How Old Are Kittens When Their Eyes Open? A Complete Newborn Kitten Care Guide

Bringing home a newborn kitten is exciting but demanding. One of the first things new kitten parents wonder is: how old are kittens when their eyes open? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all, but understanding the timeline helps you know what to expect in those critical early weeks.

Timeline: When Do Kittens Open Their Eyes?

Most kittens open their eyes between 7 to 10 days after birth. However, every kitten develops at their own pace—some may take up to two or three weeks. According to Kristiina Wilson, a certified cat behavior clinician, “Kittens are doing everything via smell initially. They’re still developing outside the womb, which is why their eyes remain closed at first.”

The reason? Newborn kittens are essentially blind and deaf for the first week—they rely entirely on smell to find their mother and food.

Critical Care Steps for Newborn Kittens

Raising a kitten without its mother demands serious commitment. Here’s what you need to prioritize:

Keep Your Kitten Warm

Baby kittens cannot regulate their own body temperature. Wilson recommends using a heating pad or disc set to low and covered with a towel. Animal-specific heating pads are ideal, as human versions can overheat and burn delicate kitten skin.

Maintain Proper Hygiene

Without a mother cat to groom them, you become the groomer. “Kittens are developing their immune systems and are vulnerable to bacteria and viruses. Keep a warm, damp washcloth nearby to clean them regularly, and always wash your hands before and after handling,” Wilson explains. For particularly dirty kittens, a quick bath with baby shampoo and warm water works.

Start Early Socialization

This is crucial for behavior development. Kittens should be socialized between 2 to 7 weeks of age. Spend at least 15 minutes daily handling your kitten—longer is better. After 5 weeks, introduce them to as many new people as possible (behaviorists recommend about 100 people during this window). Early exposure to portable crates, different sounds, and environments prevents aggressive or fearful behavior later.

The First Weeks Breakdown

Ages 0-4 Weeks: Complete Dependency

During this stage, your kitten is extremely fragile:

• Feeding: Use kitten milk replacer every 3 hours, bottle-feeding with the kitten lying flat on its stomach
• Burping: Gently support the abdomen with one hand and pat the back with the other
• Elimination: Kittens under 3 weeks can’t urinate or defecate alone—rub their belly and genital areas with a soft cloth to stimulate this
• Monitoring: Watch for weight gain, regular eating, and bathroom habits. Red flags include lethargy, coughing, diarrhea, crusty eyes, bleeding, or constant crying

Ages 5-11 Weeks: Development Acceleration

Around 6-8 weeks:

• Gradually introduce wet or dry kitten food (formulated with essential nutrients)
• Start litter training with a kitten-sized box—place them inside multiple times until they understand
• Begin vaccination series, which continues until 16 weeks old

Common Mistakes That Compromise Kitten Health

Skipping spaying or neutering: This contributes to shelter overpopulation and unnecessary euthanizations.

Delaying vaccinations: Vaccine series should begin at 6-8 weeks. Missing these shots leaves kittens vulnerable to serious illness.

Failing to kitten-proof your home: Kittens explore everything like human toddlers. Remove toxic plants, secure electrical cords, and eliminate choking hazards. Put away anything small enough to swallow.

The Bonding Payoff

Yes, caring for a newborn kitten is exhausting. You’re essentially becoming a surrogate mother—providing warmth, nutrition, hygiene, and constant attention. But Wilson notes the reward: “This kitten is going to be super bonded to you.” That deep connection makes every sleepless night worth it.

Understanding how old kittens are when their eyes open is just the beginning. The real magic happens in those first weeks when you’re laying the foundation for a healthy, well-adjusted companion.