4 Ways To Tell How Old A Kitten Is - WikiHow

Skip to ContentQuizzes

• PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
• QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games ForumsArts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and Garden Relationship QuizzesCars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and Style Sports and FitnessComputers and ElectronicsHealthPets and Animals TravelEducation & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and Religion Work WorldFamily LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationships Youth
• LOG IN

  Log in

  Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
• RANDOM

• Home
• Random
• Browse Articles
• TrendingNew
• Quizzes & Games
• All QuizzesHot
• Love Quizzes
• Personality Quizzes
• Fun Games
• Dating Simulator
• Learn Something New
• Forums
• Courses
• Happiness Hub
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow

• Log in / Sign up

Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

• Categories
• Pets and Animals
• Cats
• Getting a Cat

How to Tell How Old a Kitten Is Download Article Co-authored by Natalie Punt, DVM

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Examining Physical Traits
|
• Assessing Behavior
|
• Identifying Sexual Maturity
|
• Confirming Age Predictions
|
• Expert Q&A
|
• Tips

|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Natalie Punt, DVM. Dr. Natalie Punt is a Veterinarian and the Founder and CEO of mPet- a smart phone app for pet owners to store, manage and transfer their pets medical records and health information. She specializes in small animal emergency and general medicine and veterinary practice economics. Dr. Punt holds a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The University of California, Davis, an MS in Biochemistry from The University at Buffalo, and a DVM from Western University of Health Sciences. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,288,230 times.

If you've found, adopted, or inherited a kitten, you need to know how old they are. Kittens develop at a far faster rate than humans, and the needs of a two-week-old kitten are different from those of a 6-week old kitten. Although you can't know their precise age, an informed estimate will help you take care of your new friend properly.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 4:

