Hey friends! Have you ever looked at your little furball kitten and wondered, how do I know how old my kitten is? I feel you. Kittens are so adorable that it’s hard to believe they aren’t babies forever. But eventually, those tiny mews turn into full-grown meows. Estimating your kitten’s age can be tricky if you don’t know their exact birthdate. But never fear – with some clever detective skills, we can get a pretty good estimate. Grab your magnifying glass Watson – it’s time to do some kitten forensics!
Table of Contents
Step 1: Check their baby teeth
Kittens are born without teeth. At around 2-4 weeks old, their needle-sharp baby teeth start coming in. They’ll have all their baby teeth by about 6-8 weeks old. If your kitten has a full set of razor fangs, they’re at least 6-8 weeks old. No teeth at all? You’re looking at a newborn. Aw!
Step 2: Watch how they walk
Newborn kittens move by crawling and paddling along on their bellies. Once they hit 3-4 weeks old, they’ll start walking, although still a bit wobbly. If your kitten is moving around on all fours pretty steadily, they’re likely at least 1 month old. Stumbling like a tiny drunk sailor? Could be younger.
Step 3: See if their eyes are open
Kittens are born with their eyes closed and can’t see until around 10-14 days old. If your kitten’s peepers are open wide, it means they’ve passed the 2-week mark. Eyes still shut? You’ve got a squeaky new newborn.
Step 4: Check their ear position
At birth, a kitten’s ears are folded down. They start to perk up at around 2 weeks and should be fully upright by about 4 weeks old. If their ears stand at attention, your kitten is likely older than 1 month. Still folded? You may have a youngin’ under 4 weeks.
Step 5: Weigh them
Kittens gain around 4-8 oz per week. A very rough estimate: 1 lb = 4 weeks, 1.5 lbs = 6 weeks, 2 lbs = 8 weeks. Adult cats range from 6-12 lbs. So if your kitten is 5 lbs, they may be around 5 months old. Chunkers grow fast!
Step 6: Consider their coat. Kittens are born with fine, thin fur. At around 2 weeks, their baby fluff becomes fuller and fluffier. Adult coats start growing in around 4-5 months. If your kitten is sporting luxurious, long fur, they’re likely over 5 months old. Short, sparse fluff? Younger than 2 months.
Step 7: Check in with the vet
Your veterinarian can look at teething, weight, development, and other factors to help estimate your kitten’s age. They can also scan for a microchip or check records to see if they have information from a previous owner. Ask Dr. Vet for their expert opinion!
Estimating your kitten’s age may seem tricky, but with some simple observation and vet input, you can get a good ballpark. Remember that all kittens develop at different rates, so estimates are approximations. Regardless of their age, one thing is certain – they grow up so darn fast. Cherish every adorable kitten moment while you can! Before you know it, that tiny furball will be a full-grown cat knocking stuff off your shelves. Sigh. They grow up so fast!
FAQ: How Do I Know How Old My Kitten Is?
Here are some more potential frequently asked questions and answers about How to estimate your kitten’s age
Q: What are some signs my kitten is a newborn?
A: Newborn kittens can’t see or hear, move by crawling, have closed eyes and folded down ears, and very fine, thin fur.
Q: When do kittens get their baby teeth?
A: Kittens start getting baby teeth around 2-4 weeks old. They’ll have a full set of sharp little fangs by 6-8 weeks.
Q: Q: How can I use teeth to know how old my kitten is?
A: No teeth mean newborn. Some teeth but not a full set indicate 2-8 weeks. Full adult teeth around 6-7 months.
Q: What causes a kitten to stumble when walking?
A: Kittens under 4 weeks old stumble a lot while learning to walk. It’s normal and they gain stability over time.
Q: Do kittens’ ears stand up straight naturally?
A: Yes, kitten ears start to stand upright on their own by about 4 weeks old. Fully perked-up ears mean a kitten over 1 month.
Q: Why does my kitten’s coat look different as they age?
A: Kittens have soft fluffy kitten fur that changes to adult coats at 4-5 months old when longer guard hairs grow in.
Q: Should I take my new kitten to the vet?
A: Yes, have your vet examine new kittens as soon as possible to check their health and help estimate age based on development to know how old your kitten is.
