ALLEY CAT RESCUE
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      • What to do if you find kittens
      • Stages of Kitten Development
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    • How Rescuers Can Effectively Adopt Out Cats >
      • Adopting Adult Feral Cats
    • Winter Tips for Protecting Cats
    • Summer Tips for Cats
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Cats and Predation
      • Where have all the birds gone?
      • Debunking the Myths and Misinformation: Cat Predation
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook Download
  • Cat Health
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vaccines
      • Wellness Vet Checkups
      • Microchiping
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      • Effects of aging
      • Hospice Care and Euthanasia Decisions
      • Financial Assistance
      • Cat Supplies
      • How to Prepare for an Emergency
      • Pet Food Banks
    • FIP, FeLV, FIV >
      • Testing for FeLV/FIV
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • Fleas
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Rabies
      • Toxoplasmosis
      • Ringworm - Symptoms and Treatment
      • Ringworm Myths Debunked
      • Obesity in Cats
      • Diabetes
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Hazardous Poisons
    • Poisonous Plants
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
    • COVID-19 Pet Food Banks
    • Cats and COVID-19
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering your cat
    • Common Cat Behavior Issues >
      • Scratching and Destructive Behavior
      • Aggressive Cats >
        • Cat on Cat Aggression
      • Litter Box Problems
      • Meowing and Yowling
      • Urine Marking
      • Behavior Issues in Elderly Cats
    • Introducing Cats
    • Cat Enrichment
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Cat Supply Resources
    • Lost Cat
  • African Wildcats
    • AWC Conservation Projects
    • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
    • Differences between AWCs and domestic cats
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Stages of Kitten Development

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​Can you tell what age a kitten is by looking at him/her? Read about the stages of kitten development and learn how to! And remember, if you find a litter of kittens, after making, positively sure, mom isn't caring for them, always take kittens to a veterinarian ASAP for an examination.

Newborn: When a kitten is first born she is completely dependent on mama cat or her caregiver. The kitten’s eyes are shut and her ears are folded over. She cannot even regulate her own internal temperature and needs help staying warm. The kitten will weigh just mere ounces. Either mom or her caregiver will need to “stimulate” her bottom to get her to relieve herself.


One week old: The kitten will begin to start wiggling around on her own. Her eyes may start to open, although most kittens begin to open their eyes at 9-14 days old. The kittens are all born with blue eyes but their eye color will change to its natural color in the coming weeks. She should be double her weight now.


Two weeks old: The kitten’s eyes should be open by now. Her ears are unfolding and she is gaining her sense of smell. The kitten will begin trying out cat behaviors such as hissing and kneading. Her teeth will begin to grow at this age so don't be alarmed if she nibbles at you or other things.
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Three weeks old: The kitten will start walking around on her own. She will probably be a little wobbly and uncoordinated at this stage. Her eyes may start changing color. The kitten will also be able to use the bathroom on her own and does not need to have her bottom stimulated. You can begin litter box training the kitten at this stage.


Four weeks old: The kitten will start to get the hang of walking and walk more confidently. She will start to form bonds with her siblings and will wrestle with them, building those motor skills. Don't worry, they are just learning how to hunt and play! The kitten will still be nursing from mama cat at this age.
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Six weeks old: Mama cat will start weaning the kitten away from her and the kitten can start eating wet food. She should weigh around one pound at this point. The kitten will still nurse from her mother to satisfy her need to suckle. The kitten is growing more independent and will want to socialize with you. She will be running and jumping around, learning how to play.
​

Eight weeks old: The kitten can usually get spayed or neutered at this point. Veterinarians recommend sterilizing kittens at 2 pounds, which they usually weigh around this age. The kitten is also ready for adoption once she is sterilized! She will be fully weaned from her mom. If she has been socialized, she will be friendly with people.


Three months old: The kitten’s growth rate has slowed down considerably. She will continue to grow in muscle and size but at a slower rate. She is becoming an adult cat now and you may notice she is losing her baby teeth.

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Four months old: The kitten is getting even more brave and adventurous at this age. Don’t be surprised if she is scratching your furniture; she is learning how to play and use her claws. If your kitten is not sterilized, you still begin to see hormonal changes.
​

Six months old: At this age, the kitten and caregiver will really begin to cement a bond now. She will look like a smaller adult cat at this stage. She should lose her kitten pudginess and start to look more lean. You should take the kitten to the veterinarian so her teeth can be examined. All of her baby teeth should be out at this point.
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  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission
      • Our Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Financial Information
      • Email Sign-up
    • ACR in the Press
    • ACR Publications >
      • Newsletters
      • Blog
      • Press Releases
      • National Surveys
    • Adoptions >
      • Cats available for adoption
      • New Cat Checklist
      • Introducing A New Cat
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us
    • Partners
  • Action Alerts
    • Spay Neuter Pledge
    • No Declaw Pledge
    • Campaigns >
      • The Feral Fix
      • Working Cats Program >
        • Shelters with Working Cat Programs
      • End Deadly Eradication Methods
      • "Fix the Family"
  • Spay/Neuter
    • Early Age Spay/Neuter
    • Misconceptions About Spay/Neuter
    • State Low Cost Spay/Neuter
  • How to Help Community Cats
    • Find a Stray Cat?
    • What is a Feral Cat? >
      • Feral vs. Stray Cats
      • Benefits of Feral Cats
    • TNR-- What does this mean? >
      • TNR Statistics
      • TNR Step-by-Step
      • Targeted Trapping
      • TNR Tips
      • Hard to Catch Cats
      • TNR Equipment Loan Resources
      • TNR/Community Cat Care Financial Resources
      • Where to Buy TNR Equipment
      • Helping Shelters Implement TNR Programs
      • Common Complaints
    • Providing Shelter
    • CAT Action Teams: TNR Groups by State
    • Health Care
    • Cat Overpopulation
    • Relocation
    • Feral Kittens >
      • What to do if you find kittens
      • Stages of Kitten Development
      • Orphaned Kittens
      • Socializing Feral Kittens
      • Fostering Kittens
    • How Rescuers Can Effectively Adopt Out Cats >
      • Adopting Adult Feral Cats
    • Winter Tips for Protecting Cats
    • Summer Tips for Cats
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Cats and Predation
      • Where have all the birds gone?
      • Debunking the Myths and Misinformation: Cat Predation
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook Download
  • Cat Health
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vaccines
      • Wellness Vet Checkups
      • Microchiping
      • Nail Trimmings
      • Effects of aging
      • Hospice Care and Euthanasia Decisions
      • Financial Assistance
      • Cat Supplies
      • How to Prepare for an Emergency
      • Pet Food Banks
    • FIP, FeLV, FIV >
      • Testing for FeLV/FIV
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • Fleas
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Rabies
      • Toxoplasmosis
      • Ringworm - Symptoms and Treatment
      • Ringworm Myths Debunked
      • Obesity in Cats
      • Diabetes
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Hazardous Poisons
    • Poisonous Plants
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
    • COVID-19 Pet Food Banks
    • Cats and COVID-19
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering your cat
    • Common Cat Behavior Issues >
      • Scratching and Destructive Behavior
      • Aggressive Cats >
        • Cat on Cat Aggression
      • Litter Box Problems
      • Meowing and Yowling
      • Urine Marking
      • Behavior Issues in Elderly Cats
    • Introducing Cats
    • Cat Enrichment
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Cat Supply Resources
    • Lost Cat
  • African Wildcats
    • AWC Conservation Projects
    • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
    • Differences between AWCs and domestic cats
  • Donate
  • Store