When do kittens open their eyes and what are they able to see. All about an important event in the life of every kitten and its owner

Starting from the fifth day of life, kittens begin to open auricles, and already by the age of three weeks, the ears, rising, acquire the shape familiar to us. The eyes of cats different breeds usually open from 7 to 14 days. First, a “tear” appears in the corner of the eye, then a small slit, and now we already see the unintelligent, faded blue eyes of the baby. The same as all newborns in the world. During this period, it is very important that the kittens are in a dark place. The bright light of the day is still undesirable for them. Kittens finally begin to see clearly by the 14th day of life. If by this time the eyes have not yet opened, rinse the kitten's glued eyelids with an infusion of strong tea or a weak solution. boric acid and gently try to open your eyes.

The opening time of the eyes also depends on the duration of pregnancy. If the cat gave birth on the 68-70th day, the eyes of the kittens open earlier. Short-haired cat breeds open their eyes earlier than long-haired ones. There are also breeds whose eyes open on the 3rd-5th day (sphinxes, rexes).

Eye pigmentation begins after 3 weeks of age, by 9-12 weeks they acquire their color. But the final formation of eye color can be completed only by 6-12 months of age. Siamese kittens have intense blue eyes adolescence, on the contrary, may become more faded in the future.

From the 12th day of life, milk teeth appear in them: first the incisors, then the canines, then the premolars. At 6-8 weeks old, kittens have a mouth full of needle-sharp teeth, with which they already bite painfully at their mother during feeding. At this time, it is already necessary to control the formation of the bite of kittens. In addition, kittens can scratch the cat with their sharp claws, which have not yet been ground down by anything. They should be trimmed carefully (white dead ends) to avoid injury to the eyes of littermates and mammary glands cats.

From two to five weeks, kittens are actively involved in the processes taking place in the nest, and if before they were completely dependent on the behavior of the mother, now they simply demand to be fed.

From about the 18th day, the kittens stand on their paws and by the 21st day they begin to walk. At the age of 25 days, kittens are already oriented both by sight and by hearing. From that moment on, they try to eat from the saucer on their own. At the age of four weeks, they have independent defecation and urination.

Stages of development in the first year of life
ear canal opens 5-8 days
eyes open 7-12 days
first teeth from 12 to 21 days
they determine the direction of the sound from 13 - 16 days
they see us from the 14th day
"manicure, pedicure" from 18 days
they stand on their paws from the 18th day
they start walking from 21 to 30 days
eye pigmentation from day 21
fangs erupt from 21 days
worm prevention
(urgency) from 21 days
they are fed from 30 days
toilet training from day 30
worm prevention
(normal) 5-10 weeks
critical period
(loss of colostral immunity) from 6 to 16 weeks
first vaccination 8-12 weeks
revaccination
(according to vaccination instructions) before changing teeth
change of owner from 12-14 weeks
change of teeth
(weakening of immunity) from 3.5 to 7 months
rabies vaccine
(if necessary) from 6 months
puberty from 4 to 20 months
sterilization of a cat after 2-3 estrus
castration of a cat after 7-8 months
completed period of intensive growth (80%) 7 months

Nowadays, a cat in the house is the most common pet. She is kept not so much as a mouse catcher, but so much in order to get a pet, friend and even a new family member. And, of course, the care of the new family member lies entirely with you. When do kittens open their eyes? This is the most common cat care question, which we'll cover below.

When these tiny creatures are born, they need your protection and there are often a lot of questions, from diet to caring for them. For the first 20 days, their mother takes care of the crumbs. In doing so, remember the following:

The only thing you should do is keep the "cat's nest" clean - it can be a separate box or a cage that needs to be laid out. If the cat feels that this place is unclean or unsafe, then she herself can transfer her child to a cleaner place that you do not like. So keeping this place clean is very important. After all newborn babies are very sensitive to environment and can pick up some infectious disease.

In the cats that were born, the eyes are closed and the ear canals too, but they have great feeling smell and touch. So when do kittens open their eyes? The eyes open approximately from the 10th day after birth, and auditory organs are restored somewhere in the 2nd week of age. But it should also be remembered that it depends on the breed exact time when the eyes are opened.

