Kitten Development in the First Six Weeks of Life
may be fully erect by this age.
Their eye color may start to change, from the blue shared by all kittens to the adult hue. Their sense of smell will be well developed.1 Kittens can voluntarily eliminate now, as their digestive system is developing. The mother cat will continue to clean them until they learn grooming skills.
Don't be surprised to hear kittens start to purr at this young age. Baby teeth will start to come in now, and the mother cat will start thinking about weaning.
Week 4: Standing and Wobbling
Kittens will start to stand sometime between the third and fourth weeks and will try to walk, although their first movements will be very
wobbly.1 Their bodies are out of proportion to their eventual adult state. Little tails are very short and "stick-like," and their heads are disproportionately large for their bodies and legs. This will all change, though, as they get their "sea legs" and start moving around.
Don't be surprised to see kittens escaping from their nesting area as they seek to expand their horizons. They will also interact more with their litter mates, even to the point of forming "alliances," which may or may not be gender-based.
Kittens will continue to nurse regularly. It is important to continue feeding the mother good quality food, as long as she is nursing kittens.
Week 5: Starting the Weaning Process
Kittens will be walking around freely at this time and starting to play
