Newly Adopted Kitten Care Plan

Almost every mistake people make with a young kitten traces back to guessing the age wrong. A four-week-old and an eight-week-old need completely different things, and only one of them can survive on solid food. So we start here — and we check for the emergencies first, because with kittens this small, hours matter.

How old is the kitten, as best you can tell?

If you're guessing, use the body instead of the size — a runt can be twice the age it looks. Eyes sealed shut: under 10 days. Eyes open but cloudy blue, ears still folded down: 1–2 weeks. Ears up, wobbling around, tiny needle teeth coming in: 3–4 weeks. Running, pouncing, eating some solid food: 5–6 weeks. Confident, fully weaned, using a litter box: 8 weeks or more.

Under 1 week — eyes still closed1–2 weeks — eyes just opening, ears still folded2–4 weeks — eyes open, wobbly, first teeth4–6 weeks — walking well, starting to try solid food6–8 weeks — eating solids, using a litter box8 weeks or olderI honestly don't know

Right now, today — is any of this true? Check everything that applies.

Be honest here rather than hopeful. These are the signs that change what you should do in the next hour.

Cool or cold to the touch — ears, paws, or belly feel cooler than your handNot eating — refusing the bottle, or turning away from foodLimp, floppy, hard to wake, or crying constantly and inconsolablyDiarrhea, vomiting, or a hard bloated bellyLabored or open-mouth breathing, or discharge from eyes or noseNone of these — warm, active, eating, and bright

Where is the mother cat?

With them and nursing — I have the whole familyNearby, but not caring for them — or actively rejecting themI found the kitten outdoors and brought it insideGone — orphaned, or separated before I got them

Age & Triage

Set Up

Track

What Happens Next