Newborn kittens seem like something quite magical. They are small, delicate, and entirely helpless and reliant upon their mother. Having ever looked at a litter, but a few hours old, you would not fail to have noticed at a glance that their eyes are tightly closed. It may be somewhat awkward, particularly if you are new to taking care of cats. Why are they born that way? But, more to the point, what is the time the kittens open their eyes?
We have to go back to the beginning to know that.
Newborn kittens are born in a so-called altricial condition. They are simply underdeveloped when they are born, so to speak. Kittens are born blind, without hearing, and almost helpless, unlike animals like foals or calves, which are able to stand within a few hours. They are totally dependent on their mother to provide warmth, food, and protection.
The First 24 Hours in the Life of a Kitten
The first 24 hours of a kitten are very crucial. I hope that you have ever attended a birth, and then you can imagine how quickly everything is going. One minute the kitten is in the world, and the next it is squirming, crying, and trying to find its mother.
The last thing during this first period is survival. Born with their eyes and ears closed. Their physical size is small- the weight of their bodies can be 3-5 ounces. In order to put that into perspective, that is approximately the weight of a deck of cards. They are not able to control their body temperature; this is why they entirely depend on the warmth of their mother and the body heat of their littermates.
You may be aware that they appeal to their sense of smell within a short time. Although their eyes are shut, they know where to go to their mother’s belly to suckle. This is the first milk referred to as colostrum, which is full of antibodies. It acts as their initial immunity booster and keeps them from illnesses.
Why are kittens born with Closed Eyes?
And when you ever saw a newborn kitten, and you thought, why is it that their eyes are closed like that? You are not the only thinking, wondering person. It feels almost mysterious. However, there is in fact a very practical explanation of why it does so, one which is reduced to biology, protection, and time.
Kittens are born when they are at one of the early stages of development, in comparison to several other mammals. In plain terminology, they come before their bodies are completed. Their brains, nerves, and sensory organs are still undergoing rapid development since their birth. Eyes, in this case, are very delicate.
The retina, the sensitive part of the eye that sees, is in the process of being formed inside those little eyelids, which are closed up. The optic nerve is yet to establish close links with the brain. In the event that such eyes were exposed to the light earlier, there might be a possibility that it would disrupt an appropriate development.
Early Formation of a Kitten and Its Comparison with Other Mammals
Kittens are not the only ones that are born deaf and dumb. Indeed, they are a part of a family of animals called altricial species. This is like puppies, rabbits, mice, and even some birds. These animals are born in an underdeveloped condition, and they need parental care at an early stage.
Then compare it with such precocial animals as deer or horses. In hours, such infants can stand and walk. Why the difference? It reduces to an evolutionary strategy.
Cats are predators. Mother cats in the wild store their litters in secure, protected areas; dens, hollow logs, or thick brush. Since the kittens are secure in a nest, they do not need to be active or alert to their surroundings at the moment. Rather, their bodies focus on the development of the brain once born. And also, interestingly, the size of cat brains in proportion to the body size is very large.
When Do Kittens Open Their Eyes?
When do the kittens open their eyes, then?
The majority of the kittens start opening their eyes after the age of 7-14 days. It will take an average of 10 days before the first tiny slits start to appear. But here then is the significant thing–there is variety. Others can begin as early as day 6 or 7. Two weeks may be closer to others. Both may be entirely normal.
The process does not take place overnight. It’s gradual.
The first one is that the corners of the eyelids are slightly parted at their inner corners. It can resemble a slit of light breathing through. During the 24-48 hours, the eyes gradually open up. One eye opens up before the other sometimes. That’s normal too.
| Age | Development Milestone |
| 0–3 days | Eyes fully sealed |
| 4–6 days | Eyelids remain closed, internal development continues |
| 7–10 days | Eyes begin to crack open |
| 10–14 days | Eyes fully open, but visionis still blurry |
| 3–4 weeks | Vision improves significantly |
The Average Timeline: A Closer Day-by-Day Breakdown
It seems nearly as though time-lapse photography to see a kitten develop over the course of those initial two weeks. Things develop quickly- as quickly as overnight. When you have a litter, it may be that you check every day, and you ask yourself, Is it the day? While walking through, we would like to slow it down and discuss what usually occurs.
From Day 1 to Day 14
The kittens are totally reliant during Days 1 to 3. Their eyes are tightly shut, and nursing and sleeping are the major activities they engage in. You can see the little twitch movements when you sleep – that is the development of the nervous system. It is hard work behind the scenes with their bodies.
