How to determine a kitten's age: tips for pet owners.

After rescuing a kitten from the street and welcoming it into your home, it's crucial to determine its approximate age first. This will aid in creating an appropriate diet and scheduling necessary vaccinations. UNIAN explains how to estimate a kitten's age.

You can make an initial assessment yourself, but it's best to consult a veterinarian for a reliable evaluation.

How to Determine a Kitten's Age

Young kittens under 1 month old exhibit specific characteristics:

1. If the kitten has an umbilical cord on its belly, it may still be a newborn. They are born blind, with their ears pressed against their heads.

2. Between 7-10 days, kittens' eyes begin to open, and their ears start to straighten out.

3. If the eyes are open but appear narrow, the kitten is likely between 2 to 3 weeks old. At this age, the first milk teeth also start to emerge.

4. Most kittens are born with blue eyes, but by 6-7 weeks, their eye color begins to change.

5. If the kitten walks clumsily, it is probably around 3 weeks old. At 4 weeks, the animal walks more confidently, and by 5 weeks, it can run. By 7-8 weeks, the little ones chase after toys.

6. At 4 months, baby teeth start to fall out. This age marks the onset of sexual maturity, and the animal may meow more frequently at night and try to escape the apartment.

7. From 4 months, kittens become elongated. They shed more, and their fur transitions to a permanent coat.

8. At 6-7 months, they reach a teenage stage where they may exhibit aggression and defend their territory.

You can also estimate a kitten's age by its weight:

1. During the first week of life, kittens weigh about 130 g; at 2 weeks, they weigh 170-200 g; at 4 weeks, 250-270 g; and at 7-8 weeks, 700-900 g.

2. If a kitten weighs 1.3 kg, it is approximately 3 months old, and if it weighs 1.8 kg, it is about 4 months old. An adult cat typically weighs around 4 kg.

How to Determine an Adult Cat's Age

After 1 year of age, cats stop growing and their appearance changes very little. It becomes challenging to determine their age at this stage. However, you can try to assess their age by these signs:

1. If a cat has a lot of tartar on its side teeth and inflamed gums, it may be over 2 years old (the more tartar, the older the cat).

2. At around 2 years old, cats tend to groom themselves less and become less active, although this varies by personality.

3. As they approach senior age (9 years and older), animals often face issues with bones, kidneys, and the bladder; they may urinate outside the litter box and jump less frequently.

4. Older cats are typically thinner than younger ones and weigh less, and they may also develop gray fur.