Examining Physical Traits

Download Article

1. 1 Look for an umbilical cord stump. If you find one, you can be sure you’re dealing with a newborn kitten.[1]
   • The mother usually bites the cord until it breaks. The remaining “stump” will be a small piece of tissue hanging from the kitten’s belly.
   • Cats’ umbilical cord stumps usually fall off in the first 3 days of life. If your kitten still has a cord stump, they are likely only days old.
2. 2 Examine the kitten’s eyes. A kitten’s eyes will go through several developmental stages as the begin to open and then ultimately change color. Looking at and watching for changes in the eyes can help you assess a kitten’s age.[2]
   • Kittens do not open their eyes until they reach about ten to 14 days in age, but some do open their eyes as early as 7 to 10 days. If your kitten has closed eyes, they are likely a newborn. If your kitten has already opened their eyes, they are at least a full week old.
   • If your kitten's eyes are just starting to open but still appear squinty, they may be in their second or third week of life. When kittens begin opening their eyes, the eyes are bright blue in color, regardless of what color their eyes turn later as they grow up.
   • If you have an older kitten and you notice their eyes beginning to change color, they are likely around 6-7 weeks old. At this time, the irises (colored parts) will begin to transition to their permanent, mature color. Note that if the kitten is growing into a mature, blue-eyed cat, you may not be able to observe any color change to help you determine their age.
   Advertisement
3. 3 Check the kitten’s ears. Like the eyes, a kitten’s ears go through developmental changes in the early stages of development. You may be able to pinpoint the age of a younger kitten based on characteristics of or changes to the ears.[3]
   • If your kitten’s ears are stuck close to their head, they are probably less than one week old. Kittens are born with their ear canals closed, which results in ears that appear flattened back against the head. A kitten's ears will begin to open up at between 5 and 8 days in age.
   • Watch for the kitten’s ears to pop up. The kitten’s ears will take longer to open than their eyes. Though the closed ear canals begin to open at between 5 and 8 days, it takes longer for the ears to pop up visibly. The ears will pop up sometime between the second and third week of your kitten's life.
4. 4 Examine the kitten’s teeth. A good way to assess the age of both young and juvenile kittens is to check the presence and development of their teeth. A kitten with no teeth is likely a newborn, younger than 2 weeks of age. If teeth are present, you can still estimate the age based on the number and characteristics of the teeth.[4]
   • The first deciduous (baby) teeth should push through the gums around 2 or 3 weeks of age. The first teeth to pop through will likely be the incisors. If you don’t see the teeth visually, you may be able to feel them by gently feeling the kitten’s gums.
   • The deciduous canines begin growing at 3-4 weeks of age. These are the long and pointed teeth that grow next to the deciduous incisors.
   • The deciduous premolars begin breaking through the gums at around 4-6 weeks. The premolars are the teeth that grow between the canine and molar teeth.
   • If all of a kitten’s baby teeth are present but they do not yet have molars, they should be around four months of age.[5] They should have:
     • 6 incisors in the top jaw and 6 in the bottom jaw
     • 2 canines on the top jaw and 2 in the bottom jaw (one on either side of the last incisor)
     • 3 premolars on the top jaw
     • 2 premolars on the bottom jaw.
5. 5 Check for adult teeth. If you find larger, adult teeth in a kitten, they are likely four months or older. The timing of the teeth may be a little less precise in an older kitten than it is in a very young kitten, but you should be able to get a good idea of the kitten’s age based on when their adult teeth come in.
   • The adult incisor teeth are the first to come in, around 4 months.[6]
   • Between 4 and 6 months, the baby canines, premolars and molars are replaced by adult teeth.
   • If your kitten has all their adult teeth and all four molars, they are likely at least 7 months old.
   • Be aware that these guidelines are based on normal, healthy kittens; medical issues or accidents can cause teeth to be missing or come in late.
6. 6 Weigh the kitten. A prediction based on weight can be imprecise due to differences in size and breed, but the weight can be a factor that gives you more information about your kitten’s approximate age.[7]
   • A cat's nutrition and nourishment can also impact how much it weighs.[8]
   • The average healthy kitten weighs about 3.5 oz at birth, and gains about a quarter ounce per day. So, a normal kitten will weighing from 3.5 to 5.25 oz is in its first week of life. (Note that a kitten weighing less than 3.5 oz may be sick or undernourished. Take the kitten to a veterinarian for evaluation.)
   • A normal kitten will weigh from 4-6 oz (113-170 g) and be smaller than a human adult's hand at 1 to 2 weeks.[9]
   • Most kittens will weigh from 6-8 oz (170-225 g) when they are 2-3 weeks old.[10]
   • A kitten that weights .5 to 1 pound (225g to 450g) is likely around 4-5 weeks old.[11]
   • A kitten weighing between 1.5 pounds to 2 pounds (680g-900g) is likely 7-8 weeks old.
   • The average cat aged three months or more will weigh one pound per month of age until their weight stabilizes at around 10 pounds. So, a 3-pound cat will likely be 3 months old, and a 4-pound cat will be 4 months old. Though this is a generalization, it's a useful rule of thumb for cats over 12 weeks in age until the cat reaches their adult weight, which is about 10 pounds for most cats.
Advertisement

Method 2 Method 2 of 4:

Assessing Behavior

Download Article

1. 1 Monitor the kitten for signs of weaning. This step only applies to kittens that are still with their mothers. The mother will stop allowing her kitten to nurse at around 4-6 weeks after birth. That’s when her milk begins to dry up.
   • If the mother has fully weaned her kitten off milk, the kitten is probably about 7 weeks old. After 7 weeks, mother cats will no longer allow her kittens to nurse. You might notice that the kitten tries to approach their mother to nurse, but is swatted away and rejected.
   • A kitten of 7-8 weeks will begin leaving their mother more frequently and for longer periods of time for more adventurous exploration.
2. 2 Watch the kitten’s mobility. A kitten’s proficiency in walking can indicate her age based on normal development. Kittens are unable to stand or walk around until they reach around 2 to 4 weeks of age. Until then, they spend their time snuggling up to their mother and siblings, sleeping, or nursing. If a kitten needs to move in the first few weeks, they do a belly-crawl.[12]
   • Wobbliness and uncertainty when your kitten walks indicates that your kitten is around 2 weeks old, assuming they don't have a mobility disorder such as cerebellar hypoplasia.
   • If your kitten is beginning to look confident in their ability to walk, they are likely older than 3 weeks.
   • Between 3-4 weeks, a kitten will begin to demonstrate the righting reflex, which is the ability to turn in mid-air to land on their feet.
   • Around 4 weeks of age, the kitten will be able to walk more steadily and explore their environment. Their natural curiosity and playfulness will emerge with this increased mobility. Kittens of this age will begin pouncing.
   • A kitten who can run is at least five weeks old.
3. 3 Observe the kitten's reaction to noise and moving objects. Although the eyes and ear canals begin opening in the second or third week of life, those senses are still developing at an early age. Response to external stimuli indicate an age of about 3.5 weeks.
4. 4 Assess confidence and playfulness. A healthy kitten will grow more confident around the fifth and sixth weeks of their life. This is due, in large part, to their growing coordination and mobility. A kitten of this age will begin exploring their environment more fearlessly than a younger, more hesitant kitten.[13]
   • By 7-8 weeks, a kitten should be highly coordinated and mobile. They will enjoy running around, playing and socializing with humans and other pets, and exploring higher spaces by jumping.
Advertisement

