Kitten Stages of Growth

Caring for a newborn kitten can be stressful, especially when you are concerned about their growth and development. The good news is here we will be explaining all the growth and developmental milestones for kittens from birth to 1 year old.

Kittens grow and develop the most rapidly from birth to 8 weeks of age. During this time they are just opening their eyes and learning to walk for the first time. From there, kittens are still growing and maturing. They do this until they are about one year old, which is when cats are officially considered to be adults.

In this article, we will be explaining everything that new kitten owners need to know about the stages of growth and development in kittens.

Stage 1: Newborn

Kittens are considered newborns from the moment they are born to around one week of age. Newborn kittens will still have their eyes and ears closed, and they will be almost completely reliant on their mothers.

What Should You See in a Kitten’s Behavior at This Stage?

Newborn kittens will spend most of their time sleeping. They cannot yet see or hear, and they cannot really move either. They are completely reliant on their mothers for food, comfort, and safety.

How Big Should Kittens be at This Stage?

Newborn kittens are tiny, and they typically only weigh between 1.8 and 5.3 ounces. Newborn kittens typically fit in the palm of your hand.

Stage 2: 1-3 Week Old

Kittens are growing and developing rapidly between 1 and 3 weeks of age. They are starting to develop hearing and sight. Kittens at this stage are also learning to walk.

What Should You See in a Kitten’s Behavior at This Stage?

A kitten’s eyes and ears will open at the end of week one to the beginning of week two. Their sight and hearing will slowly improve over time. Additionally, the kitten’s coordination should steadily improve over this stage. At week one kittens should be able to hold their heads up and wiggle around. Then, at week two they should start trying to walk, though this walking will likely be wobbly and occur in short intervals. Their walking should steadily improve into week three.

How Big Should Kittens be at This Stage?

Kittens should be growing steadily during this stage. Here are the weight parameters that kittens should be meeting between weeks one and three.

• Week one: 5.3 to 8.8 ounces
• Week two: 8.8 to 12.3 ounces
• Week three: 12.3 to 15.9 ounces

Stage 3: 3-5 Weeks Old

At this stage, kittens will begin playing and exploring their environments. They will become more independent from their mother and be more responsive to people.

What Should You See in a Kitten’s Behavior at This Stage?

Kittens should be steadily getting more and more coordinated during this stage. They should be walking reasonably well and starting to play by week four. They should also be doing things like running by week five. Kittens should start using the litterbox at this stage, and they should also start attempting to groom themselves. Though, they may not be very good at it yet. Kittens can be introduced to food at week 5, but they may continue to nurse here and there for a few weeks afterward.

How Big Should Kittens be at This Stage?

Kittens should continue to grow steadily at this stage. Here are the weight parameters that kittens should be meeting between weeks four and five.

• Week four: 15.9 ounces to 1.2 pounds
• Week five: 1.2 to 1.4 pounds

Stage 4: 6-8 Weeks Old

Kittens are all about playtime at this stage. They will likely love playing with their littermates and humans alike. They will also be perfecting their coordination skills.

What Should You See in a Kitten’s Behavior at This Stage?

At six weeks old, kittens should be able to jump off short furniture and land on their feet. As they enter week seven they should also start doing things like jumping up and climbing on things, By the time they reach week eight kittens should be able to confidently run, jump, and climb.

How Big Should Kittens be at This Stage?

Here are the weight parameters that kittens should be meeting between weeks six and eight.

• Week six: 1.4 to 1.7 pounds
• Week seven: 1.7 to 1.9 pounds
• Week eight: 1.9 to 2.1 pounds

Stage 5: 9-12 Weeks Old

During this stage, kittens will still be very playful, and this stage is all about learning what it means to be a cat. They will still continue to grow and develop mentally, but they will act and behave more like the average cat. Many kittens will be adopted at this age.

What Should You See in a Kitten’s Behavior at This Stage?

Kittens at this stage should be eating kitten food full-time. They will also be getting better at grooming themselves, and they should be reliably using the litterbox. Kittens at this stage will still typically be very energetic and playful.

How Big Should Kittens be at This Stage?

Kittens should be around 3 pounds between 9 and 12 weeks of age.

Stage 6: 3-6 Months Old

Between 3 and 6 months old is pretty much the last bit of their kittenhood. During this stage, kittens will still be curious and playful. They will love playtime and exploring their environments. However, they will start to behave more like young adult cats as they age.

What Should You See in a Kitten’s Behavior at This Stage?

Kittens at this stage should continue to play and explore their environments. It is also a good idea to continue socializing your kitten with new people, animals, and environments during this life stage.

Stage 7: 6 Months to One Year Old

Between the ages of six months and one year old your cat should be acting more like an adult cat. Though they will still likely be playful and energetic, they will not have the same bursts of energy as they did when they were younger.

What Should You See in a Kitten’s Behavior at This Stage?

Kittens should be behaving more like the average cat, and they are officially considered to be an adult at around one year old. As a result, they should pretty much be emotionally and physically mature at some point during this stage. Also, kittens can be spayed during this stage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the different growth stages of a kitten is essential for every cat owner. From the newborn stage to the adolescent phase, each stage comes with its own unique set of challenges and opportunities. By knowing what to expect, you can be better prepared to provide the best care and support for your furry friend. Remember to provide a safe and comfortable environment, a healthy diet, regular vet check-ups, and lots of love and attention. With the right care and guidance, your kitten can grow up to be a healthy and happy adult cat.

If you have a new kitten on your hands, Brown Veterinary Hospital in Terre Haute, IN is here to help! Reach out at 812-645-0715 or make an appointment today.