Short-haired pets develop faster than long-haired ones. So, persian cats open their eyes 12-18 days after birth, and Siamese breeds and sphinxes are already on the 2-3 day of life. Eyes open gradually. Kittens up to 3 weeks of age do not yet distinguish between silhouettes, but are fully responsive to light. And at this time it is better to keep the kitten in the dark so as not to damage the pupils of the eyes.

Newborn babies always have wet eyes. This may cause various infectious diseases. The baby has a very weak immunity and therefore it is necessary to observe the hygiene of the baby. Can regularly clean the eyes with a cotton swab dipped in tea infusion, but there are also special veterinary drops for caring for the eyes of a newborn kitten. Such drops are more effective in combating various eye diseases and can help the baby at the most crucial moment of life.

Starting from 14-15 days of age, kittens begin to move, while stimulating body temperature and metabolism. For a kitten:

eyes open;
auditory canals open;
milk teeth begin to erupt.

Starting from the 4th month, the milk incisors are replaced by permanent ones.

Starting from the age of 5 weeks, the kitten can be accustomed to normal food. You can start with cat food, give in portions, crushing. Starting from the 6th week, the kitten already needs less mother's milk. So you can cut down on milk consumption. Already from 8 weeks of age the baby has a certain diet and does not require milk. You need to choose a special diet for feeding kittens. Dry food can also be included in the diet, but it should be given after moistening with water.

The development of each fluffy lump individually. We can see that some of them are more active and mobile, while some are very lazy and passive in their actions. Of course, each crumb has its own character. No need to worry about it. The eyes, as usually happens, are opened by the first kittens that appear, then, with a delay of a couple of hours to several days, the eyes of the rest open. Do not worry if the eyes do not open even after 2 weeks of age. You just need to make sure that mucus does not form under the eyelids, and when you see it, you need to wipe your eyes with a cotton swab dipped in tea.

Kittens are weighed at birth until they reach one month old every week. Usually kittens at birth weigh 90-110 g and put on weight every week 50-100 g until reaching six months of age.

Acceleration of development

From 2 weeks of age, the crumbs begin to actively develop, acquire additional skills. Mom is already starting to spend some time away from the child. And, of course, we all want our pets to grow up quickly and start eating or running on their own. Can this process be accelerated? Experts recommend every day more to pick up their pets. When you do this, the cat begins to lick it more and more intensively in order to get rid of someone else's smell. Such massage helps the baby develop faster than usual. You can also stroke the kitten more. This kind of massage also helps the development of the crumbs.

But you should also pay attention to the reaction of the mother cat. If you notice that the cat is nervous when you take the kittens in your arms, then you need to leave them alone so as not to suffer from maternal anger.

And now it's come important day: a few small lumps have appeared in your house, sleeping next to a happy mother cat. They are still weak, they are just beginning to crawl, they cannot hear or see, but they eat and sleep a lot.

There is a kitten in life milestone- eye opening. When this happens, the little one becomes much more active, more independent, tries to walk on all four legs, learns to distinguish light. IN general case kittens open their eyes 5-14 days after birth, but the exact time depends on the breed and duration of the cat's pregnancy.

Different breeds - different time

So, long-haired cats develop more slowly than short-haired ones. For example, Persian and Siberian individuals will open their eyes on the 12-18th day of life, and sphinxes, oriental, Siamese, abyssinian cats- for 2-3 days. Cornish Rex ("plush" sphinxes) become sighted at 4-7 days, while British kittens open their eyes after 7-12 days, although they are not much fluffier than Cornish, they just have a lot of soft undercoat.

The eyes open gradually, at first a small slit appears, and after a while a dull blue iris is already fully visible. Kittens up to 3 weeks old do not yet distinguish the outlines of objects, but they react to light. At this time, it is better to take care that they are in a dark place (house or box) so as not to damage the delicate pupil.

