• Average 2-4 oz. or 50-150 grams. They could be slightly premature and may need additional assistance like supplementation.

• Extra care should be taken if the kittens are only 50 grams and do not have fur completely covering the ears or legs. 

• Normal temperature of 95-97 degrees, which will go up to 100 degrees over the course of the first week. During this time it is critical to provide a gentle heat source to keep the kitten warm and stable, like a heating pad or snuggle-safe disk. The kitten's environment should be between 85 and 90 degrees at this time.

• At 0-1 days, the umbilical cord will be attached and wet. At 1-5 days, the umbilical cord will be attached and dry. Around 4-5 days of age, the kitten will naturally lose the umbilical cord.

• Never attempt to remove it manually; allow it to fall off on its own. The umbilical area should not be red or swollen. Kittens will sleep 90% of the time and eat the rest of the time. Handle the kittens minimally, just for feeding and cleaning. Kittens cannot defecate or urinate on their own and must be stimulated, either by their mother or their foster caregiver.

• Some Physical Features: 

  • Weight: Average 2-4 oz. or 50-150 grams

  • Eyes: closed 

  • Ears: folded

  • Umbilical cord: attached.

  • Nose and paws: may appear pink in color. 

• Heat Source: Required

• Food Source: Bottle Fed

  • See this Feeding Chart!

• Stimulation: Required

• Supplies

Kittens with Mother: 

•  Make sure that all kittens are nursing. Newborns will suckle almost constantly on their mother, alternating between small meals and naps. A lot of crying or activity could indicate a problem with Mom’s milk supply. If you have to supervise feeding sessions should be at least 45 minutes every 3 hours. 

Orphaned Kittens: 

• Orphaned neonates should be fed 2-6 mL of formula every two hours, including overnight. Amount of formula per feeding should be calculated using the individual kittens body weight (grams). Newborns do not have a gag reflex. For this reason, it is essential to feed very slowly and with extreme caution. 

• Orphans often do not have the strength to suckle off a bottle. Instead, attach a miracle nipple to the end of a 1mL syringe. Once they consistently suck that down without assistance you can move to a larger syringe. It can be dangerous to give a neonate kitten a whole bottle as the large volume and fast flow is too much for their stomach which significantly increases the risk of aspiration.

• The need to be stimulated at this age! After and before feedings. 

• By one week of age, the kitten should have doubled the birth weight. Kittens will weigh about 4-9 oz. or 150-250 grams. One-week-old kittens will have closed eyes, but no umbilical cord. Around 7 days, the ear canals will slowly begin to open.

• Around 8-12 days, the eyes will slowly begin to open. Never attempt to pry open a kitten's eyes; let them open naturally. All kittens will be born with baby blue eyes, which will change to their adult eye color as they age. 

• Young kittens are vulnerable to eye infections as their eyes first open, so watch for any signs of infection such as crustiness or white/yellow secretions.

• Healthy kittens will be round and warm, have pink skin, and seldom cry. 

• Kittens cannot defecate or urinate on their own and must be stimulated. They are still unable to maintain their body temperature. Keep kittens warm with a provided heating source.

• Some Physical Features: 

  • Weight:  4-9 oz. or 150-250 grams. 

  • Eyes: closed - May start to open

  • Ears: start to unfold 

  • Umbilical cord: no longer attatched

• Heat Source: Required

• Food Source: Bottle Fed

  • See this Feeding Chart!

• Stimulation: Required

• Supplies

• At two weeks of age, kittens' eyes will be fully open and baby blue. Their vision will still be developing. The ear canals will be open, and the ears will be small and rounded, like a baby bear cub. Kittens will become more aware of their littermates at this stage and their sense of smell will continue to develop. They should respond to movement and sound, holding their head up to look at you.

• Healthy kittens will begin to crawl and stand between 18-21 days old. Two-week-old kittens will be wobbly on their feet and attempting to develop coordination and movement. 

• At two weeks, it is safe to begin deworming the kitten so they will get their first exam at LHS. They begin to play with each other. Increase handling of kittens to get them used to human contact. Ensure that all interactions are gentle and positive.

• Some Physical Features: 

  • Weight: 10 oz. or 250-350 grams.

