Tracking Kitten Development: The First Six Weeks

Week 2: Growing and Developing

Big brave kitten hisses at unfamiliar scent

Franny Syufy

• Your kitten is continuing his growth at an astonishing rate, by at least 10 grams per day. The mother cat should be fed a quality kitten food to help replenish the nutrients she will lose through nursing.
• His eyes will start to open and will be completely open at 9 to 14 days old. All kittens' eyes are blue, and will remain so for several weeks. Their vision will be blurred at first, and their pupils don't dilate and contract readily, so they should be kept from bright lights.
• The kitten's sense of smell is developing, and he will seek out his favorite teat by scent. He will even hiss at unfamiliar odors, as the photo depicts.
• He will become more aware of his littermates as his senses develop.

• Most Important Weeks in a Cat's Life
• Week 1: Tiny Food Processing Factories
• Week 2: Growing and Developing
• Week 3: Awareness is Developing
• Week 4: Standing and Wobbling
• Week 5: Starting the Weaning Process
• Week 6: Socialization in Full Swing
• Almost Time to Go Home