Pregnancy and development

It also depends on the period of gestation of the litter when the eyes of the kittens open. If the pregnancy lasted longer than usual (68-70 days), then the little ones can be born already seeing. open eyes at birth may not have a very good effect on future vision, since tear ducts are not working yet. There is a possibility of developing blindness or eye disease. To prevent bad consequences, you need to ensure that the membranes of the eye do not dry out and moisturize them yourself.

How to name a kitten-girl? Top Names for your cat. How to name a kitten-boy? You will find some great ideas in our article.

When to start worrying

The development of a kitten is individual. Some grow faster than others, get active and play with siblings earlier, while others seem sluggish, lazy, smaller. Each of them has its own character, and there are no deviations from the norm in this.

As a rule, the first born lump and eyes open first. The rest follow him with an interval from several hours to several days. If more than a set period has passed (more than 2 weeks), and the eyes are closed, do not start worrying - wait again. But if you notice signs of suppuration, mucus, any discharge from under the eyelids, wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in tea, and be sure to contact your veterinarian. He will appoint special solution to relieve inflammation.

Can the development process be accelerated?

Of course, all owners and mothers-cats rather want the kittens to eat and walk on their own, and not just squeak and crawl. You can spur the growth of a kitten, for this it is enough to take them in your arms from the first days of life and gently stroke them. Then the mother cat will intensively, even furiously lick each of her children in order to get rid of someone else's smell. Such a kind of "massage" helps children gain tactile experience and develop faster. You can also lightly massage and wipe the closed eyelids of the kitten yourself. According to some veterinarians, this may stimulate their discovery.

If the cat is nervous

Watch the reaction of the mother cat when you take the kitten from under her warm side. If she began to get nervous, look for a lost kitten, it is better to return it to its place so as not to suffer from righteous maternal anger. When a cat reacts sharply to the absence of a cub, think about it: maybe you should trust nature and patiently wait for everything to happen by itself.

The expression "blind kittens" has been used for a long time and denotes a weak helpless state. The first days of a born kitten not only does not see, but also does not hear. Surprisingly, with the help of touch, he finds a mother cat and a nipple with milk. When kittens open their eyes, they are cloudy and react poorly to objects. Everyone is looking forward to normal reaction on items. Then the kids become funny. Therefore, everyone is still interested in when the kids' eyes will open, and it will be possible to play with them.

Created by nature as rodent fighters, cats have become pets and family members. The appearance of offspring becomes an important event. Looking at helpless lumps, children are the first to ask a question when kittens' eyes open. It is impossible to give a definite answer. Even in the same litter, kittens open their eyes with a difference of up to 7 days. It is possible to identify the main factors that affect the period of insight of babies:

breed;
term of childbirth;
wool length.

Not the antiquity of the breed or connection with wildlife, and the length of the coat is most related to the age of the kitten, when he begins to see. The longer the coat, the longer it takes for the baby's eyes to open. Girls mature earlier than boys. But the figures are usually given as averages. In the same litter, same-sex kittens can open their eyes with a difference of 2 to 3 days. The table shows several types for a visual comparison in terms of coat length and gender.

Persians are known for their fluffy, long hair. Kittens remain blind the longest. Among hairless cats, like Sphinxes, you can find kittens that open their eyes on the first day.

Sphynx kittens open their eyes already on the first day after birth

The size of the animal does not affect the time when the kitten's eyes open. Siamese cats fewer sphinxes. The largest of those listed in the table are Ragdolls. Giant cats have thick hair, slightly inferior in length to the Persian.

The antiquity of the genus or the artificially bred breed does not matter. Siamese and Persians are known from manuscripts that are over 600 years old. They are the ancestors of many breeds. The genus of Sphinxes can span several decades; it was bred in the last century.

You can not forcefully open the eyes of kittens. They may remain blind or fall ill if they become infected.

Do not open your kittens' eyes by force - they can get sick

In girls, the eyes begin to open earlier. But in boys, the process is faster and they begin to fully distinguish objects and colors together.

There may be cases when kittens open their eyes after birth on the first day or are born with open eyelids. This means that the cat mother passed the term, and gave birth to them a few days later. Development occurs in utero; in babies, the eyes open immediately or earlier than usual.

