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When it comes to kitten development, in their first year alone they develop at a rapid rate, both physically and socially. In
order to help this growing process along, learn about the major milestones in their development in the following article:
First 6 weeks
For the first week of life, kittens live only to process food and gain nutrients. Their eye and ear canals will not yet be
open, and the mother cat will take care of all their needs. By the end of week two, their eyes will be completely open.
Throughout this week and the next, their senses of sight, smell, and hearing will be developing and they’ll become more aware
of the outside world. During week three, kittens may start to purr and the mother cat may begin to wean them, as they can
digest on their own.
Between weeks three and four, the kittens will start to stand and even walk. In week five, the weaning process will start
taking place in earnest. Owners should offer kittens’ well-balanced canned food especially formulated for kitten needs. As
the kittens are slowly weaned, they will continue to nurse for up to eight or 10 weeks to satisfy their need to suckle. At
five weeks, kittens will be more independent, can start to learn about the litter box, and socialize with their litter.
During week six, socializing is the most important skill for kittens to learn as they play with each other and adjust to
humans. If a kitten is not socialized to be handled by humans by six weeks, it is a very difficult skill to teach later in
life.
7 To 12 Weeks
Kitten development from 7 to 12 weeks includes lots of socializing skills. Still continuing to grow, kittens at this age
will play with other kittens and humans too. This playful kitten time helps improve their motor skills and it won’t be long
before they take on adult sleeping habits. Although it may seem like just play for us, a kitten’s play times actually
revolves around skills needed for hunting prey, such as hide and seek, jumping, pouncing, and tracking a toy across the
room.
Enjoy this playful time with your kitten; however, don’t forget to get your kitten’s first round of shots by week eight.
Three or 4 weeks later follow up the first round with a booster round of shots. If your kitten has fleas, you can begin a
topical treatment at 8 weeks.
3 To 6 Months
During this time of growth, you may turn around one day and your kitten suddenly looks more like a cat. A round kitten may
become long and lithe before gaining his final adult weight. At approximately four months, a kitten will start losing baby
teeth and adult teeth will come in. Although it may be a somewhat painful process for the kitten, it provides you with a good
opportunity to massage his gums and begin a dental care regime. Throughout these months, continue to feed him kitten food, as
he needs the additional nutrients.
Socially, kittens will find their social rank in the house, sometimes challenging the alpha cat and sometimes falling
meekly into order. These tendencies depend on personality and social position. Traditionally, kittens were not spayed or
neutered until six months. However, many advocates of early spaying and neutering believe that having the procedure done
between three and six months of age is more beneficial to the cat. Read up on the procedure and talk to your veterinarian to
decide how to proceed.
6 Months to 1 Year
This time of development roughly equates to teenager status in human beings. For this reason, your kitten may sometimes
rebuff your affections as he tests his boundaries or tries to establish dominance. Like with teenagers, continue to give your
kitten unconditional love—but on his terms. As mothers have said for years, he’ll grow out of it!
By the end of her first year, a kitten will be almost fully grown and developed, although she will continue to grow for
another year. (Some breeds may even not be fully developed until four years of age.) If you have given her love and attention
throughout the growing process, you two will enjoy a wonderful relationship for many years!
Growing Up
Kitten development in the first year is such an enjoyable process to watch so be sure to have the camera handy to capture
all the special moments of your kitten’s first year. Years later, when you are looking at those old pictures, it will be hard
to believe that the leaping little fur ball in the photos is the mature, sedate adult cat now sitting in your lap.
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