How to take care of newborn kittens

Caring for newborn kittens is a tricky business. They need attention and care all the time. If you are responsible for newborn kittens, you will need to put a lot of effort into caring for them. If the mother cat is still around, she will take care of the kittens' needs on her own. You can help her by feeding her and leaving the little ones alone for the first week. If the mother is not around, or if she is unable to take care of them, you will have to carry out her duties. This includes feeding the little ones, keeping them warm, and helping them relieve themselves.


Feeding


How to take care of newborn kittens

1.
The attention you should give to kittens depends on several things: their age, the presence or absence of their mother, and the health of the kittens. If you find the babies separated from the mother, then you will need to provide them with what their mother can do, such as food, warmth and help with defecation. and you must think about it and take the time to look at it before you decide to take care of them.
If you find newborn kittens and you think their mother abandoned them or separated from them, watch them from 10 meters away, for example, to see if the mother will return or not.
If the kittens are in immediate danger, you will have to intervene without waiting for the mother to return. For example, if they are in danger of freezing from the cold, or are left in a place that could expose them to being run over, or in an area where dogs could harm them, you should intervene immediately.


How to take care of newborn kittens

2. Seek help from your veterinarian or animal shelter. 
Don't feel that you have to take care of these little ones on your own. Caring for them can be difficult, and you may not have the experience to ensure their survival. Contact the vet or shelter for help. They may be able to provide a surrogate mother to help the little ones get the correct nutrition, or they may supply you with a bottle of food.



How to take care of newborn kittens

3. Add food for the mother cat if she is around. 
If the mother is present and takes care of the babies, it would be best to let the mother take care of them. But you can still help by putting food on and providing shelter for the mother. Just make sure to put the food and shelter in two different places or else the mom won't accept them.


How to take care of newborn kittens

4. Feed the little ones. 
If the mother is not around or unable to take care of the kittens, you will need to prepare their food and feed them yourself. The type of food you will give them will depend on their age. Make sure to consult your veterinarian about any special food they may need.
When the kittens are a week or two old, feed them every two hours using a bottle of commercial breastmilk substitute. Do not give them cow's milk because it is difficult for them to digest it.
When they are 3-4 weeks old, place the milk in a deep dish next to some kitten food diluted with water, 4-6 times daily.
When they are 6-12 weeks old, increase the amount of milk, and start feeding them dried cat food 4 times daily.


How to take care of newborn kittens

5. Weigh the kittens once a week. 
To make sure cats are getting adequate food and gaining weight, they will need to be weighed once a week and recorded. Cats should only gain two quarter to three and a half ounces per week. Talk to the vet if your cat does not gain weight quickly enough.


Handling and protection



How to take care of newborn kittens

1. Leave the babies alone for the first week if the mother is present. 
If the little ones are carried too often, the mother will reject them, so it is best for them to leave them alone if the mother cat is around. However, at 2-7 weeks of age, it is important to accustom them to being carried by humans.


How to take care of newborn kittens

2. Carry the little ones gently. 
Be careful when handling a little kitten. If you have children, teach them how to be gentle and only carry cats under your supervision. Baby kittens are very fragile and even a small child can seriously damage them.


How to take care of newborn kittens

3. Create a place for the kittens to sleep. 
If the little ones don't have a place to sleep, be sure to provide them with one, as long as it is warm, dry, and away from potential hazards. Make sure that the location you choose is away from drafts. You can use the cat litter box and surround it with clean towels or linens.


How to take care of newborn kittens

4. Warm the cats up. 
If the mother is around, you will need to provide a heating pad or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to keep them warm. Just make sure cats can stay out of that heat when they get very warm. Check them every once in a while to make sure they are comfortable.


Defecating



How to take care of newborn kittens

1. Let the mother cat help the little ones if you are around. 
If she is by their side and she wants to help them relieve themselves, let her do her job. During the first weeks of the baby's life, the mother will lick their sensitive areas to stimulate them to urinate and defecate. Do not intervene when you find the mother doing it.


How to take care of newborn kittens

2. Help the cats relieve themselves when necessary. 
If the mother is not around, you will need to help the babies to relieve themselves during their first weeks. Use a wet cloth or an old piece of clothing and massage their sensitive areas gently and separately until they relieve themselves. Wash the cloth immediately and dry the cats before putting them back in place


How to take care of newborn kittens

3. Encourage them to use the litter box from 4 weeks old.
At 4 weeks old, kittens will be ready to start using the litter box. To motivate them to use it, place each cat in the box after eating. When she is done using the box, return it to her place next to her buddies and repeat the process with another kitten. Let each one use the box for two minutes after each meal.


How to take care of newborn kittens

4. Watch out for problems.
If you notice that any of them do not urinate or defecate when receiving help or when placing them in the litter box, you should contact a veterinarian immediately and find out what happens. She may be constipated or have a blockage that needs to be removed.



Helpful ideas
Don't be afraid to seek help from your veterinarian or an animal shelter in your area. They may have volunteers available that can help you take care of the cats and increase their chances of survival.
Don't let your children under the age of 8 carry kittens without direction until the kittens are 5 to 6 weeks old.


Warnings
Do not carry a nursing kitten like a human baby while feeding with a bottle. This will make the milk reach her lungs. Put the kitten on all of it four legs on the floor or on your lap during mealtime.
Do not feed newborn cats cow's milk! It is difficult for them to digest, which leads them to fatigue.
Do not bathe the kittens before the age of nine weeks, or their mother will abandon them due to the loss of the scent that recognizes them.
If you find a kitten sick, contact your veterinarian immediately (symptoms such as cold, lethargy, not eating, etc.). Cats may die if they become ill or malnourished.

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