How to Save a Dying Kitten

There are few things in life more impossible to resist than a kitten in distress. Seeing these small, furry creatures all alone, scared and possibly dying plucks the strings in anyone’s heart. Say you have rescued this kitten from the streets, the next steps you take are critical to saving the kitten’s life.

Things You'll Need

• Box
• Bedding
• Gauze
• Tape

Instructions

1. Place the kitten in a box with plenty of bedding immediately. If a kitten is on the verge of death, it needs all the body heat it can manage. A box with some bedding will keep it safe and warm until you begin your next step in the rescue process.

2. Provide the kitten with a shallow dish of water and some food. Depending on how old the kitten is, it may not know how to feed itself at this point. It’s difficult for you to make that call, so provide it food. If it doesn’t eat, you’ll have a good idea why.

3. Phone your local vet office and make an appointment to take the kitten in as soon as possible. Time is important. If your office can’t get you in that day, phone other offices in order to get the cat to a doctor immediately.

4. Inspect the kitten for any open wounds or other signs that it is injured. Clean the wound, place gauze on it and tape it up. If it is having difficulty walking, just let it lie down.

5. Bring the box inside and keep it away from other animals such as grown cats or dogs. Some animals are territorial. So while you are protecting this helpless kitten from the weather, make sure you protect it from your pets as well.

6. Check to make sure the box you have for the kitten can be taken to the vet and closed. This will help keep the kitten calm while you are in the waiting room, and it will also keep other animals from it.

Resources

• Learn about providing first aid to feral kittens
• Read what other consumers say about helping dying kittens