Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

How to estimate the age of a stray kitten I recently rescued?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Hello pet coach.. I found a kitten last December 24th.. He was running around the street.. So i don't know anything about him. I was wondering if you can tell me how old he is

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on January 2nd, 2020

He is adorable! From the photos, I would guess his age to be about ten to twelve weeks of age. I recommend getting him an appointment to see your vet as soon as possible for a wellness check and to get him started on a vaccination schedule, deworming and flea and heartworm prevention. Your vet will be better able to give you a closer estimate of his age based on his teeth.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 9th, 2018
Judging from the pictures you have provided, I would guess that he is likely about 10 weeks of age. I would feed him a kitten formula such as science diet. I would also get him examined by a veterinarian and start his vaccinations at this age. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 25th, 2019
He looks to be about 8 weeks old but I cannot really tell from a photo. I also cannot tell his breed from the photo. I suggest you take him to a vet for an exam. They can tell you everything you need to know about taking care of him. I'm sure he needs vaccines and deworming. Feed him the amount of food listed on the instructions on the bag of cat food.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

How can I tell how old my new kitten is from its appearance?

The pictures become blurry when enlarge them but this looks like a kitten approximately 8 to 12 weeks of age. When your cat goes to a veterinarian for the first shots and to be dewormed they will be able to take a closer look and give you an exact age.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

What are the signs to determine my new rescued kitten's age?

What a cutie! Determining a kittens age can sometimes be narrowed down by the appearance of the baby teeth and then the adult teeth, as well as the kitten's size. You can read more about this at https://bestfriends.org/stories-blog-videos/latest-news/determining-age-orphaned-kittens and https://www.aspcapro.org/blog/2014/07/03/tip-week-4-ways-tell-kittens-age When the vet examines your kitten, they will weigh her and look at her teeth which will help determine her age. I would bring her to a vet as soon as possible as it is very common for these guys to have intestinal parasites (bring a stool sample with you) and she may be old enough to start her vaccines to protect her from illness.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

How can I estimate my kitten's age at home using weight and teeth?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your kitten. It is difficult to say age just from a picture, but I guess she is around 6 weeks of age. Her baby teeth have erupted, but she appears quite small. Kittens typically weigh 2lbs at 8 weeks of age so you can use this as an estimate as well. I hope this information helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

How to estimate my new adopted cat's age before the vet visit?

Hi there. It would help us to see a picture of your cat, but to be semi accurate we would need to do a pretty good dental exam (examine the teeth). This is really best done in person as it is hard to photograph the mouth of a cat accurately.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

How do I know my small kitten's age and when to get him fixed?

Most cats can be fixed once they are over a certain weight rather than a certain age. Bringing him to your vet to be weighed and talking with your vet can let you know if he is large enough to be neutered. Your vet can also check for any remaining baby teeth in his mouth, as well as adult teeth that have come in to give you a closer estimate of his age. (It's hard to tell from your photo if those are still baby teeth or if they are adult teeth coming in, but this usually happens starting around 3-4 months of age, and finishes around 6-7 months.)

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

I just found a puppy. How do I know its age for vet care?

Hi there. There is no way for us to age him without looking at his teeth. That being said, he appears to be between 6 and 8 weeks of age. You can take him to any local vet and they will age him for you. If you just got him from the side of the road he likely needs vaccinations and deworming urgently - you should have that done as soon as possible.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What shots, deworming, and spay/neuter for my 6-week-old kitten?

Congratulations! What a beautiful kitten! Most vets start a vaccine series between 6-8 weeks of age, and will also deworm or check stool samples at the first visit. Following that, they typically need a visit/booster every 3-5 weeks until they are a few months old. The exact vaccines schedule will be individualized by your vet. They may also recommend parasite prevention or routine dewormers. Other things you can do at home include feeding a high quality kitten food, checking their urine and stool output and getting them used to being handled. Becoming well socialized is very important! Make sure they have plenty of vertical space like a cat tree, handle him gently and frequently - get him used to having his nail trims, etc. Don't let him bite you:) It looks like you are off to a great start!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share