How to Care For Orphaned Kittens

Caring for orphaned kittens can be a very challenging job and even people experienced in the area can lose some along the way. What you must remember is that you are replacing mommy and at this young and vulnerable age kittens learn everything from mother. It is your duty to care for and teach them the skills they need to be healthy and lively little kittens.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small Pet Feeder Bottle
• Kitten Formula
• Cotton Balls
• Food and Water Bowl
• Litter Box
• Litter

1. If you find yourself staring at the nearly lifeless body of a tiny fuzz ball the first thing you must do is provide warmth. Kittens use the majority of their energy for growing and letting their mother know they are hungry. Snuggle the kitten in a nice soft blanket or put them under your shirt to draw warmth from your skin.

2. Feeding your kitten is something you may come to find can be a difficult task, depending on the kittens age. An eye dropper or nursery bottle are recommended. The nursery bottle should be used if the kitten is old enough for suckling. DO NOT force feed a kitten even if you think it may be hungry and it is not eating. Feed your kitten homemade formula (recipes can be found all over the internet) or purchase special kitten formula from your vet or local pet store. Always place your kitten stomach down when feeding and always give formula at a slightly warm temperature. You will know when your kitten is full when the formula starts to bubble from around its mouth. Next place the kitten on your shoulder just as you would a baby and gently pat to burp.

3. To stimulate the kittens bowel movements, as mother would, rub the kittens belly with a dampened cotton ball to mimic a mother cat licking the kittens belly.

4. At 4 weeks you can begin to wean your kitten from its bottle as it will be ready for more nutrition than the formula offers. You will know your kitten is ready when it appears to be hungry all the time as if the formula is not solving its hunger issues. Start by introducing wet kitten food or dry mix moistened with formula. Don't get upset if your kitten doesn't eat the first time. It takes some practice before they are ready. When first weaning alternate between the solid food and bottle.

5. At 4 weeks your kitten is also ready to litter box train. Set up your litter box and place your kitten in to investigate. Don't be alarmed if he tries eating the litter at some point. This is just his way of exploring his new surrounding. Continue to place your kitten in the litter box after meals and any time he acts like he may need to use the bathroom. Accidents will happen so please have patience and remember not to scold your kitten. This will only make him more resistant.

6. Most importantly, give your kitten tons of love and affection as he grows and learns and you will soon come to realize that hand raised kittens are more affectionate than the normal cat.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use non clumping litter with kittens of this size to prevent intestinal blockages if it is ingested.

Resources

• Cat Help Online

[brandy1123]

on 8/30/2008 good advise

[TuttiPetunia]

on 4/20/2008 Remember to use regular plain, unscented kitty litter when litter training baby kittens. This is the gravely looking clay litter only. Scoopable litters should never be used with young kittens because the clumping factor can cause an obstruction in the kitten's intestines if they eat any of it or when they lick it from their paws.

I got this information from one of my veterinarians when I first started rescueing cats & kittens.