Newborn

The kitten's eyes are closed. It can hardly hear. Its sense of touch is fully active.

 1 to 2 weeks old

The kitten is starting to hear sounds and look towards them. Its eyes are generally open by 2 weeks of age, although its eyesight is still poor. Its teeth start to show just before 2 weeks.

 3 weeks old

The kitten's sense of smell is nearly fully developed. It can see well enough to find and approach its mother. Its walking abilities are still very limited.

 4 weeks old

The kitten's hearing is fully developed. It is beginning to eat solid food as part of the weaning process. It is learning to walk. It is learning to play and interact socially with its littermates.

 5 weeks old

The kitten's sight is nearly fully developed. It has its baby teeth in place. It is learning to use the litter box. It can run for brief periods. It is beginning to play pounce. It is beginning to groom itself and its littermates. It is learning to walk. It is learning to play and interact socially with its littermates. Its kitten fur is getting long and it is starting into the 'fuzzy period' when its spots are not clear beneath the fuzz.

 7 weeks old

The kitten can regulate its body temperature. It has developed adult sleeping patterns. It is usually fully weaned. It is able to run, walk, play with toys and stalk objects. It is still in the 'fuzzy period' making its spots difficult to photograph

 7 to 14 weeks old

This is a period of intensely active play as the kitten develops. It develops increased physical co-ordination and social skills. It will chase, play-fight, leap, pounce and lay with toys and litter mates. Its kitten fur starts to disappear and is being replaced by its adult sleek silky smooth coat. From about 10 weeks, the spots are clear with no more 'kitten fuzzies'.

 14 to 30 weeks old

The kitten's baby teeth fall out and are replaced with new adult teeth. Its coat is now silky smooth and its spots are clearly seen.

 6 months old

The kitten is now an adolescent. It has worked out the ranking in the household - usually with kitten on top or very near it!