Newborn kittens are among the most delicate animals you can care for. During the first week of life, everything from their temperature to their ability to nurse depends entirely on their mother or their human caregiver if they are orphaned. Understanding exactly what happens during these first seven days helps you protect their health, support normal development, and quickly identify early warning signs.

This guide walks you through physical changes, daily behavior, essential care, feeding, mother-cat support, and critical red flags to watch for.

Physical Development of a Newborn Kitten

Newborn kittens enter the world extremely underdeveloped compared to many other mammals. Their first week focuses on survival, warmth, feeding, and slow neurological growth.

Birth Weight, Size & Appearance

• Average birth weight: 85–115 grams (3–4 ounces), depending on breed and litter size.
• Body is tiny, fragile, and covered in a thin coat of fur.
• Skin may appear pinkish or reddish, especially around paws and nose.
• Limbs are weak, with minimal muscle tone.

Healthy kittens should gain 10–15 grams per day, doubling their birth weight by day 7.

Eyes & Ears Closed Timeline

• Eyes: Fully closed at birth and should NOT be forced open.
  • They usually begin to open between 7–10 days, so during week one they remain shut.
• Ears: Folded tightly and sealed.
  • They start to open around 5–8 days, with hearing beginning around the end of week one.

Umbilical Cord Development

The umbilical cord stump:

• Appears dried and shriveled at birth
• Falls off naturally between 2–3 days
  Never pull it off; premature removal can cause infection or bleeding.

Mobility & Reflexes

Newborn kittens rely on instinctive behaviors:

• “Rooting reflex” to find nipples
• Wiggling and crawling forward using their front legs
• Limited head control
• No ability to stand or walk

By day 7, they can lift their head more confidently and may attempt small scoots toward warmth.

Normal Temperature & Environmental Needs

Kittens cannot regulate their body temperature until 3–4 weeks old.
At birth, a normal body temperature is 95–97°F (35–36°C)—lower than an adult cat.

To keep them safe:

• Ideal nest temperature:
  • Day 0–1: 85–90°F (29–32°C)
  • Day 2–7: 80–85°F (26–29°C)
• Humidity around 55–65% reduces dehydration risk.

Cold kittens cannot digest food and can enter fatal hypoglycemia within minutes.

Expected Growth by the End of Week One

A healthy kitten should:

• Have doubled its birth weight
• Be more active and vocal
• Show improved suckling strength
• Have a slightly firmer body condition
• Begin showing early ear movement as hearing develops

Behavior Changes from Day 0 to Day 7

Day 0 (Birth Day)

• Kittens cry when cold or hungry.
• Instinctively crawl toward mother’s warmth.
• Spend nearly 90% of time sleeping.

Day 1–2

• Nursing becomes more coordinated.
• Crying decreases if temperature and feeding are stable.
• They form a “pile” with siblings for heat.

Day 3–4

• Slight bumps in activity—more head wobbles and rooting behavior.
• If disturbed, kittens squeak or chirp to alert the mother.

Day 5–6

• Ear canals begin to unseal.
• Kittens may respond faintly to vibrations or muffled sounds.

Day 7

• Attempt small crawling motions.
• Become slightly more vocal during feeding times.

Healthy vs. Concerning Behavior

Healthy:

• Sleek body, warm to touch
• Strong suckling
• Minimal crying once fed
• Daily weight gain

Concerning (seek veterinary care):

• Constant crying
• Body cold or cool paws
• No interest in feeding
• Weak or floppy body tone
• Failure to gain weight
• Hard, bloated abdomen
• Difficulty breathing

Essential Health & Daily Care Requirements

The first week requires hour-by-hour attention—especially for orphaned kittens.

Temperature Regulation

Newborns cannot shiver to warm up.

Safe heat options:

• Heating pad on LOW (wrapped in a towel)
• Hot water bottle wrapped in fabric
• Heated nursery incubator (best option for orphan kittens)
• Warm rice socks for emergencies

Never place kittens directly on a heat source burns are extremely common.

Weight Monitoring

Use a digital kitchen scale to weigh kittens daily at the same time.

Normal gain: 10–15 grams per day
Warning signs:

• No weight gain for 24 hours
• Weight loss of any amount
• Less than 90 grams at birth (high-risk neonate)

Monitoring for Abnormal Signs

Look for:

• Pale gums (anemia)
• Blue gums (oxygen shortage)
• Diarrhea (dehydration risk)
• Vomiting
• Coughing or milk from the nose (a sign of aspiration)
• Excess gas or a firm belly
• Umbilical infection (swelling, redness, foul smell)

Stimulation for Urination & Defecation

Mother cats lick kittens to stimulate elimination.
If you are caring for orphan kittens, you must help:

• Use warm, damp cotton pads or tissue
• Gently rub the genital and anal area after every feeding
• Continue until 3–4 weeks of age

Failure to stimulate can cause constipation, bladder overfilling, and infection.

