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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
A new kitten is a true little bundle of fluffy joy. And whether you’re new to kitten parenthood or already a total pro, it’s essential to keep an eye on your kitten’s development with these helpful age and feeding charts to determine how to care for them properly, when they’re ready to be spayed or neutered, and what age is suitable for adoption.
We’ve spoken to Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, medical director at Cat-World.com and Kingsgate Animal Hospital, to help answer all your questions about your kitten’s age and development as they grow into their whiskers.
A Comprehensive Kitten Age Chart
So, how can you tell how old your kitten is? If you didn’t mark their exact birthday (or weren’t there when it happened), there are various indicators you can look out for to determine your kitty’s actual age. Look at our comprehensive kitten age chart below for the full breakdown.
| Kitten Age | Kitten Physical Characteristics |
| Newborn |
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| 1 Week |
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| 2 Weeks |
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| 3 Weeks |
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| 4 Weeks |
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| 5 Weeks |
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| 6 Weeks |
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| 7 Weeks |
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| 8 Weeks |
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| 9 Weeks |
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| 10 Weeks |
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What age is a kitten no longer a kitten?
You may have heard of some debate in the vet community. But most of the time, Dr. Whittenburg says, usually a kitten is considered an adult cat when they reach a year old.
When should I take a kitten to the vet?
With the info from the kitten age chart, you might wonder when it’s okay to adopt a kitten. According to Dr. Whittenburg, newborn kittens and their mothers should be examined by a veterinarian soon after birth to evaluate their overall health and detect any apparent congenital abnormalities.
However, if you’ve just adopted or purchased a new kitten, you should take them to your veterinarian for a checkup as soon as possible. Vaccines should have been started when the kitten was 6-8 weeks old, but they will still need a set every 3-4 weeks until they are 14-16 weeks old.
iStock/NickyLloyd
What Is The Ideal Age To Adopt A Kitten?
Dr. Whittenburg says kittens shouldn’t be weaned and re-homed until 12 weeks old. That’s because a kitten’s first 12 weeks are important for physical and behavioral development.
If kittens leave their mothers too early, it can cause increased aggression, anxious behaviors, obesity, and a weakened immune system.
Benefits of keeping kittens with their litter
Meanwhile, keeping kittens with their mom and their siblings can provide the following benefits:
- Antibodies from their mom’s milk help bolster the immune system
- Limited contact with outside pathogens before their immune systems (and vaccines) are fully functional
- Necessary social skills and boundaries to behave around other cats
- Proper litter box habits
- Learning how to groom themselves properly (and avoid nervous overgrooming)
- Establishing how to play safely as mom will intervene if it gets too rough or vicious
How Much Should My Kitten Weigh According To The Age Chart?
We’ve put together a kitten weight chart similar to our kitten age chart. This will serve as a guide to help monitor your kitten’s weight as they grow over ten weeks.
| Kitten Age | Kitten Weight |
| Newborn | 3-7 ounces |
| 1 Week | 5-10 ounces |
| 2 Weeks | 8-14 ounces |
| 3 Weeks | 10 ounces-1.1 pounds |
| 4 Weeks | 12 ounces-1.3 pounds |
| 5 Weeks | 14 ounces-1.8 pounds |
| 6 Weeks | 1-2 pounds |
| 7 Weeks | 1.2-2.3 pounds |
| 8 Weeks | 1.4-2.6 pounds |
| 9 Weeks | 1.6-2.9 pounds |
| 10 Weeks | 1.8-3.1 pounds |
What factors affect my cat’s weight?
Dr. Whittenburg says the above chart is a good indicator for domestic shorthair cats. But if you have a different breed (from a miniature Munchkin to a giant Maine Coon), the weights can vary. Other factors that can determine how heavy your cat will be are the size of the litter and any genetic illnesses or traits.
How much weight should my kitten gain each week?
