Are kittens born blind?

Cristalline - Photo © Dani Rozeboom

All kittens are born with their eyes closed. Therefore kittens are born blind, effectively.

The eyes begin to open at 8 days. The eyes are completely open at 14 days.

The eyes of cats with shorthair open sooner than those with longhair.

All cats are born with blue eyes, which lasts until three weeks of age.

The color that the cat will have as an adult is fully formed at around 12 weeks of age (1).

Note: (1) Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook - Pediatrics - ISBN 978-0-470-09530-0