Newborn Kitten Eye Opening Timeline: When Do They See?
When kittens are born, they typically measure between 11 to 15 centimeters in length and weigh from 70 to 135 grams. Newborn kittens have not yet opened their eyes and their ears are folded back, rendering them blind and deaf. They are unable to walk and rely entirely on their mother for survival. It takes approximately eight weeks for kittens to become independent and start living on their own.
The general progression of a kitten's development is as follows: kittens begin to open their eyes between 5 to 10 days old, but it takes another 8 to 20 days for their eyes to fully open. The color of their eyes is usually grayblue, and this early color begins to change around 12 weeks, settling into their permanent hue. They start to crawl between 16 to 20 days, can walk by 21 to 25 days, run by 4 to 5 weeks, and grow their first teeth between 3 to 4 weeks. They start eating solid food, and training for bathroom habits can begin. By 8 weeks, all their milk teeth have grown in, and they are fully weaned. Permanent teeth emerge between 12 to 18 weeks.
It's important to note that if a kitten does not open its eyes, there is usually a reason. Identifying the cause is crucial for proper treatment:
1. Newborn kittens naturally have their eyes closed. It is normal for kittens to gradually open their eyes between 5 to 14 days after birth. During this period, it is not advisable to forcibly open a kitten's eyes or to assume that the kitten has an eye condition and apply medication. Any such intervention is incorrect. The best course of action for the owner is to ensure the kitten's proper diet and care, and to wait for the eyes to open naturally.
2. If a kitten has excessive tears or thick eye discharge, it can stick to the eyes, preventing them from opening. Mother cats often use their tongues to clean around the kitten's eyes, allowing them to open their eyes after a few days. However, if a kitten is separated from its mother at birth, owners can gently clean the eyes with a cotton ball or gauze dipped in chloramphenicol eye drops, diluted with warm water. After cleaning, apply a thin layer of erythromycin ointment to the eyelids. This should be done several times a day, but patience is key, as the kitten will naturally open its eyes.
3. Conjunctivitis, known as "liver wind heat" in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, or "red eye," is often caused by external factors like wind heat or dry, hot weather, leading to heat accumulation in the heart and lungs, which then spreads to the eyes. Symptoms include swollen eyelids, increased eye discharge, and the eyelids sticking together. In such cases, it is important to provide the kitten with a warm, wellventilated, and clean sleeping area, and to feed them at regular intervals. The environment should be neither too hot nor too dry, ensuring the kitten grows up comfortably and happily.
In this particular case, the kitten has not yet opened its eyes but is still within the normal range for eye opening. Therefore, the owner should not be anxious and should not force the kitten's eyes open by hand, as this can cause harm due to the strong light. If the kitten has symptoms of excessive tearing, gently wipe the corners of its eyes with a cotton ball soaked in warm water, several times a day, and wait for the eyes to open naturally.
