Three weeks ago, Cheeto was a helpless one-day-old kitten with his eyes shut, ears folded tight, and a tiny body that fit easily into the palm of my hand. Today, he’s alert, wobbly, snuggly, and absolutely thriving—and I couldn’t be more proud of our little guy.
Watching him grow has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I hope by sharing his progress, we can help others understand the ups and downs of caring for an orphaned kitten.
So Much Change in Just Three Weeks
Cheeto’s transformation over the last week has been nothing short of amazing. While every kitten grows at their own pace, here’s where he’s at now:
👀 Bright Eyes Wide Open
Cheeto’s eyes opened at just 7 days old, which is on the earlier side for kittens (most open between days 7–10). His vision is still developing, but he now clearly sees movement and light—and he stares up at me when I talk to him like he’s trying to figure the whole world out. His ears have also unfolded, and he perks up when he hears voices and sounds.
🍼 From Syringe to Bottle
Cheeto has officially graduated from syringe feeding to drinking from a kitten nursing bottle! This is a huge milestone that tells us he’s stronger, has developed a suckling reflex, and is gaining stamina. He’s feeding every 4 hours, taking in more with each meal and growing steadily.
(And yes, we still set our alarms at night—bottle babies are a round-the-clock job.)
🐾 Learning to Walk (Sort Of)
His legs are still a bit wobbly, but Cheeto is starting to get up and move around his playpen more confidently. He stumbles, he pounces (poorly), and he loves crawling into warm corners to nap. Every bit of movement is strengthening his muscles and coordination.
💩 Still Needs Help Going Potty
Cheeto still relies on me to stimulate him to urinate and defecate after each feeding using a warm, damp tissue. This is perfectly normal at this age, and we expect he’ll begin eliminating on his own sometime after week 4. It’s not glamorous, but it’s essential for his health—and it’s just part of being a kitten parent.
A Total Lovebug (With a Loud Purr!)
Cheeto’s personality is starting to shine. He’s a snuggle bug through and through—he’ll climb right up into the crook of your arm after a meal and start purring like a tiny motorboat. One of his favorite cuddle buddies? My daughter, who has become his second favorite human. The two of them curl up together during bottle breaks, and the bond they’re forming is something truly special.
Hearing Cheeto purr for the first time was one of those unforgettable moments—it was quiet at first, but now it’s loud and proud. It’s his way of saying, “I feel safe. I feel loved.” And that’s exactly what we want for every kitten.
Caring for a 3-Week-Old Kitten: What You Should Know
If you’re caring for a kitten this age, here are a few key things to expect and prepare for:
✅ Feeding every 4 hours with kitten milk replacer (never cow’s milk!)
✅ Switch to bottle feeding once they’re strong enough to latch and suckle
✅ Bathroom assistance is still required after every meal
✅ Kittens should be warm and housed in a safe, enclosed space with soft bedding
✅ Encourage gentle handling and interaction to build trust and support social development
✅ Daily weight checks are helpful to monitor progress (healthy gain = ~10-15g/day)
Every bit of care during these early weeks shapes the kind of cat a kitten becomes—confident, bonded, and ready to explore the world.
Cheeto still has a long way to go, but he’s off to a fantastic start. We’re already planning for his next big steps: starting to wean, litter training, and eventually joining Kitten Kamp right here at the clinic.
Thank you for following along with his journey—and for caring about the smallest, most vulnerable members of the feline world. If Cheeto’s story helps even one more kitten get the care they need, it’s worth every bottle, every nap in my hoodie, and every 2 a.m. feeding.
🐾 With love,
Maggie & the All Cats Clinic Team
!Social Media Icons