Newborn Kittens How To Care For Them

Be sure the kitten is warm before beginning to feed him or her.

Newborn kittens how to care for them. Newborn kittens get cold very easily. Use a large enough box to comfortably hold the mother cat and her kittens. Provide blankets a heat lamp or a heating pad to ensure the kittens stay warm. If you are using a brand new bottle cut a small hole in the nipple using small and sharp scissors.

For more on kitten care read kitten care stages. After that it s best to start socializing them by handling them a few times a day picking them up and touching them all over usually between weeks two and seven as this is considered a fundamental time in their social development. Orphaned neonatal kittens require around the clock care so you ll want to establish a routine of care every 2 4 hours the younger they are the more frequent the intervals between feedings it s normal for the kittens to sleep just make sure they are in a safe and confined space. If the kitten doesn t eat check to make sure the bottle s nipple is not clogged.

The mother might use the box to give birth but she might choose her own place. Newborn kittens should get all of their nutrition from their mother. Caring for newborn kittens is hard work. If you have recently taken in some newborn kittens you will have your work cut out for you.

Stack clean towels to line it. Look at the kittens soon after birth look at the kittens. These antibodies last for six weeks or more. This will continue until they gradually transition to solid foods when they are around four weeks old weaning.

To feed a kitten place the kitten belly down on a towel on your lap. The first milk produced called colostrum is rich in antibodies and will help protect kittens against diseases. A kitten with a low body temperature is in danger feeding that kitten can actually be dangerous. You will want to make sure he or she is stable first and given a once over by a doctor.

If the mother cat is still in the picture she can provide most of the kittens needs herself. A two week old kitten can be fed every four to six hours. Line the box with layers of newspapers and place the box in a warm dimly lit quiet place such as a closet or a corner where there isn t much activity. Newborn to 72 weeks.

They require attention and care around the clock. Your primary concern in caring for your newborn kitten is temperature regulation. Newborn kittens may nurse about every 1 2 hours. At about three to four weeks old they can be offered milk replacer from a bowl and then small amounts of moistened kitten food four to six times a.