The Development of Kittens
21.04.2026 - Reading time: 1 minutes
They grow up so fast! Kittenhood lasts only a few months, during which the little cats go through rapid developmental stages. But how many phases does it take for a toothless, blind little furball to become a confident house cat? Read on to learn about the developmental stages of a kitten, week by week.
Developing Senses
Welcome to the world! As mummy cat has a well-deserved rest after giving birth, her kitten begins to discover the world around them through their senses. But they need a few days before it can move around independently – only the senses of smell and touch are already present in the newborn kitten which are vital for those first feeds.
Developmental Stages of Kittens
Developmental Stages of Kittens
- Warmth: Until the seventh day, the kitten cannot yet regulate its own body temperature and initially needs the warmth of its mother and siblings (and a few cuddly blankets!) so that its temperature balance can adjust to the environment. It is only at 28 days that its body temperature has fully stabilized at that of an adult cat.
- Hearing: Between the sixth and twelfth day, the ear canals open and the kitten can perceive sounds. By 20 to 30 days, its fine hearing is fully developed.
- Sight: The kitten’s eyes open after about ten days; however, its vision is not yet well developed. It is only at around four weeks that a sharp, cat-like gaze develops.
- Movement: From seven days old, the kitten begins to crawl around, leaving the immediate vicinity of their bed. By two weeks, it has mastered walking and moves about on its own paws.
- Biting: The incisors and canines show around day 21, followed by the molars a week later. The kitten’s milk teeth are fully developed after 56 days. However, this doesn’t last long: the permanent teeth begin to emerge around week 12.
By six to seven weeks of age, all of the kitten’s sensory functions are fully developed. From the eighth week (kidney function, blood count) or 16th week (liver function), the internal organs function like those of an adult cat.
Behavioural Changes
Behavioural Changes
- Weeks 1 and 2: The kitten is blind, deaf, and largely helpless. It does not leave the nesting box; its daily routine consists of nursing from its mother and sleeping.
- Weeks 3 to 5: The kittens’ waking periods lengthen, and their senses become more acute. They begin to perceive their environment and littermates. As soon as the kittens are able to move around, they start exploring their surroundings. This provides them with important impressions for the rest of their lives; experiences gained during this sensitive period shape the kitten’s character development. Gentle handling of the kittens during this phase and supervised contact with other pets fosters their trust. From the fourth week onward, kittens begin to show interest in solid food – this is the right time to start supplementing their diet.
- Weeks 6 to 7: Through playing with their siblings and imitating the behaviour of other cats, the little felines now learn important lessons in interacting with their own kind. By imitating their mother, for example, they understand grooming or how to use the litter box.
- Weeks 8 to 12: The kittens should now be weaned and eating solid food, but should stay with their mother and siblings for at least a month to complete socialisation.
From Kitten To Young Cat - When is a Kitten Considered an Adult?
From the eighth week of life, the kitten enters its adolescent phase, and from the tenth week onward, a veritable growth spurt takes place. Around the fourth month, most cat breeds reach sexual maturity and enter puberty. Many cats develop a more or less pronounced rebellious phase during this time, which you must counteract with patience and gentle firmness. A cat is considered fully grown upon reaching its first birthday. If you have the opportunity to visit a kitten regularly before moving it to its new home, you shouldn’t miss the fascinating development of the kitten.
