How to Care for a Newborn Kitten
The ideal place for a newborn kitten is with its mother or with a foster cat but sometimes this is not possible. If the mother cat refuses to care for a kitten or dies while giving birth, you can care for the kitten yourself. Caring for a kitten is time-consuming and must be done correctly to ensure the kitten's health. If you feel you cannot provide proper care, it is best to contact a local shelter or rescue.
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Things You'll Need
- Box or basket
- Newspapers
- Blanket
- Kitten bottle or medicine dropper
- Kitten milk replacement
- Heating pad
Instructions
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Layer newspaper in the bottom of the box to catch any messes. Place a small heating pad over half of the bottom of the box and set it on low.
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Cover the heating pad and newspapers with a small blanket or soft towel. Place the kitten in the box. If there is only one kitten, provide a small stuffed animal for cuddling.
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3
Mix kitten milk replacement according to the package directions. Warm the milk to room temperature when it is ready to be used.
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4
Feed the kitten at least 1/2 tbsp. of milk every two to three hours around the clock. Position the kitten on its stomach just as if it is nursing from its mother.
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5
Wet a cloth or paper towel with warm water and wipe the kittens genitals and anal area with firm but gentle back-and-forth strokes after feeding. Continue wiping until the kitten eliminates. This will need to be done until the kitten is able to urinate by himself, which usually occurs around three weeks of age.
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Handle your kitten gently several hours a day. Cuddling with a live body will help the kitten to thrive and prevent it from dying of neglect.
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Provide small amounts of canned kitten food two to three times a day when the kitten reaches 5 weeks of age. Provide a small amount of water as well but do not be concerned if the kitten plays in it rather than drinks it. Continue offering the water until the kitten is eating well.
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Place a small box filled with kitty litter (non-clumping) or sand in the box with the kitten. Pick up any droppings left outside of the litter box and place them in the box to help your kitten realize where to eliminate.
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Tips & Warnings
A healthy kitten will sleep the majority of the time. If a kitten is crying, it is either hungry, cold or in need of attention.
If kittens are sucking on their littermates, particularly in the genital area, separate them for several days. The sucking can cause soreness and possibly an infection.
Only warm the amount of milk that will be used at each feeding and throw out any leftover milk. Harmful bacteria will develop in milk that has been warmed.
Never use cow's milk; use only KMR or "Just Born" kitten-specific milk formulas.
References
- Photo Credit kitten image by Natalia Kosyanenko from Fotolia.com
