How to Take Care of Abandoned Newborn Kittens

Surrogates can successfully take care of newborn kittens.

Mother cats provide seemingly effortless, optimum care for their newborns, but if their expert care isn't available, kittens end up struggling to survive. Fortunately, abandoned newborns can be successfully reared by surrogate parents who keep them warm, feed them appropriately, keep them clean, and provide a nurturing environment. Consult a veterinarian if the kittens show any signs of illness in case they pose a health risk to you or your other pets.

Things You'll Need

• Box
• Newspaper
• 2 bath towels
• 3 hand towels
• Hot water bottle
• Stuffed animal
• Milk formula
• 4 syringes, 3 cc
• Washcloths
• Antibacterial wipes

Instructions

Preparing a Shelter

1. Place a thick layer of newspaper in the bottom of a box, and then line it with a bath towel.

2. Fill the hot water bottle with warm water, and wrap it with the hand towel or a similar cloth.

3. 

   A stuffed animal will mimic the size and comfort a mother cat would provide.

   Place a medium-size stuffed animal in the box with the hot water bottle to simulate a mother cat.

4. 

   Newborn kittens feel safe in dim lighting.

   Place kittens in the box and cover the box with a second bath towel (or similar cloth) to make it dim and to hold in heat.

Feeding the Kittens

1. 

   Make just enough formula for a single feeding.

   Mix milk formula according to the directions on the package. You can find formulas appropriate for kittens at pet stores or through a veterinarian.

2. 

   A syringe mimics a teat while measuring how much the kitten eats.

   Fill a syringe to the appropriate amount and lay it out on a hand towel where you plan to feed the kittens. Lay out washcloths.

3. 

   Kittens will "nurse" enthusiastically once they figure out your feeding system.

   Wrap a kitten in a hand towel and hold it in one hand while you slowly offer it drops of milk formula from the syringe. Keep track of how much each kitten eats.

4. 

   Damp washcloths simulate a mother cat's rough tongue.

   Clean the kitten using a damp washcloth. Wipe away extra milk as well as dirt.

Cleaning the Box

1. Move kittens to a temporary container or blanket.

2. Remove the stuffed animal and the water bottle. Surface clean them with antibacterial wipes.

3. Replace the newspaper and towel lining as needed. Refresh and re-wrap the hot water bottle. Place the stuffed animal, hot water bottle and kittens back in the box.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can't find a hot water bottle, a warmed rice bag or a heating pad will work.

• Carefully monitor the temperature of the hot water bottle, rice bag or heating pad so the kittens do not get burned or too cold.

References

• FeralCat.com: Health Care for Feral Cats
• Kitten Rescue: What to Feed

Resources

• Cat Channel: Kittens