How to Care for an Orphaned Kitten Under Three Weeks Old

Caring for an orphaned newborn kitten is a noble but difficult task. Humans cannot fully replace the mother cat, and the process of raising and nurturing a kitten requires significant time and effort. Unfortunately, there are times when the mother cat is unable to care for her young or abandons them. In these situations, human intervention is necessary to ensure the kitten’s survival. Before you start caring for the orphaned kitten, it's important to contact a local animal shelter or a veterinarian to see if another mother cat can be found to foster the kitten. Some mother cats may accept and nurse the orphaned kitten, which is the best possible outcome. If that’s not possible, you'll need to create a nurturing environment and learn the proper feeding and care methods for a kitten under three weeks old.

Learn the proper technique for holding a kitten. Always wash your hands before and after handling the kitten, as they may carry diseases or be vulnerable to infections from germs on your hands. When holding the kitten, be extremely gentle. Always check to ensure the kitten stays warm by feeling the pads of their feet for coldness, as they may start crying when they feel chilly.

• If you have other pets in your home, it’s important to keep the orphaned kitten separate from them for at least two weeks. Do not allow the kitten to share a litter box, food, or water bowl with other animals to prevent the spread of disease.

Keep kittens warm. Newborn kittens (under 2 weeks old) are unable to regulate their body temperature and typically stay warm by cuddling with their mother. Without their mother nearby, it's important to provide a heating pad designed for puppies or kittens. Place the kitten on a heat pad, ensuring it doesn’t make direct contact unless covered by a layer of fur. If there is no fur covering, wrap a towel around the pad.

• Do not allow the kitten to directly touch the heating pad as they may experience localized burns or heat shock.
• You can also use a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel, but check regularly to maintain the temperature (around 37°C).

Design a safe bed for the kitten. Place a box or crate in a quiet, isolated area of your home. The location should be warm and draft-free, away from other pets. Line the box with a towel so the kitten has a cozy resting place. You can also cover the box or crate with a towel to keep it warm.

• Avoid covering the ventilation holes on the box or crate to prevent suffocation.

Place all the kittens together in one spot. There’s no need to separate them into different boxes. Let them lie next to each other to stay warm and more comfortable. The box or crate should have enough space for the kittens to move around.

• For example, the kittens may move towards the heated pad if they feel too warm.

Buy kitten milk replacer. You can choose a brand like Cimicat available at veterinary clinics, large pet stores, or online. This formula is designed for newborn kittens and has similar ingredients to a mother cat’s milk. Do not give kittens cow’s milk as the sugar or lactose can upset their stomachs.

• If you don’t have milk replacer and the kitten is hungry, you can offer cooled boiled water temporarily. Use a dropper or syringe until you can purchase milk replacer at the veterinary clinic or pet store. Water helps keep the kitten hydrated and prevents stomach discomfort.

Prepare the kitten for feeding. Sterilize the bottle and nipple by boiling them in water, then let them cool completely on a clean towel. Use a whisk to mix the milk replacer formula thoroughly. Warm the milk to a temperature between 35-37°C before feeding the kitten. For the final check, drop a few drops on your wrist to ensure the mixture isn't too hot.

• Always keep the kitten warm before feeding. Never feed the kitten if its body temperature is below 35°C, as this can cause pneumonia, making it hard for the kitten to breathe, and even lead to death.

Support the kitten and bottle during feeding. Do not hold the kitten and feed it like a baby. Instead, place the kitten's legs bent and keep its head upright, just like when it nurses from its mother. Hold the kitten’s neck and place the nipple at the side of its mouth, then gently push it into the center of the mouth. The kitten will adjust the nipple for comfort. Allow the kitten to suckle from the bottle on its own, and avoid forcing or squirting milk into its mouth.

• Encourage the kitten to burp after feeding, similar to how you would with a baby. Hold the kitten against your chest, thigh, or shoulder, and gently rub and pat its back with two fingers until it stops burping.
• If the kitten struggles to latch, keep its head steady and prevent it from moving. Feed the kitten again and squeeze out a few drops of milk. This will help the kitten latch on securely.

