Eye opening...

One of my books said that kittens eyes open around 3-4 days, but Milo's kittens are a week old yesterday and still no sign of eye opening. They are quite frisky and crawl all over, but they can't see.

Is this normal? when can I expect them to open?

Originally Posted by Aries

One of my books said that kittens eyes open around 3-4 days, but Milo's kittens are a week old yesterday and still no sign of eye opening. They are quite frisky and crawl all over, but they can't see.

Is this normal? when can I expect them to open?

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Aries...I have read that kittens open their eyes between the 5th-10th day:

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/birth_to_two_weeks.html

So per this....your kittens are normal.

Katie

That is a relief! I should have known this book wasn't very good when it defamed TNR practices as cruel because TNR cats have no place in feral colonies since they have no sex drive and that is their sole purpose in the wild.?!!!!? Calls itself a cat encyclopedia, humpf.

Good example of not believing everything you read.

Yuki and Hitomi are 4 1/2 weeks old and yuki's eyes opened at 10 days and Hitomi's eyes opened at day 14. I think it just depends on the individual kitten, but some time within the first 2 weeks.

Just wanted to add, I wouldn't worry unless none of them have started to open by 10 days. That would be really unusual.

Funny how some 'reference' books can be so off...I have a guinea pig 'reference' book that has so many out-dated ideas, it's almost comical.

The sad thing is that some people have nothing else to turn to and follow some of their misguided advice.

My bottom line is when in doubt, call the vet. (although they can have misinformation too, LOL)

I think cats (and kittens!) are very much individuals and will reach milestones as the individuals they are - when they are good and ready to!

My understanding is 10 days is the average, but can happen as late as 14, and in some, since they are individuals, even longer. And some shorter.

In fact, some of miine started, then stopped, then others opened their eyes completely before the first ones finished. Some I've had open their eyes partially and it was a few days before they opened them completely.

So I think you're still okay.

Yeah, definitely I would not worry at all. Actually, I wouldn't even give it much thought until well after 10 days and more like the 14 day mark (before I would be at all concerned).

And aren't they just adorable when you look in and one has just one eye partially opened...peeking through?

Originally Posted by poohandwendy

... And aren't they just adorable when you look in and one has just one eye partially opened...peeking through?

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Oh I ~love~ that stage when they have little "winkies"!!!

My rexes opened their eyes within 4-5 days old. But it can be up to 10 days. Your kittens are just on the later side. I'm sure in the next day or two they will start opening. If they seem stuck, you can very gently wipe them with a little warm water to get the sticky off. But only do that when you see them start to open - not before.

The kitties eyes started opening over the weekend. Not all but some. They are so sweet.

But their mother will not stop moving them. She's driving me crazy. I wouldn't care if she just moved them to some place safe but she moves them out into the middle of the floor or into the closet on (and in) my shoes, etc. I finally crated her and the kittens last night. She hated it and meowed and scratched all night. I just don't know what else to do. She wants to move them like every day. Will she stop doing this?

When they open there eyes are they able to see right away. I think I heard just a little. But it is hearsay