Infants

How Do I Take Care of Newborn Kittens?

I found some newborn baby kittens in the backyard and the momma cat hasn't been back in a long time. I'm taking them in, but don't know much about cats (I'm a dog person). Since it's Saturday, all the shelters and vets, etc are closed and I just want to care for these babies. I went to Petco and got some milk formula for them and tried feeding them. They're together with blankets in a crate. Also, I know about cleaning them around feeding time. What else should I be doing to take care of them? Are there any tips on getting them to eat? Thanks!

Public Comments

1. So far, so good and you are knowledgeable and doing a great job. I'm sure someone here will have a website you can go to to learn all you need to know. Good luck!
2. Caring for puppies and kittens are about the same. Did you buy the little bottles when you bought the formula? Warm the milk like you would a baby's formula. Make sure the hole in the bottle is big enough for the milk to come out. They are not going to eat very much at first. Just give them what they want. If they do not want to take the bottle you may have to feed them with a dropper.After they eat, you need to wipe their little bottoms with a warm washcloth to help them go to the bathroom. Good luck with those babies. Oh, they should be fed about every 2 hours.
3. Just make sure you keep them warm and kindof bound up when feeding them. Make sure the bottle nipple isn't too large and just rub the milk onto their mouths, if they are healthy and hungery then they will eat. Just remember they need to eat every 2 hours.
4. Raising newborn kittens,lcan be a challenge at best. If you have the mental and physical stamina to nurse newborns, keep them warm, and handle all their physical needs then they should survive. your supplies. Sterilize the kitten-sized baby bottles and nipples in a boiling water bath for about 5 minutes. Cool before using. Place a large towel, a rough-textured washcloth and a bowl of warm water on a table next to a comfortable chair. Fill bottle with desired amount (see tips) of commercial kitten milk replacement such as KMR, or an emergency formula if you can't get to a pet food store right away. Warm the formula by placing the bottle in a bowl of very hot water, then test it against your forearm. It should be 95° to 100° fahrenheit, or approximately body temperature. Test the nipple to ensure the flow is just right. Sit in the chair with the towel folded in your lap. Place the kitten prone (face down) on your lap. Make sure the kitten is warm before feeding. Feeding formula to a cold kitten can cause serious digestive problems. Without raising the kitten's head, place the nipple in his mouth. He should start nursing right away. If all goes well, let him continue nursing until finished. Do not overfeed. If the kitten does not start nursing right away, or if he seems to have trouble getting the milk, check the nipple again. It should not drip milk when held upside down, but should drip given a small amount of pressure. It may also be helpful to stroke his head or gently pet his back to start his nursing reflexes, but once he gets the idea, he will nurse readily. KMR formula , divided into 9 - 12 feedings a day, depending on his size and condition. Count on feeding them every two hours or so, around the clock, for starters. Yes, it's a demanding job, but intensely rewarding to watch your newborn develop and grow Much like human babies, kittens may need "burping" after nursing. This is best accomplished by holding one hand under his abdomen and gently patting his upper back. Not too hard - you don't want him to vomit. If he doesn't burp right away, go to step #6. The mother cat will stimulate her kitten's elimination by licking his anus and genital area with her rough tongue. You can emulate this process with a warm, damp, rough washcloth or dampened paper towel. It may take a couple of feedings to see results, so don't despair if he doesn't defecate right away. Urinating may take a bit longer. Your kitten will want to sleep after nursing, so put him back into his bed to let him sleep undisturbed. Your newborn kitten will need approximately 32 cc (1.1 oz.) of Newborns will weigh an average of 3.5 ounces at birth and may double their weight by the end of the first week. They are simply little food processing factories at this point, and their only activities are nursing, sleeping, and passing waste. There is very little social interaction at this age, other than competing for their favorite nipple, where they will suckle while kneading with their tiny paws. Although their ear canals are not completely open the first week, kittens may have a reflex action to sudden noise. The body temperature of a newborn is only 95° fahrenheit, and their shivering reflex is not yet developed, so it is extremely important to keep them warm during this time, especially if they are orphans or rescues without a mother cat.
5. KMR is the only milk for kittens - the other stuff is a treat and is a gimmick with no nutritional value... KMR is very expensive.. you need to bottle feed it to them and you will need to stimulate them to pee and poop by wipeing their bums with warm wet cloth or pads they need to be feed ever 4 hours, every 6 over night... really the best thing is to turn them over to a shelter or SPCA who will look after them properly - you need to report finding them to the SPCA incase somebody owns the mom and is wondering where her kittens are...infact if you find ANY pet without reporting finding it - you can be charged with theft
6. When I was in a similar situation with my cat Gideon, I bought the tiny bottles and special formula at Petco. He had trouble sipping the milk from the bottle so I had to cut it. Once he didn't have to 'suck' so hard to get the milk he ate every 2 hours like clock work. I kept Gideon in a smalll box with some towels/blankets. Good luck with your kittens. I would take them to the vet on Monday.