You need to know how old a kitten is.The needs of a two-week-old kitten are different from those of the 6-week old kitten.An estimate will help you take care of your new friend, even though you don't know it's exact age.
Step 1: There is an umbilical cord stump.
You can be sure that you are dealing with a newborn kitten if you find one.The mother bites the cord.There is a small piece of tissue hanging off the kitten's belly.The first 3 days of life are when the cat's cord falls off.If your kitten has a cord stump, it is only days old.
Step 2: The kitten's eyes should be looked at.
A kitten's eyes go through several stages as they begin to open and change color.It is possible to assess a kitten's age by looking at their eyes.Some kittens open their eyes as early as 7 to 10 days of age, while others do not.A newborn kitten is likely to have closed eyes.The kitten is at least a week old if she has already opened her eyes.If your kitten's eyes are just starting to open, she may be in her second or third week of life.The eyes of kittens are bright blue in color when they start opening their eyes.If you notice that your kitten's eyes are starting to change color, she is around 6-7 weeks old.The irises will transition to their permanent, mature color at this time.If the kitten is growing into a mature, blue-eyed cat, you won't be able to observe any color change to determine its age.
Step 3: Take a look at the kitten's ears.
In the early stages of development, a kitten's ears go through changes.You may be able to determine the age of a younger kitten by looking at its ears.She is probably less than a week old if her ears are stuck close to her head.The ears of baby kittens are flattened against the head because of their ear canals being closed.At between 5 and 8 days of age, a kitten's ears will open up.The kitten's ears should pop up.The kitten's ears will take a while to open.It takes longer for the ears to pop up when the closed ear canals are open.Between the second and third week of your kitten's life, the ears will pop up.
Step 4: The kitten's baby teeth should be looked at.
A good way to assess the age of kittens is to check their teeth.A kitten with no teeth is younger than 2 weeks of age.You can still estimate the age if the teeth are present.The first baby teeth should be pushed through the gums around 2 or 3 weeks of age.The incisors will be the first teeth to come through.If you don't see the teeth, you can gently feel the kitten's gums.The canines grow at 3-4 weeks of age.The long and pointed teeth grow next to the incisors.The premolars break through the gum at 3-6 weeks.The teeth that grow between the teeth are called premolars.If all of the kitten's baby teeth are present, she should be around four months of age.She should have at least 6 incisors in the top and bottom jaw, and 2 canines on both sides of the last one.
Step 5: The adult teeth should be checked.
If you find adult teeth in a kitten, it is four months or older.You should be able to get a good idea of a kitten's age based on when her adult teeth come in, even if the timing of the teeth is less precise in an older kitten.The first adult incisor teeth come in around 4 months.Between 4 and 6 months, baby teeth are replaced by adult teeth.If your kitten has all of her adult teeth, she is at least 7 months old.Medical issues or accidents can cause teeth to be missing or come in late, so be aware that these guidelines are based on normal, healthy kittens.
Step 6: The kitten needs to be weighed
Due to differences in size and breed, the weight can be a factor that gives you more information about your kitten's age..A healthy kitten gains about a quarter ounce per day after being born.A normal kitten will weigh between 3.5 and 5.25 ounces in its first week of life.A kitten weighing less than 3.5 ounces may be sick.The kitten should be taken to a vet for an evaluation.A normal kitten will be smaller than a human's hand at 1 to 2 weeks.When they are 1-2 weeks old, most kittens will weigh between 6 and 8 ounces.The kitten is likely to be around 4-5 weeks old.A kitten can weigh between 1.5 and 2 pounds.The average cat will weigh one pound per month until it reaches 10 pounds.A 3-pound cat is likely to be 3 months old, and a 4- pound cat will be 4 months.The rule of thumb is for cats over 12 weeks of age to reach their adult weight, which is about 10 pounds for most cats.
Step 7: The kitten should be monitored for signs of maturity.
The step only applies to kittens that are still with their mothers.The mother won't allow her kitten to nurse for 3-6 weeks after its birth.Her milk starts to dry up.The kitten is about 7 weeks old if the mother has stopped giving it milk.Mother cats will no longer allow her kittens to nurse after 7 weeks.The kitten tries to approach its mother to nurse, but is rejected and swatted away.For longer periods of time, a kitten will leave her mother more frequently and for more adventurous exploration.
Step 8: You can watch the kitten move.
A kitten's ability to walk can indicate her age.Until they reach 2 to 4 weeks of age, kittens are unable to stand or walk.They spend their time snuggling up to their mother and siblings.When a kitten needs to move in the first few weeks, she does a belly-crawl.Your kitten is around 2 weeks old when you walk it.She is likely older than 3 weeks if she is beginning to look confident in her ability to walk.During the next 3-4 weeks, a kitten will demonstrate the ability to turn in mid-air and land on their feet.The kitten will be able to explore its environment around 4 weeks of age.Increased mobility will make it curious and playful.The kittens of this age will show pouncing behavior.A kitten is at least five weeks old.
Step 9: Look at 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.An age of 3.5 weeks is indicated by the response to external stimuli.
Step 10: Think about confidence and playful behavior.
The fifth and sixth weeks of a kitten's life are when it will be more confident.It is due to its growing coordination and mobility.A kitten of this age will be more adventurous than a younger one.A kitten should be mobile by 7 weeks.She will enjoy running around, playing with humans and other pets, and exploring higher spaces by practicing her jumping motions.
Step 11: There are some signs of puberty that you should look for.
Changes in hormones cause kitten behavior to change at around 4 months.The kittens of this age meow loudly at night and try to escape the house.The kitten is starting to go through puberty.
Step 12: Continue to watch for signs of continued sexual maturity.
A kitten is going through its teenage years at 3-6 months.A cat of this age will lose its plumpness and develop a sleeker body as it gains weight.Male kittens may scent mark to attract females to mate.Between 4 and 6 months, female kittens may begin going into heat.scent marking and loud yowling are involved.
Step 13: Thejuvenile stage is what you should identify.
There are kittens 7 months or older that are larger in size and sexually mature.If a female cat is not fixed, she can become pregnant.Increased aggression comes along with sexual maturity.At around 6 months, kittens begin to challenge other cats for dominance.Young kittens bite more often than older cats.When handling cats from the juvenile age group, take care as cat bites tend to occur a lot.
Step 14: Ask the person or agency who you are adopting from.
Good agencies and breeders have good records of their kittens and will be able to give a close guess.The best estimate they can give is if they did not witness the birth.Even if a shelter gets a kitten after its birth, they have experienced staff and veterinarians who can give professional estimates.
Step 15: Ask a physician.
Ask the vet for an educated estimate of the kitten's age when you take it for its first veterinary exam.Your vet will advise you on the tests and vaccines your kitten will need to lead a healthy life.