Welcoming newborn kittens into your home is heartwarming but demands attention, patience, and care. From feeding frequency and warmth to early vaccination, newborn kitten care during the first eight weeks is crucial for their survival and growth.
Whether you are fostering orphaned kittens or caring for a litter with a mother, understanding week-by-week kitten care will help you raise healthy, social, and well-adjusted cats.
Caring for a Newborn Kitten: Week-by-Week Guide
Raising kittens from birth to eight weeks requires consistency and the right knowledge. This complete week-by-week kitten care guide explains nutrition, warmth, and developmental milestones essential for kitten growth and wellbeing.
Caring for a Newborn Kitten: Week 1 (0–7 Days Old)
Newborn kittens are fragile and depend entirely on you for warmth, nutrition, and hygiene.
Feeding Frequency: Every 2–3 hours (including at night) using a kitten milk replacer (KMR).
Avoid cow’s milk, as it can lead to digestive upset and poor nutrition.
Temperature Maintenance: Keep kittens in a warm, quiet space with a heating pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Ideal temperature: 29°C to 32°C. Replace the heat source every 2 hours.
Nutrition for Newborn Kittens (0–4 weeks)
How to Properly Bottle Feed Newborn Kittens for Healthy Growth
Use kitten milk replacer warmed to body temperature. Hold the kitten belly-down while feeding and allow natural latching. Do not force milk flow as it may cause choking or aspiration.
Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid When Caring for Newborn Kittens
- Do not feed cow or goat milk.
- Never feed kittens while on their back.
- Always sterilize feeding bottles to prevent infection.
- Discard leftover formula after each feeding.
Warmth for Newborn Kittens
Newborn kittens cannot regulate body temperature during their first week. Maintain warmth using a heating pad or insulated bedding. Monitor for signs of hypothermia (cool body, lethargy) or overheating (panting, restlessness).
Helping Newborn Kittens with Burping and Stimulating Defecation After Feeding
After feeding, gently rub the kitten’s back to release trapped air. Then, use a warm, damp cloth to lightly stimulate the genital area to encourage them to urinate or defecate—this mimics the mother cat’s grooming.
Caring for a 2-Week Old Kitten (8–14 Days Old): Eyes Begin to Open
Two-week-old kittens start opening their eyes and developing awareness.
Nutrition Tips for Feeding and Hydrating a 2-Week Old Kitten
Feed every 3–4 hours with an increased milk replacer amount. Kittens at this stage start hydrating more effectively but still rely on formula.
How to Keep a 2-Week Old Kitten Warm and Comfortable
Reduce the temperature to 26°C–30°C. Gradually expose them to mild room temperature while keeping their bedding layered and soft.
Ensuring Proper Growth of Your New Kitten
Weigh kittens daily. A healthy gain is around 10–14 grams per day. Monitor for dehydration and consult a veterinarian for any signs of weakness.
Key Developmental Milestones for a 2-Week Old Kitten
- Eyes begin to open (usually bluish in color).
- Ears start to unfold.
- Early attempts to crawl and nuzzle.
Caring for a 3-Week Old Kitten (15–21 Days Old): Gaining Strength
Nutrition Guidelines for Feeding a 3-Week Old Kitten
Feed every 4–5 hours with milk replacer. The kittens’ appetite increases as they begin growing rapidly.
How to Maintain Proper Warmth for a 3-Week Old Kitten
Room temperature of around 26°C is ideal. They develop slight fur insulation.
Early Socialisation Tips for a 3-Week Old Kitten
Start gentle handling and short interaction periods daily to encourage human bonding and comfort.
Helping a 3-Week Old Kitten with Urination and Defecation
Most kittens start eliminating independently but may need light stimulation after feeding. Keep bedding clean and dry.
Caring for a One-Month Old Kitten (22–30 Days Old): Exploration Phase
Nutrition for a One-Month Old Kitten
Start weaning by introducing soft gruel—mix wet kitten food with milk replacer. Continue bottle feeding if required.
Warmth for a One-Month Old Kitten
Reduce external heat dependence; maintain room temperature at 24°C–26°C.
Socialisation and Play
Encourage gentle play and supervised exploration. Offer soft toys to boost motor and cognitive skills.
Litter Training a New Kitten
Introduce a shallow, non-clumping litter box. Place kittens in the litter box after feeding to develop habit formation.
Caring for a 5–6 Weeks Old Kitten: The Weaning Process
Nutrition and Feeding Tips for a 5–6 Week Old Kitten During Weaning
Gradually shift to solid food. Offer fresh water and high-quality wet kitten food.
How to Monitor the Growth and Development of a 5–6 Week Old Kitten
Regular weight checks ensure healthy progress. Contact your vet for any loss of appetite or low weight gain.
Importance of Socialisation for a 5–6 Week Old Kitten
Engage in daily playtime. Early interaction prepares kittens for adoption and reduces fear.
Deworming and Vaccination Schedule for a 5–6 Week Old Kitten
Administer the first deworming treatment and consult your vet for the initial vaccination schedule.
Caring for a 6–8 Weeks Old Kitten: Becoming Independent
Nutrition and Feeding Guidelines for a 6–8 Week Old Kitten
Kittens should now be on a full solid diet. Provide clean, fresh water and feed on a consistent schedule.
Essential Health Care Tips for a 6–8 Week Old Kitten
Plan the first vet visit for vaccinations and health checks. This is crucial for preventing early-life diseases.
Encouraging Socialisation and Building Independence in Kittens
Introduce everyday sounds and safe home environments. Avoid outdoor exposure until all vaccinations are complete.
How to Start Litter Training a 6–8 Week Old Kitten
By eight weeks, most kittens are fully litter trained. Maintain a clean litter box to support hygiene and habit retention.
Tracking Healthy Weight Gain in Kittens Week by Week
Monitor weight weekly. Healthy kittens continue steady growth through balanced feeding and hydration.
Deworming & Vaccination
Recommended Deworming Schedule for Kittens by Age
- 4–6 weeks: First deworming
- 8 weeks: Second dose
Essential Vaccinations Every Kitten Needs for Healthy Growth
- CRP vaccine (6–8 weeks)
- Rabies vaccination (as recommended by your veterinarian)
Final Care Tips
Every stage of a kitten’s development—from feeding to first vaccinations—builds the foundation for lifelong health. Keep up with vet visits, provide nutritious food, and ensure a warm, stress-free environment.
Late Weaning and Special Care
Some kittens may grow slower or remain weak even after eight weeks. Offer soft solid food, ensure hydration, and schedule an extra veterinary checkup.
With the right nutrition, warmth, and early vet visits, your kitten can thrive.
