Growth of Newborn Kittens

Physical Development

• Newborn kittens don't have any teeth, but they begin to appear in the first three weeks of life. Kittens that are well cared for by their mother should gain about half an ounce of weight every day, and can easily double their weight in the first week. In the first few weeks there is often low-key scuffling among the litter-mates for dominance, with some kittens learning that they are bigger and stronger than their siblings, as well as learning how to use this to their advantage. In some kittens -- particularly Siamese cats -- the kittens do not begin to show their adult colors for several weeks.

Senses

• Newborn kittens aren't able to smell very well and don't even start developing the keen sense of smell adult cats are known for until they are about two weeks old. At first they rely on touch to keep themselves oriented toward their mother, as they are also born blind. When kittens are first born their eyes are closed and their ears are folded. It can take up to two weeks for their eyes to open, and it isn't unusual for one eye to open days before the other. The ears take a little longer to fully develop, not standing upright until up to three weeks after the kitten's birth. They are able to detect sounds early on, but it can be several weeks before they are able to pinpoint exactly where those sounds are coming from.

Emotional Growth

• Newborn kittens rely on their mother for everything, including learning where boundaries are when it comes to dealing with their siblings and other cats. The mother should put an end to any roughhousing before any of her delicate kittens get hurt. The mother should also teach them the proper way to use the litter box -- kittens left with their mother are usually litter trained by the time they are a few weeks old. Newborn kittens excrete with a help from mother, who stimulates their systems by licking them. Kittens don't purr when they are newborns, but they soon pick it up from their mother.

Needs

• Newborn kittens get everything they need from their mother, from nutrition and healthy bacteria in her milk to lessons in purring. Occasionally a mother will reject a kitten, and it is possible for them to be raised by hand even if they are pushed out of the family circle at birth. Newborn kittens need a specific kind of milk replacement formula designed specifically for their needs. In addition to food, they will need to be kept warm as they cannot regulate their own internal temperatures yet, or their blood sugar. Routine is key to successfully raising a newborn kitten to an age where they are finally beginning to negotiate their surroundings on their own.