that confidence is found and built. Play with your kitten as much as possible. If you have a full litter, then you should spend 1:1 time with each of them. If you are going to let your kitten or litter roam the house, then now is the time to show them around and introduce them to everything in your home. Show them new things and let them learn where things are and what things do what.

New Behaviour

At just six weeks of age, your kittens will become quite self-sufficient.

A lot of people would say that your life will become much easier from now on. Your kittens will clean themselves and grooming will occur among the kittens in the litter. This is important because it builds on special sibling bonds. This is also an important time for you to be doing your own grooming with the kittens, while it comes so naturally to them, especially if you are raising an orphaned kitten or litter.

Behaviour, Attention, Activity And Care Six Week Old Kitten
Physical Features	Fully retractable claws, amazing eyesight.
Behaviour	Good balance, stalking, pouncing, digging – general cat traits.
Attention	Aim to give all of the kittens in a litter 1:1 attention.
Care	Kittens will become quite self-sufficient, but you should start to introduce grooming tools at this age too.

c. What should you feed a kitten that is six weeks old?

At this stage in your kitten’s development, it should really be eating wet food that has been mixed with dry kitten biscuits.

When your kitten is just five weeks old, you should start to offer it wet food that has been mixed with dry kitten biscuits. Remember to make sure that your kitten can access a water fountain at all times and try to make sure that a separate bowl of biscuits is also available. When your kitten turns six weeks old, you should start to slowly separate the wet food and the dry food into two different bowls. This is to make sure that your kitten doesn’t suffer from any digestive problems. Make sure that you feed your kitten two to three times a day.

Best Food	Wet kitten food that has been mixed with dry kitten biscuits.
How Frequently	Two to three times a day, but a bowl of biscuits should always be available.

d. How do you feed a kitten that is six weeks old?

We would advise that you mix half a tin of wet food per kitten in a dish with dry biscuits. Do this two to three times a day. If your kittens are struggling to gain weight, then you could also supplement this with a proper kitten formula. Try to bear in mind that your kitten will not be able to immediately transition to solid food. If you do go from feeding your kitten wet food to feeding it solid food without mixing the two, then this could cause digestive problems.

e. What can kittens do at six weeks old?

Kitten Fun

At six weeks old, your kittens should be constantly playing and moving around. Because their claws are now completely retractable, they will start scratching at different surfaces to sharpen them. Now would be the right time to introduce and implement a scratching post if you would like to have one in your home.

Your Responsibilities

Your kitten will not be able to regulate his or her temperature with ease, but you should still provide your kitten with a comfortable and suitable nesting place.

6. Eight Week Old Kittens (Two Months. Where is Time Going?)

• A. How Much Should A Kitten That Is Eight Weeks Old Weigh?
• B. Behaviour, Attention, Activity And Care
• C. What Should You Feed A Kitten That Is Eight Weeks Old?
• D. How Do You Feed A Kitten That Is Eight Weeks Old?
• E. What Can Kittens Do When They Are Eight Weeks Old?

a. How much should a kitten that is eight weeks old weigh?

An eight-week old kitten should weigh approximately 950g

Are you amazed by how much your kittens have grown over the past two months? Luckily, that growth rate is going to slow down from this point onwards. At around seven weeks of age, your kitten should weigh somewhere in the region of 800g.

b. Behaviour, Attention, Activity and Care

What are eight week old kittens like?

A lot of people find themselves wanting to know how old their cat is in human years. Most experts agree that the first two years of a cat’s life are equivalent to the first twenty-five years of a human’s life. Each year after this is thought to be four “cat years”. This figure should show you just how quickly your kitten is actually maturing at this point. Eight week old kittens are highly mobile. Their eye-paw coordination is excellent and they could at this point turn into little dangerous daredevils. Try to kittenproof everything in your home so that your kittens do not get hurt.

Caring for Eight Week Old Kittens

When your kitten reaches eight weeks of age, it is time for you to think about taking your kitten to see the local veterinarian for a check-up if you have not already done so. You have to consider what vaccinations kittens need at this age because kitten vaccinations are incredibly important, especially if you want your kitten to spend time outside.If you have not already introduced your kittens to grooming tools, then you should definitely do that. We would advise that you use a brush every now and again, give your kitten a careful and gently bath and start to handle your kitten’s paws as much as possible. This is a good thing to do because it will make claw clipping much easier in the future.

