Re: Why do kittens eyes open right away

Dear Branwyn:

The answer to your question is due to differences in development of the
eye.  Some animals are born very developed and are ready to go at 
birth.  Guinea pigs for example have all their fur, can run around, and
can eat lettuce and carrots the day they are born.  Mice on the other 
hand are born without fur and must rely on their mother for 21 days.
Animals like man are born at a medium level of development, but remain
dependant on parents for many years.

The opening of the eye depends on when it becomes developed.  When the
rods and cones (the cells of the retina that "see light") are fully
differentiated, the eyelids open.  Experiments have shown that one 
can speed up the differentiation of these cells by surgically opening
the eyelids (don't try this one at home).  So it looks like nature has
decided that there is no sense opening the lids until the animal can 
fully see.  Plus the closed lids protect the eyes.

After your cat is finished raising her kittens you might want to consider 
having her fixed so she can no longer have kittens.  Right now there are
too many cats and not enough homes available for them.  
Check with your cat's veterinarian.