Kittens go from helpless newborns to small, capable hunters in their first 12 weeks, and each week brings something new in how they move, sense the world and behave. Knowing what to expect makes those weeks easier to enjoy and easier to get right.

Weeks 1-2: The Newborn Stage

Kitten Development Stages

In the first days of life, kittens weigh between 90 and 110 grams and can do very little for themselves. Their eyes and ear canals are sealed, but touch and smell work from the start and guide them to their mother and littermates.

Newborn kittens spend about 90% of their time asleep and the rest feeding. They can't control their own body temperature, so they rely entirely on their mother, or a human carer, for warmth.

A newborn moves by a kind of swimming crawl, dragging itself short distances with its front paws. The back legs aren't strong enough to take any weight yet. Research shows that at birth a kitten has its basic reflexes and can pull itself towards its mother using mainly its front legs.

Eyes usually begin to open between days seven and fourteen, showing blue eyes that will change colour in most cats as they grow. The ear canals open at around day five to eight, and sound reaches a kitten for the first time. Then, from week three, everything speeds up...

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Research rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 of 5). Last updated 25 August 2026.

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