Medical Attention

Remember that eight weeks of age is also the milestone from which your kittens can be either spayed or neutered, depending on their gender. They will also begin to look more like adult cats than they previously have. Try to make sure that you think carefully about whether or not you will have your kittens spayed and neutered.

c. What should you feed a kitten that is eight weeks old?

Eight week old kittens should be eating a mixture of dry kitten biscuits and wet food.

If you do have an eight-week old kitten, then you should make sure that you are using the best food for an eight-week old kitten that you can. When your cat reaches this age, it will have all 26 baby teeth.By this point, your kitten should be eating a mixture of dry kitten biscuits and wet kitten food regularly. Make sure that you slowly start to separate the two into different bowls if you haven’t already done so.

d. How do you feed a kitten that is eight weeks old?

Feeding a kitten that has reached eight weeks of age is a ridiculously easy task. You simply have to make sure that you feed your kitten two to three times a day. Try to make sure that a bowl of dry food is available throughout the day in a separate bowl so that your kitten can eat whenever it wants to. Try to make sure that water is always available too. We would advise that you do this by purchasing a water fountain that has been designed with cats in mind. Cats don’t like drinking from water that has been left to stand and they find the running water in cat fountains more tempting than the alternative.

How Frequently: Two to three times a day, but make sure that a bowl of dry biscuits is always available.

e. What can kittens do when they are eight weeks old?

Kitten Fun

Your kittens will continue to be social with the other kittens from their litter, people in your home and their cat mother, although she may begin to ignore them. As their growth rate begins to slow down, they will develop more muscle and strength, enabling them to jump around from one position to another.

Your Responsibilities

If you have had your kitten since it was a newborn, then you should be able to spot dozens of differences between the way that your kitten was and the way that your kitten now is. Your kitten will have gone from being a little ball that barely wriggled to an active, playful character that never stops moving around.

7.Ten Week Old Kittens and Older Kittens and Juvenile Cats

• A.How Much Should A Kitten That Is Ten Weeks Old Weigh?
• B. Behaviour, Attention, Activity And Care
• C. What Should You Feed A Kitten That Is Ten Weeks Old?
• D. How Do You Feed A Kitten That Is Ten Weeks Old?
• E. What Can Kittens Do When They Are Ten Weeks Old?

a.How much should a kitten that is ten weeks old weigh?

Approximate Weight

By the time your kitten reaches ten weeks of age, it will weigh approximately 1200g.

By the time your kitten has reached ten weeks of age, it will look like an adult cat. If you have been tracking the weight changes week by week, then you will be able to spot any issues quickly and have them dealt with promptly.

b. Behaviour, Attention, Activity and Care

What are ten week old kittens like?

By this point, the weaning process between your kittens and their mother cat should have finished and your kittens should be eating food that you provide at regular intervals. Your kittens’ eyes should have changed from the blue colours that they were born with to new colours, their adult colours, that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. At ten weeks of age, your kitten might also start to react to catnip. Make sure that you use catnip properly if you do bring it into your home. You should also buy toys and tools that enable your cat to play and imitate instinctive hunting behaviours.

Caring for Ten Week Old Kittens

If you started administering a worming treatment when your kitten was six weeks old, then you will have to administer the second half of that now that your kitten is ten weeks old. This is just a preventative measure and you should do it regardless of whether or not your kitten has worms. Your own interactions with your kittens should be at their peak. You should spend a lot of time playing with them and enabling them to hone in on their important hunting skills. You should also start to trim their nails as soon as they become sharp enough to trim. This should be easy if you have remembered to handle their paws regularly.

As They Grow

As your kittens get older, you will also have to consider a few other things. For example, when your kitten is twelve weeks old it will have to go and have a rabies vaccination if you live in a country where one is a requirement. You should also ask your veterinarian about microchipping so that you know that your kitten is always safe.

Behaviour, Attention, Activity And Care Ten Week Old Kitten
Physical Features	Adult eye colours.
Behaviour	Starting to react to catnip, play with toys and imitate hunting behaviours. Might also want to relax and cuddle.
Care	The second dosage of a worming treatment should be administered.

c. What should you feed a kitten that is ten weeks old?

A ten-week old kitten should be eating solid food.

Your kitten should be on a diet that is made up of solid food by this point. This food should be offered at regular intervals. We would advise that you feed your cat two to three times a day. It is worth noting that your kitten will probably leave the food bowl alone to explore and have fun before coming back to it.

