
CARING FOR MOTHERLESS/ABANDONED KITTENS:
Ideally, kittens should remain in the care of their mother until they are at least 6 - 8 weeks of age. The care of a mother cat and the nourishment of her milk provide important antibodies and protection for the kittens as they grow. The mother cat helps to tend to the kittens’ needs every step if the way. However, there are times when a mother cat can no longer care for her kittens (illness, death, abandonment) and the responsibility of raising her litter falls into your hands. It can be a frightening prospect if you have never raised kittens before, but we want to help guide you along the way so that you can provide the best care possible for your kittens in the absence of their mother.
In some cases, a surrogate mother cat can be found (a cat that already has a litter of kittens or a cat that is producing milk that may have lost her kittens). Not all nursing cats will accept new kittens, but if you are able to locate someone that has a mother cat that will care for abandoned kittens (without overwhelming her) then your kittens stand a much better chance of survival and normal, healthy development. Call your local vet clinics, shelters or area rescues to see if they know of a mother cat that is able to take in abandoned kittens.
If you are unable to find a surrogate mother cat for your kittens, or a surrogate mother cat rejects them, the kittens will need you to step in and provide the necessary care. Below is important information that will help you provide the best care possible for your kittens and ensure that their needs are being met.
KEEP THE KITTENS WARM:
Newborn and young kittens are extremely delicate and even the slightest drop in body temperature can be detrimental to their health/well-being. Be sure the kittens have plenty of warm bedding and that they stay bundled together. Kittens will help to keep each other warm, but may need some additional help to maintain a healthy temperature. You may need to keep a heating pad under their blankets, or you can use a rice sock (sock filled with rice or beans, heated for 45 seconds in the microwave) to help provide additional heat if needed. It is very important to protect the kittens from being burned by these items so be sure there is a blanket or pad under the kittens so they do not come into direct contact with the heating source. Another great source of heat is YOU. If your kittens are cold and need immediate heat - place them under your clothes against your skin to help warm them. Another way to keep kittens warm is to confine them to a small room such as a bathroom with a space heater. Again, make them a small nest so they may share their body heat.
FEEDING:
In the absence of mother’s milk, use a formula specifically developed for kittens. NEVER FEED A CAT OR KITTEN COW MILK. Cats are actually lactose intolerant and cow milk can upset their system causing discomfort, gas and/or diarrhea, all of which can be very bad for kittens. There are both liquid and powder options available for kitten formula that can be found at pet stores, through your vet or even at Walmart.
Before feeding, make sure the kitten is warm, your equipment is clean and the formula is prepared to body temperature (100 degrees F) for feedings. If the kitten will suckle (suck) then using a bottle or a cosmetic sponge wedge (cut in half) will work well to feed. To bottle feed, hold the bottle at a 45 degree angle to make sure the formula is always at the nipple. If using a cosmetic wedge, dip the wedge in kitten milk to start the suckling, and continue to supply milk to the sponge by using a syringe as they to nurse (see these videos for more instruction on bottle feeding and wedge feeding). Kittens should be placed on a towel or blanket, lying on their stomach or in an upright position for feedings. Never hold or cradle a kitten on its back to feed. This can cause the kitten to aspirate (inhale the formula). This may put the kitten at risk for developing pneumonia or may even cause death. If the kitten is having ongoing trouble suckling or is not responding well to bottle or wedge feeding, you may need to use an eye dropper or syringe to feed. When feeding a kitten that does not suckle well, be very careful not to force formula into its mouth. This may cause the kitten to aspirate. Also, it is important to prevent air from mixing in with the formula while nursing, so be sure the formula does not have air pockets if using a syringe to feed.
When the kitten has had enough to eat, they will resist more feeding and may hold some of the formula in their mouth, creating little bubbles or foam on the edges of their mouth. This is a good indication they are full. Just as it is important to make sure the kittens are getting enough to eat, you do not want to overfeed them as it can cause diarrhea, discomfort and other problems.
The amount to feed the kittens will depend on their age. In general, newborn kittens need to eat 2 Tbsp of formula each day (about 30cc/mL) during their first week. Feeding needs to occur every 2-3 hours. As the kittens grow, they will need more formula. Typically by the second week, they will be eating twice as much (60cc/mL) per day. By week three, they will eat 80-90cc/mL per day and so on.