Method 3 Method 3 of 4:

Identifying Sexual Maturity

Download Article

1. 1 Look for signs of feline puberty. At around 4 months, kitten behavior begins changing as a result of changing hormones. Kittens of this age will meow loudly at night or try to escape the house to get outdoors.[14] These can be signs that the kitten is beginning to go through puberty.
2. 2 Watch for signs of continuing sexual maturity. At 4-6 months, a kitten is essentially going through their teenage years. A cat of this age will begin to lose their plumpness (baby fat) and develop a sleeker body, even as they gain weight.[15]
   • Male kittens over 4 months may begin scent marking (spraying urine) to attract females to mate.
   • Female kittens may begin going into heat between 4 and 6 months. This also involves scent marking, along with loud, near-constant yowling and writhing about.
3. 3 Identify the “juvenile” stage. Kittens 7 months or older are considered juveniles, and they are both larger in size and sexually mature. Be aware that a juvenile female cat can become pregnant if she is not fixed. Along with sexual maturity comes increased aggression.[16]
   • Kittens begin to challenge other cats for dominance starting at around 6 months. Juvenile kittens tend to bite more often than younger kittens or grown cats.
   • Cat bites tend to occur a lot from cats in the juvenile age group, so take care when handling cats from this age group.
Advertisement

Method 4 Method 4 of 4:

Confirming Age Predictions

Download Article

1. 1 Ask the agency or person from whom you’re adopting. Good agencies and breeders keep sound records of their kittens, and will be able to provide at least a close guess. If they did not witness the birth firsthand, the best they can provide is an estimate. Even if a shelter receives a kitten well after birth, they have an experienced staff and veterinarians who can provide professional estimates.
2. 2 Ask a veterinarian. When you take your kitten for their first veterinary exam, ask the vet for an educated estimate of its age. During this same visit, your veterinarian will also advise you on the tests and vaccines your kitten will need to lead a healthy life.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Question How big is a 3 month old kitten? Natalie Punt, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Natalie Punt is a Veterinarian and the Founder and CEO of mPet- a smart phone app for pet owners to store, manage and transfer their pets medical records and health information. She specializes in small animal emergency and general medicine and veterinary practice economics. Dr. Punt holds a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The University of California, Davis, an MS in Biochemistry from The University at Buffalo, and a DVM from Western University of Health Sciences. Natalie Punt, DVM Veterinarian Expert Answer Since the cat's nourishment can impact growth, so there's no way to be completely sure without a vet. That said, a kitten that is about 4 to 5 weeks old should weigh 350 to 450 g. From there, you could add 100 grams per week.. Obviously, this is a very general rule of thumb that may work for a healthy kitten. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
• Question Is weight the best way to tell a cat's age? Natalie Punt, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Natalie Punt is a Veterinarian and the Founder and CEO of mPet- a smart phone app for pet owners to store, manage and transfer their pets medical records and health information. She specializes in small animal emergency and general medicine and veterinary practice economics. Dr. Punt holds a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The University of California, Davis, an MS in Biochemistry from The University at Buffalo, and a DVM from Western University of Health Sciences. Natalie Punt, DVM Veterinarian Expert Answer It depends on the case. It's not always easy to be certain, as different breeds of cats will have different weights. Also, nutrition can influence a lot the weight of the pet, so that may complicate things. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 4
• Question I found a kitten whose eyes and ears are just open. He drinks milk well, and I suspect he's about 3 weeks old. When should I start giving him kitten food? Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Expert Answer Try to give him KMR (kitten milk replacer) rather than cow's milk. The mother cat starts to wean her young from about 4 weeks of age, so keep going with the KMR for another week or so. First make sure he can drink KMR from a bowl rather than a syringe, and then add some KMR to canned kitten food to make a thick gruel or soup. As the kitten learns to drink this, gradually thicken it up by reducing the amount of KMR. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 60