Best Food	Solid food.
How Frequently	Two to three times a day.

d. How do you feed a kitten that is ten weeks old?

Feeding a kitten that has reached ten weeks of age could not be easier. You simply have to put the food in bowls, make sure that your kitten has access to a source of water and you are ready to go. At ten weeks old, your kitten should be fed the same way that you would feed an adult cat.

e. What can kittens do when they are ten weeks old?

Kitten Fun

Your kitten should now start using body language and purring as a way of communicating with you. You should pay a lot of attention to this body language as your kitten will definitely remember how you react to different things and this could cause some problems further down the line.

Your Responsibilities

It is really hard to differentiate between a cat and a kitten that is ten weeks old. Your kitten should really have started to behave like a cat by this point. It is worth noting that this can vary a little bit in cats that were orphaned as young kittens, because they can display different types of behaviour.If you are rehoming a litter of kittens, then they should be ready to go off on their own adventure by now. All of your important socialisation techniques will be important at this point because kittens that are not well socialised will not do well in their new homes. By this point, you should feel amazing about everything that you have achieved. You have raised your kittens well and they are now ready to go out and explore the world.

Frequently Asked Questions – Kitten Development

1. When can kittens eat dry food?

Kittens can start to eat dry food when they are just four weeks old. This should be mixed in with their wet food and then the dry food and the wet food should (slowly) be separated.

2. When can kittens eat wet food?

Kittens can start to eat wet food when they are just three weeks old. This should be mixed in with a specialised kitten formula. You should start off with a ratio that is more formula than food, then slowly start taking away some of the formula and adding more wet food.

3. When can kittens eat solid food?

By the time your kitten reaches ten weeks old, it should be eating solid food. You can slowly wean your kitten off of the mixture of wet food and dry food by eventually separating the two of them into two separate bowls.

4. When can kittens start to eat soft food?

Your kitten will be able to eat soft food from around six weeks of age. Avoid feeding your kittens any foods that have not been manufactured for kittens.

5. When will kittens start to use a litter box? Is there anything that I can do to encourage this behaviour?

Your kitten should be able to use a litter box from just a few weeks of age. We would recommend that you introduce a litter box as quickly as possible. If you are struggling to get your kitten to use the litter box, then you can try to make your kitten go to the toilet with a cotton ball and then place that cotton ball in the litter box so that the kitten associates it with going to the toilet.

6. Why will kittens drink more out of a cat fountain?

Kittens like to drink out of cat fountains for the same reason that adult cats do. Cats do not like to drink out of still water sources and they like to drink from running sources, which is why cat fountains are so tempting.

7. When will my kitten be able to go outside?

Your kitten should be able to go outside after it has had all of its vaccinations. You should also make sure that your kitten has been spade or neutered before it goes outside.

8. When will my kitten need to have vaccinations?

When your kitten will have to have vaccinations depends on where you live. We would advise that you contact a veterinarian either while your cat is pregnant or before you get a kitten so that you know what you should do.

9. Can young kittens get pregnant?

Young kittens certainly can get pregnant. Kittens can get pregnant from approximately four months of age. It is really important that you get female kittens spayed as early as possible to avoid this scenario.

Who Wouldn’t Want A Kitten?

We understand that all of this might sound like a lot of work, but in reality it is more than worth it. You get the opportunity to see how kittens develop and how they change quickly as time passes. How could anyone resist these adorable faces:

Conclusion

As you can see, raising a kitten properly takes a lot of hard work and dedication because they require a lot of attention. We would advise that you keep a diary and write in it when you should be changing from one food type to another, when you should start worming treatments and all of the other important details that you can think of. We would also advise that you track how much your kittens weigh and note it down on a weekly basis. Raising a kitten is a little bit like raising a baby. Challenging, difficult at times, time consuming, but more than worth it. You get to see an animal double in size on a weekly basis, going from a kitten with little ears that are folded over to a kitten that behaves like an adult cat.

Linda Butts

Hey I’m Linda Butts, the girl behind HappyPetsNow.

With my happypetsnow.com I hope to share the ideas and techniques from my personal experiences of what I have done with my pet research and what I love about pets and their lives.

My expectation is to help you feel ease if you start to make a friendship with your pet while you enjoy your journey.Don’t be shy to ask me when you need to help or out of the idea. Let’s ask and share what you’ve got.