The healing process takes 2-3 weeks. When a kitten's eyes gradually open after birth, gaps appear in the corners drop-shaped. The next day, the eyelids are separated, between them a narrow strip of clearance. Within a week, the eyes open wider and reach their normal size. But a fluffy lump cannot be called sighted.

Kittens fully open their eyes after 2-3 weeks

How many days should pass until the baby's vision is completely normal. From the moment of its birth, the kitten distinguishes bright light, and it irritates him through closed eyelids. In the process of opening the eyelids, he sees blurry spots. Even fully open, the eyes have a matte color, as if covered with a film. At this time, it is better for babies to be in the dark. Bright light irritates the developing pupil and in the future the animal may not see well or remain blind.

Only at 3-4 weeks does a period come when little kittens open their eyes and see their owners, are able to recognize them. By this time, the brilliance, depth and blueness of the iris appears. All babies have blue eyes. The iris acquires its color by about 6 months.

Cats are nocturnal animals. They see excellently in the dark due to the ability of the pupil to contract and expand. When the eyes open, the formation of internal muscles continues in them. The pupil is not able to narrow, it is constantly in the "twilight" mode. They should gradually get used to the light. A cat with offspring should be in a box covered with a dark cloth.

The signal that kittens can be released into a bright room is their ability to move independently on their paws. They begin to play with their mother and with each other. This happens around 4 weeks. In the eyes, the pupil begins to decrease and the iris appears.

On the first day after birth, kittens not only do not see, but also do not hear. They will be able to open their ears only for 4-6 days. They crawl up to the cat only at the expense of the organs of touch, finding food. Clinging to the cat, the kids warm up. The thermoregulation of the body has not yet been established, and they are completely dependent on the mother. Therefore, the cat does not leave the kittens for the first days, even to eat.

In the first days, the cat does not leave the kittens at all

The weight of kittens at birth is 90 - 110 grams. They should gain 7-10 grams every day and double their weight by a week. At this time, it is important to monitor the condition of the eye. If they turn sour, wipe them with warm brewing of black tea or drug which will be prescribed by a veterinarian.

It is impossible to press on the eyes, the movements from the ear to the nose should be light. If the crusts are dry, you first need to soak them, then rinse. You can take the baby from the cat for a few minutes, necessary for quick weighing and holding necessary procedures. This should be done by a family member whom the animal trusts the most.

The kitten should be held in your hand. In the first week of his body 35 degrees. It is useless to wrap it, it will not be able to warm itself. Only in the second week of life. Around the 6th day of life, the kitten begins to regulate its own body temperature. Outwardly, this is manifested by trembling. It is already overgrown with fluff, the temperature rises to 36 degrees. It will become normal for this type of animal by 3 weeks. For cats, this is 37 - 38 degrees. Some types of hairless animals freeze all their lives.

By the end of 4 weeks, kittens already distinguish between objects, have teeth and complementary foods begin. First, boiled diluted milk is given. Gradually, the food becomes more and more dense. At 5 - 6 weeks, the kitten eats completely on its own, but if it is not weaned on time, it can go to its mother for food for up to a year.

The complete "enlightenment" of a kitten can be determined by the following signs:

he confidently stands on his paws and walks;
the hair on the back is thick and has acquired its normal color;
milk teeth erupted except for fangs;
reacts not only to light, but also to bright objects;
when people approach him, he takes a defensive posture;
when the light changes, the pupils change shape.

Feed your kittens well so they gain weight faster

If the kitten is not gaining weight well, it must be fed. Weighing can be done before and after feeding.

Sour eyes, especially if they rot, indicate a kitten's illness and should be shown to the veterinarian. The baby, who is significantly retarded in development and remains blind for more than 2 days after all his brothers have opened their eyes, should also be examined.