See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

• The prime socialization period for a kitten is between 2 and 7 weeks of age. A kitten's behavior at 7-8 weeks is important for determining whether they can live happily with humans and other pets. An unsocialized kitten may be feral, which can make future socialization with humans difficult. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

• All kittens have blue eyes when they're born, and they start changing into their permanent eye colors at around 7 weeks old.
• Kittens love to play and have high energy for a few months, so give them as much time and attention as you can.
• Some kittens do not lose their cord stump for up to 7 -10 days, which could be a sign of an umbilical hernia.

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How to Determine the Age of Your Cat How toKnow if a Kitten Is Old Enough to Neuter or Spay How toTell Your Puppy's Age How toCare for a Stray Kitten How toTell a Fawn's Age How toGet Your Kitten to Eat How toCatch a Stray Kitten How toDetermine the Sex of a Kitten How toCare for Kittens from Birth How toCare for Orphaned Kittens Less Than Three Weeks of Age How toTell the Age of a Rabbit How toWean Kittens How toDetermine Your Dog's Age By Its Teeth How toIntroduce Solid Food to Kittens Advertisement

References

1. ↑ https://www.hshv.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CommunityKittenAgesDesc.pdf
2. ↑ https://www.hshv.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CommunityKittenAgesDesc.pdf
3. ↑ https://www.hshv.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/CommunityKittenAgesDesc.pdf
4. ↑ Natalie Punt, DVM. Veterinarian. Expert Interview
5. ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/retained-deciduous-teeth-baby-teeth-in-cats
6. ↑ https://www.ruralareavet.org/PDF/Physical_Exam-How_to_Determine_Age.pdf
7. ↑ Natalie Punt, DVM. Veterinarian. Expert Interview
8. ↑ Natalie Punt, DVM. Veterinarian. Expert Interview
9. ↑ https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/telling-kittens-age-four-steps

More References (7)

10. ↑ https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/telling-kittens-age-four-steps
11. ↑ Natalie Punt, DVM. Veterinarian. Expert Interview
12. ↑ https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/telling-kittens-age-four-steps
13. ↑ https://bestfriends.org/stories/features/determining-age-orphaned-kittens
14. ↑ https://www.cats.org.uk/cats-blog/what-happens-to-cats-in-puberty
15. ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/estrus-cycles-in-cats
16. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-behavior-problems-aggression

About This Article

Co-authored by: Natalie Punt, DVM Veterinarian This article was co-authored by Natalie Punt, DVM. Dr. Natalie Punt is a Veterinarian and the Founder and CEO of mPet- a smart phone app for pet owners to store, manage and transfer their pets medical records and health information. She specializes in small animal emergency and general medicine and veterinary practice economics. Dr. Punt holds a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The University of California, Davis, an MS in Biochemistry from The University at Buffalo, and a DVM from Western University of Health Sciences. This article has been viewed 1,288,230 times. 2 votes - 100% Co-authors: 19 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 1,288,230 Categories: Featured Articles | Getting a Cat Article SummaryX

To tell how old a kitten is, check to see if it still has its umbilical cord stump, if its eyes are closed, and if its ears are stuck close to its head. If you notice these features, the kitten is likely less than 1 week old. If your kitten's eyes are open and its ears have popped up, it is probably 2-3 weeks old. As the eyes and ears open and the kitten begins to develop its senses, it will start to react to external stimuli at about 3.5 weeks old. For more advice from our Veterinary reviewer, including tips on how to use a kitten’s behavior to determine how old it is, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Italian Portuguese German Russian French Chinese Spanish Dutch Indonesian Thai Korean Japanese Arabic Vietnamese Turkish Czech

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,288,230 times.

