You’ve found a tiny kitten alone outside, or you’ve adopted one with no background information. The first question that pops into your mind is simple—but important: how to tell how old a kitten is. Without knowing its age, it’s hard to know what to feed it, whether it needs bottle feeding, when to schedule vaccinations, or if it’s old enough to be adopted or spayed.
Age matters because kittens develop incredibly fast. A kitten that’s two weeks old needs entirely different care than one that’s six weeks old. Feeding methods, body temperature regulation, social needs, and medical care all depend on age. Guessing wrong can lead to serious health issues.
Most guides give you a basic kitten age chart and move on. This article goes further. You’ll learn a walkable, repeatable method using physical signs, behavior, weight, and teeth—plus guidance for estimating the age of older kittens and even adult cats. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to make the best care decisions, even if you’re a first-time rescuer.
The 5 Physical Signs You Can Use to Judge a Kitten’s Age
Instead of guessing, use this five-part checklist. When combined, these signs give a surprisingly accurate estimate of a kitten’s age.
Eyes
A kitten’s eyes tell you a lot. Newborn kittens have closed eyes. Around 7–10 days, their eyes begin to open and are always blue at first. Eye color usually starts changing around 6–7 weeks, settling into adult color by about 8 weeks.
Ears
Ear position is one of the fastest visual clues. Newborns have folded, sealed ears. By week two, ears begin unfolding. Fully upright ears usually mean the kitten is at least 3 weeks old.
Teeth
Teeth follow a reliable schedule. Very young kittens have no teeth at all. Tiny incisors appear first, followed by canines, then a full set of baby teeth. Teeth are one of the best ways to estimate a kitten’s age, especially under six months.
Body Size and Weight
Weight is the most underused but most reliable indicator. Healthy kittens gain weight steadily every week. Even without a scale, comparing size to known ranges helps narrow age quickly—especially useful for shelters and rescuers.
Approximate Weight Guide (Birth–8 Weeks)
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Newborn: 75–150 g
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2 weeks: 250–350 g
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4 weeks: 450–550 g
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8 weeks: 750–950 g (about 2 lbs)
Behavior and Mobility
Behavior often confirms physical signs. Newborns sleep constantly and can’t stand. By three weeks, kittens wobble and explore. By six to eight weeks, they’re running, playing, and using the litter box independently.
Now let’s walk through exactly what each of these signs looks like at every stage.
Week-by-Week Kitten Development Guide
This week-by-week breakdown combines physical traits, behavior, and weight into an easy-to-follow guide.
Newborn (0–1 week)
Eyes are closed, ears are folded, and the kitten fits in your palm. Movement is limited to squirming and nursing.
Weight: 75–150 g at birth, often doubling by week one.
Week 2 (8–14 days)
Eyes begin opening and appear cloudy blue. Ears start unfolding. The kitten may attempt wobbly crawling.
Weight: 250–350 g.
Week 3 (15–21 days)
Tiny incisors emerge. Ears are upright. The kitten begins standing and taking its first steps, showing curiosity.
Weight: 350–450 g.
Week 4 (22–28 days)
Canine teeth appear. Walking becomes confident. Play behavior starts, including pouncing and batting.
Weight: 450–550 g.
Weeks 5–6
A full set of baby teeth is present. The kitten begins weaning onto wet food. Eye color may start changing from blue.
Weight: 550–750 g.
Weeks 7–8
All baby teeth are in. The kitten is fully weaned, active, and coordinated. Eye color is permanent.
Weight: 750–950 g (about 2 lbs). Ready for adoption.
Quick Reference Weight Callout:
Birth: 75–150 g → 4 weeks: ~500 g → 8 weeks: ~900 g
This kitten development stages guide is far more accurate when weight, teeth, and behavior are used together rather than alone.
How to Tell a Kitten’s Age by Its Teeth
Many people search specifically for how to tell how old a kitten is by teeth, and for good reason—dental development follows one of the most predictable timelines in early feline growth. When other signs like size or behavior seem unclear, a quick look inside the mouth can often provide the most reliable age estimate for kittens under six months.
Here’s the typical tooth progression in plain language:
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No teeth: Birth to under 3 weeks. The gums are smooth and pink, and the kitten relies entirely on nursing.
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Baby incisors: Around 3 weeks. These are the tiny front teeth and are usually the first to appear.
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Baby canines: Around 4 weeks. Long, needle-like fangs begin to emerge on either side of the incisors.
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Full set of baby teeth: Around 5–6 weeks. Premolars fill in, giving the kitten a complete baby set.
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Adult teeth replacing baby teeth: Around 3.5–4 months. You may notice gaps where teeth have fallen out, or see adult teeth erupting behind baby ones.
