How To Take Care of a Baby Cat

Because the longer baby cats are able to nurse, the healthier they will be, kittens shouldn't be adopted until they are at least five weeks old. At this point, they're old enough to be fully weaned and their mother's milk has given them antibodies to protect them from illness. However, if you find yourself playing mother to an orphan baby cat too young to be separated from his mother, you can give him a good start in life as long as you know what special care he needs.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blanket Kitten heating pad, optional Sock, optional Rice, optional Nursing bottle Kitten formula Soft cloths Cat cleaning towelettes

1. Seek out a foster mother who's currently nursing her own kittens by asking local veterinary clinics. Often, a mother cat will feed a baby that isn't her own, and ensuring the kitten gets mother's milk is the best way to take care of her. If you can find a foster mother, you may not need to give the orphan any additional care.

2. Keep the baby cat warm, preferably between about 88 degrees and 92 degrees Fahrenheit for their first week, and then around 80 degrees Fahrenheit after that. Make sure there are no drafts in the kitten's bed and place a soft blanket in it.

3. Take the kitten to the vet as soon as possible after you find him. Even if he looks healthy, he needs a full exam. The vet can also help you choose the best baby cat formula and feeding method for your kitten, and nearly all veterinary clinics have baby cat supplies.

4. Feed the kitten an approved baby cat formula, using a bottle designed for kittens. Be sure to sterilize all feeding utensils first, and then follow the directions for your particular bottle and formula, as methods and amounts to feed can vary.

5. Stimulate the baby cat's eliminations by moistening a soft cloth with warm water and rubbing her stomach lightly, which will cause her to urinate and defecate.

6. Clean the kitten all over with a towelette designed for cleaning cats, or with a lightly moistened cloth. Replicate the mother's tongue strokes by cleaning in small, short strokes. This method will help soothe the kitten.

7. Provide the baby cat with a lot of physical contact, especially if you're raising a single kitten. Physical contact will ensure that the kitten's emotional health is sound.

Tips & Warnings

• A sock filled with uncooked rice and microwaved for 60 seconds or until warm to the touch is a good heating pad for a baby cat. You just need to warm it again every three hours. Once the kitten is four weeks old, you can start introducing solid kitten food. This is also a good time to introduce your baby cat to the litter box.
• Don't use an electric blanket or a heating pad designed for human use to provide warmth for the baby cat. This can overheat her.

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