After 2 weeks, kittens can be helped to develop faster. This is done by analogy with babies. The mother gives the child a massage every day, activating the work of the intestines and muscle development. The same goes for cat babies. A cat licks kittens not only to clean them of dirt. she removes from herself and their other people's smells. At the same time, massage is done with the tongue. If you stroke a kitten, the mother will begin to lick it unscheduled. Thanks to the massage, the kitten will develop better and gain weight, it will start not only walking faster, but also running and climbing.

An important period in the life of kittens is the beginning of climbing up. They are not yet able to correctly assess the height, their strength. They can climb, but they need help descending. A clumsy baby cannot turn his head back enough to see what is below his tail. Therefore, he falls or hangs on his front legs, gets muscle strain. It is advisable to make them special with platforms and scratching posts.

At about 8 - 10 months, the kitten becomes an adult: its milk teeth completely change, its coat sheds. Movements become graceful, the body is flexible. During this period, the eyes are fully adapted to change the size of the pupil. The cat can see in the dark, except for complete darkness, and in bright sunlight.

A kitten is born completely helpless, unable to see or hear. The only thing he can do is suck milk. Amazing metamorphoses to transform this defenseless creature into a playful and curious animal occur gradually. Many pet owners experience anxiety when kittens do not open their eyes for a long time. The specific time of "enlightenment" is an individual process, depending on a number of factors. Even babies from the same litter begin to see at different times.

When do kittens open their eyes?

The eyelids of a newborn kitten are tightly closed and only after 5-10 days they slowly open. In some cases, the palpebral fissure appears only by the end of the second week. Every day it becomes wider by about 1 mm, so it takes a few more days before it fully opens. It has been observed that kittens placed in a dark place open their eyes earlier than those placed in a well-lit room.

iris still long time remains cloudy and covered with a bluish film. The kid is able to distinguish between light and darkness, to see the outlines of objects. Full vision in a kitten appears no earlier than a month old. The final color of the eyes is formed by 6 months.

In the first days after opening the eye of a kitten, it is recommended to keep it in a darkened room so as not to damage the pupil with bright light.

Factors affecting the process

How many days kittens open their eyes after birth depends on several reasons. This process is affected by:

Breed. Short-haired cats see the light earlier than their relatives with a long fur coat. Ragdolls begin to open their eyelids in the third week of life. Sphynxes are often born with their eyes open. In the British, the opening of the eyelids begins on the ninth day after birth. Representatives oriental breed develop a little faster and begin to look at the world already on the sixth day.
Floor. Girls open their eyes before boys.
The age of the mother cat. The older she is, the more active her offspring.
The gestational age of the cat. The longer the process of carrying kittens, the sooner they will be able to see the world. It happens that in a cat that has gone through pregnancy, the cubs are born already with open eyes.
Health status of cats and kittens. No disease during pregnancy good food contribute to the birth healthy babies. The eyes of these kittens open in a timely manner. Delays in this process occur when the cat has viruses in the body, the kittens have diseases or developmental disorders.

In addition to these factors, heredity, the number of kittens born, and living conditions are also important.

Possible problems

Until the kitten is 3 weeks old, there is no reason to worry about the peephole not opening. However, careful observation of the babies will allow timely detection of existing deviations. It can be:

The fusion of the eyelids. In this case, the eye sockets swell, purulent discharge is found on the edges of the eyelids. If the fusion is partial, it will help light massage. The eyelids are pre-soaked with tea leaves. After the procedure wipe boric alcohol. Complete fusion, when the eyelids are tightly closed, surgery is required.
Conjunctivitis. The disease can occur as a result of infection, trauma. The eyelids swell, sticking together due to dried purulent secretions dark brown. To soften the pus and remove it, use a weak solution of tea. The procedure for cleansing the eyelids is carried out several times during the day. Instead of tea, you can use special pharmaceutical solutions that the veterinarian will select. Usually after 2 days the condition of the eyes improves. If this does not happen, carry out laboratory research expiration to identify the pathogen pathological process. Based on the results obtained, subsequent treatment is built.
The birth of a completely blind kitten is a rather rare phenomenon. Usually, a congenital defect is compensated by more developed other senses - hearing, smell. Such cats are very well oriented in space and are almost indistinguishable from healthy ones.