Around 4 weeks of age, you can begin to introduce them to kitten food and wean them from bottle feeding. We recommend beginning with a mixture of kitten formula and pate canned kitten food. Blend together to form a gruel that the kittens can easily lap up. Depending on how they do with the gruel, you may need to continue bottle feeding until they are eating well on their own (each kittens' progress may vary). Usually by week 5, kittens can transition to just pate wet food with no trouble, though we suggest instead of blending the food and formula to pour a little of the kitten formula over the pate on a dish so that they can get used to eating the unblended food. Dry kitten kibble can be introduced by week 6. We recommend continuing the wet food along with the dry food to make sure the kittens are getting the hydration they need along the way. It is important to feed them food specifically formulated for growing kittens. For a list of recommended brands to consider, be sure to consult your vet or research kitten food reviews to make sure you are getting a quality food that will offer them the nutrients they need.
POTTYING:
Newborn and young kittens need help eliminating body waste. Mother cats will lick kittens’ genitals and the surrounding area to stimulate the bowels and bladder. You will need to help promote the discharge of waste for the kittens by using a warm, moist cotton ball or tissue or warm damp washcloth. Gently stroke the kitten’s bottom until stimulation occurs. Make sure the area remains clean and free from waste to protect the kittens’ skin. Do this along with each feeding to ensure the kitten’s system is waste free. When kittens are 4 weeks old they should be able to potty on their own and you can begin teaching them how to use a litter box.
GENERAL HEALTH:
Be sure to consult a vet if you notice any problems with your kittens’ development, eating habits, urination/bowel movements or overall health. Kittens that don’t have their mother’s antibodies in their system may be more prone to sickness or slow to develop, so be aware of your kittens’ health and be proactive if something doesn’t seem right to you (diarrhea, dehydration, runny eyes, sneezing, poor appetite, low or high body temperature, stool that has a strong or foul odor or traces of blood, etc).
SUMMARY:
Caring for abandoned/motherless kittens is not an easy job. It requires time, attention, and lots of care, and you need to be prepared for the possibility of losing some of the kittens along the way. However, with knowledge and guidance, you will be able to provide the necessary care for the kittens and know the DO’S and DON’TS that will give your kittens the greatest chance for survival.
Ideally, kittens should remain in the care of their mother until they are at least 6 - 8 weeks of age. The care of a mother cat and the nourishment of her milk provide important antibodies and protection for the kittens as they grow. The mother cat helps to tend to the kittens’ needs every step if the way. However, there are times when a mother cat can no longer care for her kittens (illness, death, abandonment) and the responsibility of raising her litter falls into your hands. It can be a frightening prospect if you have never raised kittens before, but we want to help guide you along the way so that you can provide the best care possible for your kittens in the absence of their mother.
In some cases, a surrogate mother cat can be found (a cat that already has a litter of kittens or a cat that is producing milk that may have lost her kittens). Not all nursing cats will accept new kittens, but if you are able to locate someone that has a mother cat that will care for abandoned kittens (without overwhelming her) then your kittens stand a much better chance of survival and normal, healthy development. Call your local vet clinics, shelters or area rescues to see if they know of a mother cat that is able to take in abandoned kittens.
If you are unable to find a surrogate mother cat for your kittens, or a surrogate mother cat rejects them, the kittens will need you to step in and provide the necessary care. Below is important information that will help you provide the best care possible for your kittens and ensure that their needs are being met.
KEEP THE KITTENS WARM:
Newborn and young kittens are extremely delicate and even the slightest drop in body temperature can be detrimental to their health/well-being. Be sure the kittens have plenty of warm bedding and that they stay bundled together. Kittens will help to keep each other warm, but may need some additional help to maintain a healthy temperature. You may need to keep a heating pad under their blankets, or you can use a rice sock (sock filled with rice or beans, heated for 45 seconds in the microwave) to help provide additional heat if needed. It is very important to protect the kittens from being burned by these items so be sure there is a blanket or pad under the kittens so they do not come into direct contact with the heating source. Another great source of heat is YOU. If your kittens are cold and need immediate heat - place them under your clothes against your skin to help warm them. Another way to keep kittens warm is to confine them to a small room such as a bathroom with a space heater. Again, make them a small nest so they may share their body heat.
FEEDING:
In the absence of mother’s milk, use a formula specifically developed for kittens. NEVER FEED A CAT OR KITTEN COW MILK. Cats are actually lactose intolerant and cow milk can upset their system causing discomfort, gas and/or diarrhea, all of which can be very bad for kittens. There are both liquid and powder options available for kitten formula that can be found at pet stores, through your vet or even at Walmart.