Days 4 to 6. Is there a slight change? Their bodies become stronger, and they can wiggle more intentionally to the mother. The eyelids remain closed; however, the tissues under are developing. Although it is impossible to notice the improvement externally, development inside occurs at a full pace.
During Days 7-10, it becomes exciting. The eyelids start to part a little. It is not dramatic, just a little cut, usually beginning at the inner corner. Other kittens close one eye, then the other eye later. It has no coordinated opening across the litter. Every kitten is running on its biological clock.
During Days 10-14, the eyes of the majority of kittens are open. Nevertheless, they are still blind. Highlight is not comfortable, thus it is important that the nesting place be softly lit.
Why does this or That Kitten Opens Its Eyes earlier or later?
Not every cat is raised on the same development manual. In case you happen to have a litter on which one of those little adventurers breaks open his eyes on day 7, and his brother does it on day 13, calm down. Variation is normal.
Timing may be affected by several factors:
- Genetics
- Breed
- Overall health
- Birth weight
- Environmental conditions
The kittens will grow at slightly different rates, just as not all human babies are walking at 9 months and others at 14 months.
Breed Differences
Some breeds are characterized by minor differences in the rate of development. As an example, the kittens of the Siamese breed occasionally open their eyes a little bit earlier than normal. Conversely, bigger or long-haired breeds might go through a slower schedule. These variations are often slight, not in weeks, but in days, but they can be felt when you are attentively watching.
Health and Environmental Factors
Health plays a major role. A healthy, well-developed kitten is likely to have consistent growth. Delayed milestones can occur in case a kitten is underweight or having a problem nursing. Temperature matters too. Kittens confined under stress-free conditions at all times in a constantly warm environment will grow more easily. Subway conditions, such as cold or stress, may have an insidious effect on growth.
What Gets to the Kittens When They First Open Their Eyes
It almost seems like a kind of ceremony when a kitten opens its eyes. Today, they are small, closed-off creatures who explore the world by smell and touch. The following is a thin strip of blue that is glaring back at you. But what is actually going on in that transition?
To begin with, there is a need to realize that opening does not imply being fully operational. At first, the vision of kittens is very low when their eyes open. Everything is blurry. The light is glaring and excessive. Form is an indistinct shadow and not an object. It is sort of like being half-awakened when one has foggy goggles and is underwater; that is something like the vision of the eyes of the early kitten.
Eye Color Changes Over Time
Her original blue eyes can break any heart. Soft, hazy-looking, nearly smoky-looking, they put kittens in that dreamy, delicate look. However, here is the twist to it, that blue is temporary in most of the cases.
Every single kitten is born with blue eyes since melanin, which makes the eyes have color, has not been deposited in the iris yet. In infancy and in the early years of childhood, the composition of the eye causes it to scatter light so as to give out blue color. At this point, it is more physics than genetics.
At about 3 to 6 weeks of age, there is a subtle. Pigment cells begin to become active. You can see some tints of green, yellow, amber, or even copper permeating the edges of the iris. It’s not instant. The change may take a number of weeks.
Most kittens’ permanent eye color is clear by 8-12 weeks. Nonetheless, there are certain breeds, such as the Siamese or Ragdolls, that have permanently colored blue eyes because of certain genetic factors that influence the formation of pigments.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Age | Typical Eye Color Stage |
| 0–2 weeks | Cloudy blue |
| 3–5 weeks | Blue with subtle color shifts |
| 6–8 weeks | Noticeable pigment changes |
| 8–12 weeks | Permanent color is settling in |
Beyond Visual Sensations
Their eyes open, but this does not imply that sight has then become their predominant sense. As a matter of fact, the initial few weeks are more about smell and hearing in kittens, even though their eyes are open.
The formation of hearing starts at the age of 5 to 8 days before the eyes open. At first, sounds are muffled. In two weeks, kittens begin to react to sounds more specifically. A low voice or slight applause could make a little head turn. It’s subtle, but it’s progress.
Smell has been with it since it was born. That is how they find their mother to nurse them. They know her perfume even before they can see her. It’s their anchor in the world.
Adoption of Kittens Before and After Their Eyes Open
The first few weeks of a baby’s life are not cute, but rather fragile. You may be keeping a litter with his mother, or you are keeping orphaned kittens, but what you do at this stage of their lives can determine how they will live the rest of their lives healthily. It is such a big milestone when the eyes of the kittens open, but care does not happen overnight. It develops slowly, just as they do.
The priorities remain basic before their eyes open, and they are warmth, nourishment, cleanliness, and minimum disturbance. Once their eyes open, the needs still exist; however, this time, you give them a little environmental awareness and early socialization.