  • Eyes: opening - blue in color

  • Movement: Crawling and standing up - wobbly

• Heat Source: Required

• Food Source: Bottle Fed

  • Watch out for "Sibling Suckling" 

  • See this Feeding Chart!

• Stimulation: Required

• Supplies

• Kittens will weigh about 13 oz. or 350-450 grams. Three-week-old kittens will have ears that point upwards, like a miniature cat. A kitten's first teeth will begin to emerge. The tiny teeth at the front of the mouth, called the incisors, will start to come through the gums. Incisors are not made for eating but instead are formed like a little comb to be used for grooming. They may start cleaning themselves but will still need help for serious cleaning (see baths).

• At about 3 1⁄2 weeks, a kitten’s teeth will begin to break through the skin. Around this time, kittens may begin to bite the nipple, may seem hungry yet not want to suckle, and will have a greatly increased appetite. This usually means they are ready to be weaned and begin eating on their own.

• At this age, kittens will be walking, exploring their surroundings, and even beginning to explore the litter box. Three-week-old kittens still require a heat source, but they will be more active and may stray from it when not sleeping. The kitten's environment should be around 75 degrees at this time.

• The muscle control needed to defecate or urinate on their own is still developing, they may still need to be stimulated before meals. Watch for the development milestone when they move away from their sleeping area to defecate, this is the best time to start introducing a small litter box.

• Some Physical Features: 

  • Weight: 13 oz. or 350-450 grams.

  • Eyes: Blue

  • Teeth: Forming

• Heat Source: Required

• Food Source: Bottle Fed  - "Slurry Mixture" introduced

  • May need baths due to food on their face

  • Watch out for "Sibling Suckling" 

  • See this Feeding Chart!

• Stimulation: May Need - Litter Box Introduction

• Supplies

• By 4 weeks or 1 month-old kitten should weigh approximately 1 b. or between 450-550 grams. Reaching 1lb. In weight is a big milestone as they can receive their first round of vaccinations and start developing immunity.

• Four-week-old kittens will be confidently exploring and developing more coordination that allows them to walk, run, and even begin to play. Kittens can start to wander around the room, under supervision. Play with your kittens often! See Kitten Behavior & Trianing

• Continue providing a heat source for four-week-mold kittens, although they will likely use it only when resting. A heating pad on low works well. The kitten's environment should stay comfortably warm and never colder than 70-75 degrees.

• At four weeks of age, a kitten's teeth will continue to develop. The long teeth next to the incisors alled the canine teeth, will start to come through the gums. Once a kitten’s canines have come in, we can begin to introduce them pureed meat in a “gruel” mixture. Litter box training may begin at 4 weeks of age.

• Some Physical Features: 

  • Weight: approx.1 b. or between 450-550 grams

  • Eyes: Blue 

  • Teeth: Formed

• Heat Source: May be Required

• Food Source: Weaning

  • Dry food should be offered

• Litter Box: Required

• Supplies

Kittens with Mother: 

• Kittens should be nursing from their mother throughout the day and night. The queen may take periodic breaks away from the kittens but should return to them if they cry.

Orphaned Kittens: 

• Orphaned kittens should be bottle feed between 25-75 mL of formula every 4 hours. Overnight feeding can be every 4-5 hours.

• Feedings during the night are not required unless the kittens are not thriving. Once transitioned to gruel, kittens should get at least 5 meals a day. Weaning is a sensitive time in a kitten's life and should be handled with care

All Kittens: 

• “Gruel” should be offered on a flat dish or shallow bowl and picked up when not eating or supervised. If they are not still nursing on their mother, provide supplemental feeding of a familiar food like the formula from the bottle after they lose interest in gruel.

• Make sure to weigh all kittens daily to ensure that each kitten is maintaining a healthy weight and body condition.

• Heat Source: No longer needed

• Food Source: Weaning - Weaned 

  • Dry food should be offered

• Litter Box: Required

• Supplies

• At six weeks of age, a kitten's teeth will reach their final stage of early development. The molars will start to emerge, and depending on the kitten's health and condition, they will be perfecting their weaning onto wet food.

• Kittens at this age are due for more boosters & an exam. At 6-weeks-old, healthy kittens are eligible for public adoption holds, so friends and family can place holds on their choice. Make sure to express any adoption interest to a Community Pet Coordinator prior to them turning 6 weeks.