When to Seek Immediate Veterinary Care

Urgent signs:

• Refusal to nurse
• Rapid breathing or wheezing
• Continuous crying
• Temperature below 95°F (35°C)
• Bloody stools
• Seizures
• Lethargy or limpness
• Umbilical bleeding

Always consult a veterinarian promptly neonates decline quickly.

Feeding & Nutrition During the First Week

Importance of Colostrum

Colostrum is the first milk produced during the first 24 hours. It provides:

• Maternal antibodies
• Immune system protection
• Essential nutrients

If a kitten cannot nurse during this period, immunity will be weaker.

Nursing Frequency

Newborn kittens should nurse:

• Every 1–2 hours for the first 48 hours
• Every 2–3 hours through day 7

Healthy kittens fall asleep immediately after feeding.

Bottle-Feeding Orphan Kittens

Use only kitten milk replacer (KMR)—never cow’s milk.

Feeding amounts (general guideline):

• Day 0–1: 2–4 mL every 2 hours
• Day 2–3: 4–5 mL every 2–3 hours
• Day 4–7: 5–7 mL every 2–3 hours

Safe Feeding Posture

To prevent aspiration:

• Hold kitten belly down, never on back
• Use a slow-flow nipple
• Keep head slightly elevated
• Let kitten suckle at its own pace

What NOT to Feed

Avoid:

• Cow’s milk
• Goat’s milk
• Homemade formulas
• Cream, yogurt, condensed milk
• Baby formula
• Human food

These cause diarrhea, dehydration, and nutritional deficiencies.

Training & Early Development Milestones

Kittens in the first week cannot be trained their brains are still developing.

However, early instincts begin forming:

• Rooting and suckling
• Seeking warmth
• Recognizing the mother’s scent
• Limited awareness of touch and smell

Training such as litter use, solid food, socialization, and play begins around 3–4 weeks.

Caring for the Mother Cat

A healthy mother supports nearly every aspect of neonatal development.

Nutritional Needs

Nursing queens require extra calories:

• Feed kitten food (higher in protein & fat)
• Offer wet food for hydration
• Provide fresh water at all times

Monitoring Milk Production

Signs of healthy milk production:

• Kittens gaining weight
• Quiet after nursing
• Nipples not inflamed

Watch for:

• Mastitis (hot, painful mammary glands)
• Milk deficiency (kittens constantly crying)

Resting Environment

Give the mother:

• A warm, quiet nesting box
• Low lighting
• Clean bedding
• Privacy from other pets

Stress Reduction

Avoid loud noises, frequent handling, or moving the nest unnecessarily.

Maternal Antibody Transfer

Through colostrum, kittens receive immunity to:

• Common viruses
• Bacteria
• Parasites

This protection lasts until vaccination age.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much should a newborn kitten weigh?

Newborn kittens typically weigh 85–115 grams at birth. Healthy kittens should gain 10–15 grams per day, doubling their birth weight by the end of the first week.

2. Why does my newborn kitten cry?

Crying usually means the kitten is cold, hungry, or separated from the mother. Constant crying may signal illness, low milk supply, or discomfort and requires immediate attention.

3. When do baby kittens open their eyes?

Kittens keep their eyes closed for the entire first week. They normally begin opening their eyes between 7–10 days, first as small slits, then fully over several days.

4. How often should newborn kittens nurse?

Newborns should nurse every 1–2 hours for the first two days and then every 2–3 hours for the rest of the week. Orphaned kittens should follow the same schedule using kitten milk replacer.

5. Do I need to help newborn kittens pee and poop?

If the mother is present, she will stimulate elimination by licking. Orphaned kittens must be stimulated with a warm cloth after every feeding until 3–4 weeks old.

6. What is the normal temperature for newborn kittens?

Healthy newborns usually have a body temperature of 95–97°F (35–36°C). Anything below 95°F is dangerous and requires warming before feeding.

Conclusion

The first week of a kitten’s life is fragile, fast-changing, and deeply dependent on proper care. Understanding normal weight gain, behavior, temperature needs, and feeding patterns helps you protect their health and respond quickly when something seems wrong. Whether you’re caring for a mother-raised litter or a group of orphan kittens, close monitoring and gentle support make an enormous difference in survival.

If you ever notice abnormal behavior, poor nursing, or signs of illness, consult a veterinarian immediately newborn kittens can decline quickly, and early care can save lives.