Reader Success Stories

• 

  C. Rans

  Jul 20, 2018

  "I found a kitten under a big old fir tree in our park while walking my dogs. Heard a pathetic mewing, went over to..." more Rated this article:

More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Natalie Punt, DVM Veterinarian Co-authors: 19 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 1,288,230 100% of readers found this article helpful. 2 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote 100% of people told us that this article helped them.

C. Rans

Jul 20, 2018

"I found a kitten under a big old fir tree in our park while walking my dogs. Heard a pathetic mewing, went over to..." more Rated this article:

Daniela Avila

Apr 25, 2016

"I rescued a baby kitten and had no idea how to determine her age. I was instructed on how to feed her and make sure..." more

Anonymous

Sep 8, 2016

"Baby feral dropped at door by a young female. Eye color changing and the teeth helped determine it's older..." more

Catherine Bryson

Oct 14, 2017

"This article confirmed what I believed, but wasn't 100% sure about. The presence of teeth, activity level,..." more

Christie B.

May 17, 2017

"I thought the kitten hiding under our house was probably about 4-6 weeks old, now, after reading this, I am..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

What Age Is My Brain QuizTake QuizWhat Kind of Cat Am I QuizTake QuizPuppy Weight CalculatorAnalyzeAnimal Riddle QuizTake QuizDoes My Cat Love Me QuizTake QuizAm I a Genius QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

How to Determine the Age of Your CatHow toKnow if a Kitten Is Old Enough to Neuter or SpayHow toTell Your Puppy's AgeHow toCare for a Stray Kitten

Featured Articles

How to Text Yourself: Fake Text Messages, Reminders, and MoreAccurate Omegaverse Quiz: 100% GuaranteeThe Hardest & Most Difficult Riddles for AdultsHow to Be More Spontaneous and Enjoy Life to the FullestHow toImprove Your PersonalitySigns You Were Meant For Greatness (Quiz)

Trending Articles

How Sexual Am I QuizHow Much Do I Mog QuizWho Is Secretly Crushing On Me Right Now QuizAccurate IQ Checker Quiz: How Smart Am I?Will I Ever Find Love QuizCan We Guess How Tall You Are Quiz

Featured Articles

210+ Shower Thoughts: Funny, Deep, Weird & Mind-BlowingHow to Meet Gay People Without a Dating AppCute, Thoughtful & Romantic Messages to Wish Her a Good Day at WorkWhat Movie Should I Stream QuizWhat Does the Term "Femboy" Mean?40+ Fun & Exciting Group Game Ideas to Play with 20+ People

Featured Articles

11 Things to Do If You’re Connected to Wi-Fi But Have No InternetThe Ultimate List of Funny Nicknames for Your CoworkersWhich Five Nights at Freddy's Character Am I QuizBest Haircuts for Men with Round Faces (& How to Style Them)What Is the Chubby Body Type? Plus, How It Compares to Other Body TypesDo I Have an Innocent Face Quiz

Watch Articles

How to Marinate Chicken: 4 Recipes and a Step-By-Step GuideHow toClean Shower TileHow toDo Oblique CrunchesSimple Ways to Riffle Shuffle and Bridge Playing CardsHow toMake Black CoffeeHow toPlant a Seed in a Pot

Trending Articles

Do I Attract the Male Gaze or the Female Gaze QuizHow Weird Am I QuizFunny Numbers to Call When You’re Bored or Want to Prank SomeoneThe 26 Different Types of Women in Psychology, Dating, & LiteratureMental Illness TestWhat Type of Person Do I Attract Quiz

Quizzes & Games

How Old Is My Soul QuizTake QuizWhat Will the Sex of My Baby Be QuizTake QuizWhen Will I Get My First Period QuizTake QuizHow Old Are You Meant To Be QuizTake QuizGuess My Age QuizTake QuizCognitive TestTake Quiz

• Categories
• Pets and Animals
• Cats
• Getting a Cat

wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Jobs
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info
• Contribute

Follow Us

×

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

Subscribe You're all set! X --944