For the first 56 days of a Kitten's life, Kitten Care Week by Week is more than just a schedule; it's a conversation with a tiny miracle. Every Kitten Care Week is an epic of courage and tenderness when you hold that palm-sized creature in your hands - from the fragility of their closed eyes to their first curious leap for a toy, your hands are the cradle that holds this transformation in place. Your hands are the cradle that holds this transformation in place.
During the eight-week Kitten Care Week journey, every 2AM feeding and every swab of fecal care is writing the definition of safety for them. What you may not know is that your late-night dimming of the lights will be branded as their trust in humans, and your choice of KMR formula and Snuggle Safe warming pads will be their armor against the world. Using science as our compass, we've broken down Kitten Care Week into actionable love: from the first vaccine to the first use of litter, from socialization to bonding with a new family.
At this point, you're not just watching over your kitten's survival, you're nurturing a future purr in the living room, a playmate for the kids after school, or even a healer for a lonely soul. May this Kitten Care Week guide make your encounters with these fluffy little guests the shining stars of each other's lives. When the morning light of the eighth week illuminates their journey, you will realize that some love, measured in weeks, is enough to last a lifetime.
Week 1 Kitten Care: Newborn Stage
Keep warm
1 Maintain ambient temperature at 85-90°F (use a heating pad or warm water bottle to avoid direct skin contact).
2 Commonly used brand in the U.S.: Snuggle Safe microwave heating pad.
Feeding
1 Feed kitten milk replacer (KMR formula) 2-4 ml every 2-3 hours.
2 Use a special bottle or syringe (PetAg brand recommended).
Defecation stimulation
Gently rub the anus and urethra with a warm wet cotton ball to mimic licking by the mother cat.
Health monitoring
Weigh daily (normal weight gain is about 7-10 grams/day), weight loss requires contacting your veterinarian.
Week 2 Kitten Care: Sensory Development
Eyes and ears
1 Eyes gradually open at 7-14 days (covered by blue membrane, do not force them open).
2 Ears begin to perceive sounds and keep the environment quiet.
Feeding adjustments
Increase the amount of milk to 5-7 ml per feeding and maintain a frequency of 2-3 hours.
Socialization
Brief gentle petting every day to allow kittens to adapt to human scent.
Week 3 Kitten Care: Initial Exploration
Preparation for weaning
Begin offering thin, soft kitten wet food (e.g. Royal Canin Mother & Babycat).
Defecation training
Introduce shallow litter box (non-clumping litter to avoid accidental ingestion).
Health Check
Make an appointment with your veterinarian to check for birth defects or parasites.
Week 4 Kitten Care: Increased mobility
Weaning advancement
Reduce milk intake and increase frequency of wet food (4-6 times per day).
Deworming
Veterinarian may recommend first deworming (e.g. Pyrantel for roundworms).
Environmental enrichment
Provide soft toys and short climbing frames to promote muscle development.
Week 5 Kitten Care: Critical Socialization Period
Complete weaning
Transition to dry kitten food (soaked and softened) and provide clean water.
Vaccine Preparation
Consult your veterinarian to schedule FVRCP core vaccines at 6-8 weeks.
Behavioral Training
Develop interaction with people through play and avoid teasing with hands and feet (to prevent aggression).
Week 6 Kitten Care: Vaccine Initiation
First vaccination
First dose of FVRCP vaccine (against feline distemper, herpes, etc.)
Parasite control
Review fecal samples and use de-wormers such as Broadline as recommended by your veterinarian.
Environmental adaptation
Introduce sounds such as vacuum cleaner, doorbell, etc. to reduce future stress.
Week 7 Kitten Care: Independence Development
Independent eating
Fixed feeding time, 4 meals of dry food + wet food per day.
Grooming training
Adapt grooming with soft bristle brush, trim nails (avoid cutting into blood line).
Adoption Preparation
Take photos/videos and write a description of the cat's personality for the adoption agency.
Week 8 Kitten Care: Entering a New Family
Veterinarian confirmation
Completion of vaccine second shot and health certificate (some states require paperwork for adoption).
Spay and Neuter Arrangements
Most U.S. shelters recommend spaying or neutering after 8 weeks; schedule surgery in advance.
Transition Suggestions
1 Provide old blankets (with familiar scents) to reduce anxiety in the new home.
2 Instruct new owners to use US pet insurance (e.g. Nationwide).