Before feeding, make sure the kitten is warm, your equipment is clean and the formula is prepared to body temperature (100 degrees F) for feedings. If the kitten will suckle (suck) then using a bottle or a cosmetic sponge wedge (cut in half) will work well to feed. To bottle feed, hold the bottle at a 45 degree angle to make sure the formula is always at the nipple. If using a cosmetic wedge, dip the wedge in kitten milk to start the suckling, and continue to supply milk to the sponge by using a syringe as they to nurse (see these videos for more instruction on bottle feeding and wedge feeding). Kittens should be placed on a towel or blanket, lying on their stomach or in an upright position for feedings. Never hold or cradle a kitten on its back to feed. This can cause the kitten to aspirate (inhale the formula). This may put the kitten at risk for developing pneumonia or may even cause death. If the kitten is having ongoing trouble suckling or is not responding well to bottle or wedge feeding, you may need to use an eye dropper or syringe to feed. When feeding a kitten that does not suckle well, be very careful not to force formula into its mouth. This may cause the kitten to aspirate. Also, it is important to prevent air from mixing in with the formula while nursing, so be sure the formula does not have air pockets if using a syringe to feed.
When the kitten has had enough to eat, they will resist more feeding and may hold some of the formula in their mouth, creating little bubbles or foam on the edges of their mouth. This is a good indication they are full. Just as it is important to make sure the kittens are getting enough to eat, you do not want to overfeed them as it can cause diarrhea, discomfort and other problems.
The amount to feed the kittens will depend on their age. In general, newborn kittens need to eat 2 Tbsp of formula each day (about 30cc/mL) during their first week. Feeding needs to occur every 2-3 hours. As the kittens grow, they will need more formula. Typically by the second week, they will be eating twice as much (60cc/mL) per day. By week three, they will eat 80-90cc/mL per day and so on.
Around 4 weeks of age, you can begin to introduce them to kitten food and wean them from bottle feeding. We recommend beginning with a mixture of kitten formula and pate canned kitten food. Blend together to form a gruel that the kittens can easily lap up. Depending on how they do with the gruel, you may need to continue bottle feeding until they are eating well on their own (each kittens' progress may vary). Usually by week 5, kittens can transition to just pate wet food with no trouble, though we suggest instead of blending the food and formula to pour a little of the kitten formula over the pate on a dish so that they can get used to eating the unblended food. Dry kitten kibble can be introduced by week 6. We recommend continuing the wet food along with the dry food to make sure the kittens are getting the hydration they need along the way. It is important to feed them food specifically formulated for growing kittens. For a list of recommended brands to consider, be sure to consult your vet or research kitten food reviews to make sure you are getting a quality food that will offer them the nutrients they need.
POTTYING:
Newborn and young kittens need help eliminating body waste. Mother cats will lick kittens’ genitals and the surrounding area to stimulate the bowels and bladder. You will need to help promote the discharge of waste for the kittens by using a warm, moist cotton ball or tissue or warm damp washcloth. Gently stroke the kitten’s bottom until stimulation occurs. Make sure the area remains clean and free from waste to protect the kittens’ skin. Do this along with each feeding to ensure the kitten’s system is waste free. When kittens are 4 weeks old they should be able to potty on their own and you can begin teaching them how to use a litter box.
GENERAL HEALTH:
Be sure to consult a vet if you notice any problems with your kittens’ development, eating habits, urination/bowel movements or overall health. Kittens that don’t have their mother’s antibodies in their system may be more prone to sickness or slow to develop, so be aware of your kittens’ health and be proactive if something doesn’t seem right to you (diarrhea, dehydration, runny eyes, sneezing, poor appetite, low or high body temperature, stool that has a strong or foul odor or traces of blood, etc).
SUMMARY:
Caring for abandoned/motherless kittens is not an easy job. It requires time, attention, and lots of care, and you need to be prepared for the possibility of losing some of the kittens along the way. However, with knowledge and guidance, you will be able to provide the necessary care for the kittens and know the DO’S and DON’TS that will give your kittens the greatest chance for survival.
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© 2013 The Cat's Meow Rescue. All Rights Reserved.
© 2013 The Cat's Meow Rescue. All Rights Reserved.