Kittens are the most adorable things in the world, but they can also be pretty confusing. So far, we’ve covered how to tell if your new kitten is healthy and what to do if you find them sick.
Kittens are born blind and deaf, with their eyes sealed shut. They develop their senses of hearing and touch just a few days after birth, and their vision by the time they’re 6 weeks old. The newborn kitten’s eyes are sealed shut until approximately 6 weeks of age. Kittens rely on other senses to find food, warmth and comfort during this time period: they can hear noises made by their mother or other kittens; they feel vibrations from footsteps or voices; they smell odors from objects like human hands (which may bring them comfort).
A newborn kitten weighs about 3 oz., which is about the size of a quarter. Their eyes are closed at birth and will remain so for 2-3 weeks. By the time they’re 6 weeks old, their eyes should be open and they’ll be starting to learn how to walk and explore their surroundings. Kittens are very fragile in the first week of life, but they’re also quite playful! They can be relatively active in their nest or carrier. You may notice that your kitten is more active at night than during the day, which is normal. Kittens will sleep a lot during this time and will eat every 2-3 hours on average (though it varies). They’ll also start exploring their surroundings by rolling around, playing with toys, and climbing onto things like countertops or furniture that they shouldn’t be on yet!
At this point, kittens do not need human contact. However, they do need to be kept warm and dry at all times! Make sure the kitten has a warm place where it can go to get out of the cold or heat. It may be helpful to have multiple places around your home that are suitable for this purpose so they aren’t always in the same place. Keep them away from drafts or air conditioning vents that could be too cold for their sensitive skin. A heating pad set on low will work great as well! Newborn kittens nurse every 1-2 hours and drink colostrum (the first milk) for up to 24 hours after birth. After being weaned off colostrum, newborn kittens will begin eating solid food between 7-10 days, typically with their mother’s help.
Kittens are a lot of work, but they’re also very rewarding! They can be very loving and affectionate pets. The first 6 weeks are crucial for your kitten’s development, so it’s important to keep them warm and dry at all times. You might also want to consider purchasing some toys or other entertainment items for your new pet as well – these will help keep him or her entertained while you’re busy with other things around the house!