A healthy rate of weight gain for kittens is approximately ½ ounce per day — around four ounces each week. But, of course, there will be some variation, and in a litter, it’s expected that some kittens will put on weight a bit faster while others might lag slightly.
If you notice one kitten, in particular, isn’t getting enough feeding time, you can help them along by placing them with mom to latch more frequently. Note that kittens will often feed a little at a time since their digestive systems can’t handle too much all at once.
And remember, you can always check with your vet if you are concerned that your kitten isn’t putting on enough weight—or too much!
iStock/MriyaWildlife
How Much Should I Feed My Kitten?
Now that you’ve determined your kitten’s age, it’s time to determine a feeding schedule. If your adult cat has had a litter, the mom will take care of all her kittens’ food requirements. So you won’t need to worry about supplementing their diet.
However, if you’ve got an orphaned kitten or kittens on your hands, you’ll need to replace mom’s milk with the proper kitten formula. The following chart details what you should be feeding your kitten by week.
| Kitten Age | What To Feed Them | What Amount & How Often |
| Newborn-1 week | Kitten formula | 2-5 mL; Bottle feed every 2 hours |
| 1-2 weeks | Kitten formula | 6-10 mL; Bottle feed every 2-3 hours |
| 2-3 weeks | Kitten formula | 10-14 mL; Bottle feed every 3-4 hours |
| 3-4 weeks | Kitten formula | 14-18 mL; Bottle feed every 4-5 hours |
| 4-5 weeks | Mix of formula and solid (wet) food | 18-22 mL; Bottle feed every 5-6 hours |
| 5-8 weeks | Weaning period (offer plenty of wet food) | Feed every 6 hours |
How should I feed my kitten?
If your kitten has been separated from their mom or you need to supplement some of their food, you’ll have to learn how to feed them. The main steps to feed a kitten are the following.
- Weigh your kitten
- Calculate their stomach capacity (how much they’ll be able to drink at once)
- Clean and prepare your equipment
- Prepare the milk formula
- Get your kitten ready to eat & feed them
- Clean up
iStock/Nils Jacobi
What food is right for my kitten?
The best food for a kitten up to 12 weeks is always mom’s milk. And according to Dr. Whittenburg, the mom will start to wean her kittens between 4-8 weeks by introducing them to her food.
However, if you need to feed them formula, it can be daunting to figure out which is right for you and your kitten. If you’re unsure about the best kitten formula for your kitty’s needs, speak to your vet.
Can I feed my kitten milk?
No, do not feed your kitten milk. Dr. Whittenburg stresses that it’s essential not to feed your kitten or cat milk because cow’s milk is not nutritionally complete for their growth and development. Plus, because cow’s milk is designed for baby cows and not kittens, it can often lead to gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea — both very serious in a young kitten.
Wet vs. dry kitten food
When you first wean your kitten, it’s important to start with wet food because it’s easier to digest and eat. Your kitten’s teeth might not be strong enough for dry food yet! Wet food is naturally more hydrating, so as your kitten ages and starts to eat dry food, make sure to have extra fresh water around to drink.
It’s recommended to feed your kitten as much as they’ll eat three to four times a day up until they’re 20 weeks old. Feeding your kitten 1/2 can of food per lb of body weight per day is good up to 30 weeks. Then, between 31 weeks and one year, a 1/4 can per lb. This can be a mix of wet and dry food.
To ensure you’ve chosen the best kitten food, look for a phrase similar to “Complete and balanced nutrition for kittens based on AAFCO feeding trials” on the packaging.
iStock/Siarhei SHUNTSIKAU
Kitten Age & Care: Takeaway
While having a new kitten is a wonderful experience, it’s critical to familiarize yourself with a kitten age chart to accurately track their weight and determine the correct feeding schedule. Other essential kitten care tips include the following.
- Keep your kittens warm
- Clean your kittens often
- Work with a vet to determine proper nutrition requirements
- Do your best to protect them from diseases
- Encourage socialization with other cats and humans
