HomeCatsKittenWhen do kittens first open their eyes?

When do kittens first open their eyes?

Your kitten's eyes opening is the first big milestone in their life. They are born with their eyes shut tight, folded ears, and are unable to regulate their body temperature.  

Their eyes will open when they are around two weeks old, and their ears will unfold as their canals open. However, it will take two months for these senses to develop enough to resemble an adult cat's visual acuity and hearing. 

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Newborn kittens laying together

Kitten development milestones

Understanding every milestone in your kitten’s development as they mature into an adult will help you give them the best care. 

At birth, kittens are unable to see, hear, or regulate their body temperature. At this stage, they depend entirely on their mother to meet all their needs. The umbilical cord is still present, and most of their movement is directed towards their mom for warmth and nutrition.
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Even though a kitten's eyes and ears are closed, exposure to bright lights and loud noises can damage their eyesight and hearing.  

 

At the very beginning, kittens get colostrum from their mother’s milk. Colostrum is rich in antibodies and supports their undeveloped immune system. They cannot urinate or defecate at this age, so their mother must stimulate them to pass their waste. 

Around this time, the umbilical cord will fall off at this stage of your kitten's life. Also, the eyes and ear canals begin to open. As the ear canals open, their ears will unfold from their heads. However, their sight and hearing will still be very undeveloped, leaving them relying heavily on touch and smell. 
At around two weeks, your kitten's eyes will be completely open, and their ears will continue to unfold but they won't have full vision for a few weeks yet. All kittens start with blue eyes until they discover their permanent eye color at around eight weeks. For example, a Tabby will first have blue eyes, which will change to amber or brown as they get older. Whereas breeds like Siamese will keep their blue eyes.
At three weeks old, your kitten has emerging teeth and their ears have now completely unfolded. Also, they begin to stumble around, exploring the litter box and their surroundings. By six weeks, all their milk teeth will be present.  

At four weeks, there is an improvement in their eyesight. Their pupils can dilate and constrict at this age, and their depth perception is developing.

Around six weeks, your kitten's vision and hearing are well-developed, though they will take around two months to fully develop. At this age, kittens are mobile, can socialize with their siblings, are weaned, and use the litter box. Leaving a kitten with their mother until they are eight weeks old will help them learn proper cat behaviors and socialization, but at 6 weeks some kittens can go to their new homes. 

How do your kitten's eyes differ from ours?

Kitten’s eyes are similar in structure to ours but have some significant differences that are suited to their lifestyle:
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Shape

The pupils in a kitten/cat’s eyes are elliptical, allowing them to adjust to light quicker than we can. 
Kitten at vet
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Extra layer

Kitten’s eyes also have an extra layer called the tapetum lucidum. The tapetum lucidum is a gel-like layer that sits in the back of the kitten’s eye and acts as a mirror to illuminate any light coming into the kitten’s eyes. Due to this, it allows cat’s/kitten’s to need only 1/6th of the light that humans require. 
Kitten looking up towards the camera
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Third eyelid

They also have a third eyelid called the nictitating membrane, which protects the eye from injury. When the eye tissue becomes inflamed, the third eyelid protects the eye by partially closing and covers it when your kitten sleeps. Often, when you see your cat’s third eyelid, it is an indication that your cat is unwell.
Fluffy Red Kitten with Blue Eyes

What does your kitten see?

Cats can see well in low light and detect even the slightest movement. However, as their eyes develop, they must be protected from bright light to reduce the risk of eye damage.

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Sensory receptors

Cats have two types of sensory receptors, rods and cones. Rods support vision during daylight, and cones support vision in low light. Cats have around 200 million rods, making them well-suited to seeing in low light.
Cat on the sofa. Curious kitten at home
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Color field

Cones in the eyes help us see different colors. Humans have three types of cones that let us see green, blue, and red, whereas cats have two types that only allow them to see green and blue. 
Gray cat playing with paw in air
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Motion perception

Cats can see movement very well, but due to their vision being unclear, they can’t identify much color. Therefore, they struggle to find motionless prey. 
  
Curious kitten stands on a bed covered with a white blanket
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It adds up

All these difference in eye structure allows for exceptional low light vision and protection from injury, so you can tell how cats are adapted to be active in the dark.  
Kitten jumping through flowers

When should you be concerned about your kitten's eyes?

Every cat is different; therefore, their eyes will not open at the same time, and sometimes one eye will open sooner than the other. However, if your kitten’s eyes haven’t opened by two weeks, then you should contact your veterinarian to check for any problems. 



Eye problems to look out for

There are many signs and symptoms to watch for when it comes to monitoring the health of your kitten’s eyes: 

  • Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the tissue inside the eyelids
  • Entropion: The eyelids turn in, causing discomfort and inflammation to the eye and lids
  • Epiphora: A tear duct that is completely or partially obstructed
  • Prolapse: The third eyelid is visible
  • Retinal detachment: This can be caused by damage to the head and can significantly impact their vision if not treated.

 

It's vital to keep your kitten's face and eyes clean. Bacterial and viral infections are common and can damage eyesight—routinely grooming your kitten reduces the risk of them. Kitten eye care involves washing your kitten's face gently with a soft cloth and warm, clean water. Wipe the eyes from the nose outward. Be careful not to force their eyes to open. They must open naturally.

When to seek professional help:

If you notice that your kitten has any of the following issues then you should contact a veterinarian:


  • Red eyes 
  • Crust 
  • A bump under the eyelid 
  • Swelling 
  • Itching 
  • Frequent startles
  • Poor space location
 

Also, if you have any other concerns, contact a veterinarian. 



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Sources
  1. https://www.royalcanin.com/uk/cats/kitten/kitten-development-from-birth-to-adulthood
  2. https://betc.box.com/s/d7r7tdo8lkfgci8s6q3f8meqywwsvcma
  3. https://mon-pa-chat-et-moi.com/les-yeux-du-chat/

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