Cats are one of the most common family pets and many families choose to raise their new cat from when it is a kitten. Today, our Riverside County vets talk about caring for a newborn kitten and when you can expect them to open their eyes.
Caring for and raising kittens is an adventure. You will notice that their eyes have not yet opened and that their ears may still be closed against their head. They will be unable to stand or walk, and will be helpless - but with proper love and care from their mother or caregivers, they will grow up healthy and happy.
When Can You Expect Your Kitten to Open Their Eyes?
Kittens develop at different rates depending on a variety of factors, but most newborns will open their eyes between the ages of 2 and 16 days. During this time, their vision gradually improves, though the two eyes may not fully open at the same time. Both eyes are usually dilated by 2 weeks of age, and many kittens can focus with both eyes by 3 weeks of age. All newborn kittens have blue eyes, and the color will change as the kitten ages, usually settling on the true color at about 8 weeks old.
How to properly care for the eyes of your newborn kitten
Kittens develop at different rates depending on a variety of factors, but most newborns will open their eyes between the ages of 2 and 16 days. During this time, their vision gradually improves, though the two eyes may not fully open at the same time. Both eyes are usually dilated by 2 weeks of age, and many kittens can focus with both eyes by 3 weeks of age. All newborn kittens have blue eyes, and the color will change as the kitten ages, usually settling on the true color at about 8 weeks old.
When you should be concerned about your newborn kitten's eyes
Newborn kittens' eyes may develop a crust that prevents them from opening. This is a common problem that can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection; yet another reason to keep your kittens' bedding and shared areas clean and sanitary is to prevent infections from recurring or spreading to littermates. If your kitten's eyes develop this matted crust, gently clean them with a cotton ball dampened with warm, clean water. Avoid soap at all costs! If your kittens' eyes do not improve or worsen, contact your veterinarian right away to ensure that they receive treatment.
How to Care For Your Newborn Kitten
Much like newborn human babies, newborn kittens spend much of their time sleeping, waking occasionally to be fed and cared for. Kittens are able to sense warmth and use their sense of smell to move toward their mother's belly and are dependent on a source of milk and warmth to aid them in their development.
Newborn kittens sleep approximately 22 hours per day, while more mature kittens and adult cats require less sleep. Your kitten's mobility will improve around the same time their teeth begin to appear; by two weeks, they will be crawling, and by four weeks, they will be able to walk, jump, and play more steadily. This is also when their capacity for mischief increases, as they are curious and adventurous - and often eager to practice climbing!
It is Crucial to Keep Your Kitten Warm
Newborn kittens can't regulate their body heat, which is part of the reason that they usually pile up near or on their mother. If your newborn kitten doesn't have a mother or littermates to keep their body temperature up, you will have to do more to help keep them warm by using something such as a heating disk in the crate or a heating pad on low heat underneath a blanket in their enclosure. You should also make a little nest out of blankets for the kitten to lay in for comfort. It's vital that you make sure that the heating pad isn't too hot by touching it with your hands and providing a comfortable place in your kitten's cage/crate that does not have a heating item so they can go there if they get too warm.
You should continue to provide your kitten with a heating source until they are about 6 weeks old because if kittens get too cold they will catch hypothermia, for this reason, their area should be kept at 85ºF or 29ºC.
Your Newborn Kitten Will need Essential Nutrients
Of course, when caring for a newborn kitten without a mother you will need to feed them and provide them with proper nutrition. You will have to bottle feed your kitten a special kitten formula every 2-4 hours. Every kitten is different, your veterinarian will be able to inform you of the best formula to use, how much to feed them, and how frequently you should be feeding your kitten. In order for kittens to grow healthily, they will need to gain approximately ½ ounce (14 grams) per day or 4 ounces (113 grams) a week. Never give your cat cow milk and always make sure you are feeding them the same formula. And, in order for your kitty to digest food properly it will have to be kept warm.
The Importance of Preventive Care for Your New Kitten
No matter how old your kitten is, it's important to take them for their first veterinary appointment when appropriate. Your veterinarian will evaluate the health of your kitten as well as inform you of their dietary needs. This also provides you with the opportunity to ask any questions you may have in regard to the care of your new family member.
It is critical to ensure that your kitten receives routine preventive care, such as wellness exams, vaccinations, and parasite prevention.
Regular wellness exams give your vet the opportunity to assess the overall health and well-being of your kitten including their dietary requirements. Your vet will also be able to detect any diseases early before they become severe when they are easier and more affordable to treat.
You also need to ensure your kitten gets all their vaccinations and parasite prevention care on schedule. Your kitten should come in for their first round of shots when they are 6 to 8 weeks old, and you should have them spayed or neutered when they are 5 to 6 months old. This prevents any serious diseases or conditions from arising in the first place.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.