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Full adult set: By about 6 months, all permanent teeth are in place.
Baby teeth are noticeably small, very sharp, and almost translucent at the tips. Adult teeth are thicker, more solid, and less needle-like. If a kitten appears playful and energetic but has missing teeth, it’s often in the normal teething phase around four months—not a sign of injury.
In older kittens and adult cats, tooth condition becomes more informative than eruption. Bright white, sharp teeth usually indicate a young adult cat. Yellowing, tartar buildup, and worn or flattened tips suggest a cat is moving into middle age or senior years. While teeth alone are less precise after kittenhood, they remain a valuable clue when combined with eyes, coat condition, and overall body tone.
How to Tell How Old an Older or Adult Cat Is
Not everyone is caring for a tiny kitten. Many people rescue a stray, believing they need to know how to tell how old a kitten is, only to discover the cat is already an adolescent or a fully grown adult. This is where most age guides stop being helpful. While it’s harder to pinpoint an exact age in adult cats, several physical indicators can provide a reliable age range when viewed together.
Teeth
Teeth remain the most useful clue. Cats under two years old typically have clean, sharp, bright white teeth with little to no tartar. Between 3–5 years, yellowing and tartar buildup along the gum line become common. Senior cats often show significant wear, flattened tips, receding gums, or even missing teeth. Dental condition alone isn’t exact, but it’s a strong starting point.
Eyes
Eye clarity changes subtly with age. Young cats usually have clear, bright eyes with sharp focus. Cats over 6–8 years often develop a mild bluish haze known as lenticular sclerosis. This condition doesn’t usually impair vision, but it’s a useful indicator of maturity. Cloudiness accompanied by discharge or redness may signal illness rather than age and should be checked by a vet.
Coat and Fur
A young adult cat’s coat is typically soft, smooth, and glossy. As cats age, their fur can become coarser or duller, and gray or white hairs may appear around the face, whiskers, or muzzle. Senior cats may also groom less effectively, leading to matting.
Muscle Tone and Body Condition
Younger cats tend to be lean, firm, and muscular. With age, muscle mass decreases, especially around the shoulders and hind legs. Older cats may appear bonier or develop a sagging belly despite normal weight.
For the most accurate age estimate, a veterinarian can evaluate these signs alongside blood work and overall organ health. If precision matters, a vet visit remains the gold standard.
What to Do Once You Know (or Estimate) Your Kitten’s Age
Once you’ve estimated your kitten’s age, the next steps become much clearer. Each developmental stage comes with specific care needs, and acting appropriately can make a significant difference in a kitten’s health and long-term development.
Under 4 weeks old:
Kittens this young are completely dependent on human care. They require bottle feeding every 2–4 hours using kitten milk replacer—never cow’s milk. They also cannot regulate their body temperature, so a constant heat source, such as a heating pad (set on low and covered with a towel), is essential. After each feeding, they must be gently stimulated to urinate and defecate, mimicking a mother cat’s care. If you’re unsure or overwhelmed, contact a local rescue or veterinarian immediately, as this age range is the most fragile.
4–8 weeks old:
This is the transition stage. Kittens can begin eating soft or wet kitten food while still nursing or bottle feeding. Litter training usually starts naturally during this period. Keeping kittens with their littermates helps them learn important social and bite-inhibition skills. A veterinary visit should be scheduled to assess health, begin deworming, and plan upcoming vaccinations.
8 weeks and older:
Kittens are typically fully weaned and ready for adoption. This is the ideal time to start core vaccinations and discuss spay or neuter timing with your vet. Continued socialization through play and gentle handling is crucial.
Any age:
Regardless of age, book a veterinary appointment within the first week of care. Knowing the kitten’s age transforms uncertainty into a clear, confident care plan—and gives your kitten the best possible start.
Final Thoughts
The best way to estimate age is to use eyes, ears, teeth, weight, and behavior together. For kittens under eight weeks, the week-by-week guide is your most reliable tool. For older cats, teeth and coat condition provide strong clues, but a vet can give the most accurate assessment.
If you’re nervous, that’s normal—many readers are first-time rescuers doing their best. With patience and the right information, you’re already giving that kitten a better start in life.
FAQs
1. Can a vet tell a cat’s exact age?
No, but vets can give a close estimate, especially for kittens. Blood work helps with older cats.
2. What if my kitten’s development seems delayed
Some variation is normal. Significant delays should be checked by a veterinarian.
3. How accurate is judging age by teeth alone?
Very accurate under six months. Less reliable for adult cats without other signs.
4. Is it safe to separate a kitten from its mother before 8 weeks?
No. Kittens need their mother for social and immune development.
5. Can nutrition affect growth rate?
Yes. Poor nutrition can slow growth and make kittens appear younger than they are.
