Glossary

Neonatal kitten

A kitten in its first two weeks, born with closed eyes and ears and unable to regulate its own temperature or toilet without its mother.

Also called: newborn kitten, newborn kittens, bottle baby, orphaned newborn

The neonatal period covers a kitten's first two weeks of life. Newborns weigh roughly 100 grams, are born with their eyes and ear canals closed and cannot see or hear properly. The eyes usually open at about a week to ten days. They find their mother by smell and warmth and do little but feed and sleep.

At this age a kitten cannot keep itself warm. It relies on its mother and littermates, and a chilled kitten can fade quickly. The mother licks the kittens to stimulate urination and defecation, since they cannot manage by themselves. The first milk, colostrum, carries antibodies that protect them for the early weeks.

A healthy neonate is plump, quiet and warm, and gains weight every day. Crying a lot, a cold body, a swollen belly or failure to gain weight are urgent signs. If you find kittens that seem to be orphaned, wait and watch from a distance first, because the mother is often nearby. Call a vet, shelter or rescue group promptly if she does not return. Orphans need round-the-clock feeding with the right milk replacer and warmth, so seek expert help immediately and do not feed cow's milk.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Kitten A cat in its first months of life, from birth until about six months to a year old, a time of rapid growth, learning and vaccinations. Weaning The gradual switch from mother's milk to solid food, which usually starts at about four weeks and is mostly complete by eight to ten weeks. Scruff The loose skin at the back of a cat's neck, which a mother cat grips to carry kittens but which adult cats should not be lifted or held by. Socialisation period The early weeks of a kitten's life, roughly two to seven weeks, when gentle handling and new experiences shape how friendly and confident it becomes. Kitten food A food with more energy, protein, fat and minerals than adult food, made to support a kitten's fast growth.

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