Feed the kitten regularly. Hungry kittens will cry and squirm, looking for a nipple to suck from. Feed them every 2-3 hours during the first two weeks. Use a special kitten nipple bottle (made by Catac). Follow the instructions on the milk replacer packaging to determine the required amount per feeding. A full kitten will often doze off while nursing and have a round belly.

• In emergencies, use a small medicine dropper or syringe to drip milk into the kitten’s mouth.
• After two weeks, you can feed them every 3-4 hours during the day and every 6 hours overnight.

Help the kitten with elimination. Normally, mother cats lick their kittens' genital areas after each feeding to encourage urination and defecation. Before and after each feeding, use a cotton ball soaked in warm water to wipe the kitten's underside. This stimulates the kitten to eliminate, as it cannot do so on its own until it reaches a few weeks of age. Place the kitten on a clean towel and gently turn it on its side. Use the damp cotton ball to rub the genital area in one direction, avoiding rubbing back and forth to prevent friction. You will notice the kitten starting to urinate or defecate. Continue rubbing until they stop.

• The kitten’s urine is odorless and light yellow, while the feces are light brown. If you notice the feces are white or green, or if the urine is dark with a strong odor, the kitten may be dehydrated or in need of medical care.

Clean the kitten. After feeding and assisting with elimination, you must clean the kitten. Use a warm, damp cloth to gently wipe its fur. Then, thoroughly dry it and place it in the box.

• If you notice dry feces stuck to the kitten’s fur, gently dip its bottom into warm water. Carefully use a cloth to wipe away the loose feces.

Check the kitten's weight. Kittens should gain weight steadily during the first few months. You need to check their weight at the same time every day and record the results. A newborn kitten typically doubles its weight in the first week. After the first week, they should continue to gain about 15 grams per day. If the kitten stops gaining weight or loses weight, it may have a problem and needs to see a vet.

• For example, a newborn kitten typically weighs between 90-110 grams. By around 2 weeks of age, the kitten should weigh about 210 grams. At 3 weeks, they should weigh approximately 300 grams.

Recognize when to take the kitten to the vet. It's essential to take them to the vet as soon as possible for an examination to check for dehydration, worms, parasites, and overall health. Some vet offices offer free check-ups if you are caring for a rescued kitten. You should also be aware of when it's necessary to bring them in for treatment. Take the kitten to the vet if you notice the following signs:

• High or low body temperature (above 39°C or below 37°C)
• Loss of appetite (if the kitten skips a feeding, it requires emergency care)
• Vomiting (if persistent, emergency care is needed)
• Weight loss
• Coughing, sneezing, or discharge from eyes and nose
• Diarrhea (if persistent, emergency care is needed)
• Lack of energy
• Bleeding (requires emergency care)
• Difficulty breathing (emergency care required)
• Injuries, such as being hit by a car, falling, limping, being stepped on, or unconscious (emergency care required)

• Many cities offer spaying and neutering programs for cats.
• Animal shelters are great places for advice and affordable veterinary care and can help find homes for kittens once they are old enough. Some shelters even have volunteers who foster kittens until they are ready for adoption.
• The best place for a newborn kitten is with its mother. Stray kittens should stay with their mother until at least 4 weeks old, if possible. Be sure to observe carefully to determine if they are orphaned or abandoned before you begin caring for them. Sometimes, a mother cat may not venture far from her nest. Abandoned kittens will be dirty and will cry constantly due to hunger and cold.
• If you find a litter of orphaned kittens and are unable to provide the necessary care or do not know who to turn to, take them to a Humane Society or local animal shelter as soon as possible. These organizations are equipped to care for orphaned kittens if you're unable to foster them.
• If there is only one kitten, you can place a small stuffed animal next to it to provide comfort and simulate the presence of its mother and siblings.
• Use a toothbrush to mimic the roughness of a mother cat's tongue after the kitten finishes nursing. Place a ticking clock near the kitten's nest to soothe and comfort them.
• Allow the kitten to hide and do not force them out. They will gradually become more comfortable with you. Place the kitten's nest in a large box to help it feel safe.

• Even with the best care, kittens may still die if they are not nurtured by their mother cat.