Kitten care changes week by week
What a kitten needs shifts dramatically with every few weeks of age. The bottle-feeding stage before one month demands round-the-clock care - and if you have rescued a kitten, the right knowledge is life-or-death. This guide covers newborn to four months.
Week-by-week / month-by-month guide
0-4 weeks: formula and warmth are everything
Eyes open around day 10; newborns cannot excrete unaided or regulate body temperature. Without a mother cat, you do it all.
- Formula: kitten milk only - cow's milk causes diarrhoea. Feed every 2-3 hours (nights included) until 2 weeks Find kitten formula Find nursing bottles
- Warmth: about 30°C in week one, around 28°C after; use a pet heater or hot-water bottle under a blanket Find pet heaters
- Toileting: after each feed, gently stimulate with a warm damp cotton pad
- Daily weighing: about +10g per day signals health Find scales
4-8 weeks: weaning and litter box debut
Emerging teeth signal weaning: start with formula-soaked gruel and reduce the moisture step by step. Set out a shallow tray of litter and most kittens teach themselves.
- Weaning food 4-5 times a day Find weaning food
- Littermate play builds social skills; introduce gentle human handling
- First combination vaccine at around 8 weeks
2-3 months: the classic homecoming age
Weaning is complete and most kittens join their new family now. Hiding at first is normal - a quiet room and patience win (see Preparing for a Cat).
- Kitten dry food, 3-4 meals a day Find kitten food
- Second combination vaccine 3-4 weeks after the first
- Several 10-minute play sessions daily; wand toys exercise hunting moves and build trust
3-4 months: adult teeth and wider ranging
Adult teeth come in and chewing urges rise, while agility leaps ahead - kittens now reach places you did not expect. Finish your swallowing-hazard and escape-proofing work by this stage (Escape Prevention & Pet-Proofing).
- Neutering is commonly done around 6 months - raise it with your vet before the first heat
- Scratching habits set now: offer several scratchers and watch for material preferences Find scratchers
Weight guide
| Age | Typical weight |
|---|---|
| Birth | around 100g |
| 1 month | 400-500g |
| 2 months | 800g-1kg |
| 3 months | 1-1.5kg |
| 4 months | 1.5-2kg+ |
Individuals vary - the practical use of this table is spotting stalled or falling weight, which warrants a vet visit.
What NOT to do with a kitten
- Give cow's milk - lactose intolerance causes diarrhoea; use kitten formula
- Bathe it - hypothermia risk at this age; clean with a warm damp towel instead
- Play with your hands - the main cause of adult biting habits
- Leave string or rubber bands around - classic swallowing accidents that can end in surgery
- Let it outside or meet other animals before vaccination - infection risk is highest now
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Frequently asked questions
Can kittens drink cow's milk?
No. Cats cannot digest the lactose and get diarrhoea, which drains a kitten fast. Always use commercial kitten formula.
I found a kitten - what first?
Warmth first (a blanket and a warm bottle), then a vet as soon as possible: age check, infection and parasite screening and feeding guidance in one visit.
How do I litter train a kitten?
Place a shallow tray of litter in a quiet spot and set the kitten in it after meals. Most learn within days. Never scold misses; just clean thoroughly so no smell remains.
When can a kitten stay home alone?
From about 2-3 months, once fully weaned, half a day is realistic. For a full day or more, arrange a human check rather than relying on an auto feeder alone.
When should neutering happen?
Commonly around 6 months, ideally before the first heat for the strongest health benefits. Timing varies by build, so discuss it during a vaccine visit.
Should I stop play biting?
Yes. Hand-play in kittenhood becomes real biting in adulthood. Stop the game the moment teeth touch skin and swap in a toy, every time.