Temperature is critical. Babies do not have control over body heat. The nesting habitat is recommended to remain at approximately 85-90 F in the initial seven days, nd this slowly reduces to approximately 75-80 F in the fourth week. Or too cold, and they may become retarded. Excessively hot and away they get dehydrated.
Here’s a quick care checklist:
- Keep bedding clean and dry
- Weigh kittens after each day to have a constant growth.
- Watch for swelling or discharge.
- Avoid forcing milestones
- Create a stress-free environment.
Observing Hygiene and Eye Health
At the very moment when kittens open their eyes, one can be easily preoccupied with the cuteness of these creatures. However, it is not only a pretty milestone age but also a crucial period when eye health should be observed. Her little eyes are still growing, still delicate, and still fragile.
Properly newly opened eyes must look:
- Light blue (initially), slightly cloudy.
- Free of thick discharge
- Not swollen or bulging
- Moist, and not crusted down.
The light moisture is normal. Discharge is not thick, yellow, or green. The eyelids or too much squinting around them may also be indications of a problem.
Development Milestones After Eyes Open
It seems to me that when people open their eyes, the kitten opens its eyes, and that is the start of it all, and it is, in a sense. During the following weeks, the growth is very dramatic. Survival is no longer a matter of survival. It’s about exploration.
Learning to Walk and Explore
At approximately 2-3 weeks, kittens start trying to get on their feet. Initially, it is clumsy and clumsy. Their legs splay out. They tip over. They resemble miniature, disoriented adventurers trying the concept of gravity.
The vision and the coordination co-develop. With the sharpening of their eyesight, their confidence increases. After 4 weeks, the majority of kittens have sufficient stability to walk and begin exploring outside the nest.
You’ll notice:
- A few bouts of fumbling running.
- Sniffing inquisitively into novel things.
- Efforts to mount low surfaces.
This phase involves a secure condition. Block off stairs. Remove small hazards. Make the room enclosing, yet rich.
Socialization and Play Behavior in Early Years
At 3-5 weeks, the kittens begin a so-called magic window of social development. Their eyes are open. Their hearing is sharp. The interest they show is insatiable.
The play turns into their classroom.
They wrestle siblings. They bat at tails. They lunge at fictitious targets. These are not spontaneous displays of cuteness, but practices of being an adult. It is play that gives them hunting, coordination, control of bites, and communication.
Keep interactions:
- Short
- Gentle
- Positive
- Free from loud stressors
- At 6-8 weeks, the personalities begin to come out clearly.
Transitioning to Solid Food
At approximately 4 weeks of age, the kittens start to wean gradually out of milk and into solid food. Although their eyes have long since been open by this time, this step takes us to the early development. Good vision and coordination enable them to be able to find the food dishes and learn eating habits.
Start with:
- Soft, wet kitten food
- Blended with kitten food to make gruel.
- Dishes are easy to get in and out of.
- At first, they may step into it. Sit in it. Wear it. That’s normal. Learning takes time.
In 6 to 8 weeks, the majority of the kittens are able to consume solid kitten food on their own. They have a fast maturation of the digestive system.
Conclusion
When do kittens open up their eyes, then? Most are between 7 and 14 days old. But as you can see, that is only the beginning of a longer trip.
Being born with closed eyes is no sin–it is a defence. They can never be opened with a swift understanding but with a gradual awakening. The process, though, with its pains and difficulties, is reflective of the prudent step of nature itself to blurry blue beginnings and bright, sharp vision.
Kittens grow best with the warmth, patience, and close observation, whether they are nursing by their mother or are in the hands of loving humans. No rushing. No forcing. They should be given the steady support as they develop into the inquisitive little creatures who are exploring the world as new faces.
And honestly? There is never boredom when it occurs.
FAQs
1. Do they open their eyes at the age of 5 days?
It’s rare. The majority of kittens open their eyes in the period of 7 to 14 days. The opening of 5 days would be too early and should be checked.
2. Is it necessary to clean the eyes of my kitten every day?
Only when it is visible to discharge. Good eyes should never need to be washed on a daily basis; they simply need to be checked.
3. What if only one eye opens?
That’s normal. The latter eye is likely to open in 24-48 hours.
4. Are all kitten eyes blue in the beginning?
Yes, most of the kittens are born with blue eyes because they have low amounts of melanin. Later on, permanent color is developed.
5. Should it be wrong to play with kittens when their eyes are not yet open?
Minimum, light handling is all that is needed, but not excessive contact within the first two weeks.