How to Care for Newborn Kittens

Caring for newborn kittens is a challenging task. These tiny kittens require round-the-clock attention and care. When you adopt a few newborn kittens, you will face numerous responsibilities. If the mother cat is present, she can handle all the kittens' needs on her own. You can assist by feeding the mother and avoiding interaction with the kittens during the first week after birth. If the mother cat is absent or unable to care for them, you will take over the role of caregiver. Your responsibilities include feeding, keeping them warm, and even assisting with their bathroom needs.

Consider the circumstances. The care you provide for newborn kittens will depend on several factors: the age of the kittens, whether the mother cat is still caring for them, and the kittens' health. If you have recently taken in a litter separated from their mother, you need to provide them with everything the mother would, such as food, warmth, and assistance with bathroom functions. Take some time to think carefully before deciding to care for kittens.

• If you find a few kittens that you believe have been abandoned or separated from their mother, observe them from a distance of about 10 meters to see if the mother returns.
• If the kittens are in immediate danger, intervene right away without waiting for the mother to return. For instance, you should act immediately if the kittens are at risk, are cold, have been abandoned in a dangerous area such as near traffic, or in an area where aggressive dogs might harm them.

Seek assistance from a veterinarian or local animal rescue center. Don’t assume you must care for the kittens on your own. Caring for newborn kittens is a difficult job, and you may not have everything needed to ensure their survival. Reach out to a veterinarian or a local animal rescue center for help. They might even provide a surrogate mother for the kittens to receive proper nutrition or assist you with bottle feeding them.

Feed the mother cat if she is still with her kittens. If the mother cat is present and taking care of her kittens, it’s best to let her handle it, as this will yield the best results for the kittens. However, you can still support her by providing food and shelter. Just ensure that the food and shelter are placed in a separate area, as the mother may refuse assistance if it’s not in her space.

Feed the kittens. If the mother cat is no longer around or unable to care for the kittens, you will need to prepare food and feed them yourself. The type of food will depend on the kittens’ age. Be sure to consult a veterinarian regarding any special dietary needs for the kittens.

• For kittens aged 1-2 weeks, feed them milk replacement formula using a bottle every 1-2 hours. Do not give them cow's milk as their digestive system cannot handle it.
• For kittens aged 3-4 weeks, pour the milk replacement formula into a shallow dish and add some wet cat food softened with water. Feed them 4-6 times a day.
• For kittens aged 6-12 weeks, reduce the milk replacement formula and start providing dry kitten food. Feed them 4 times a day.

Weigh the kittens weekly. To ensure the kittens are receiving enough nutrition and gaining weight, weigh them weekly and track their progress. Kittens should gain approximately 49.6g to 99.2g each week. If you’re concerned that the kittens are not gaining weight fast enough, consult a veterinarian.

Avoid handling newborn kittens during their first week if the mother cat is still around. The mother may abandon her kittens or become stressed if they are handled too much, so it's best to let them be while she is present. However, starting from week 2 to 7, it is important for the kittens to gradually become accustomed to human touch.

Handle kittens gently. Be extremely careful when picking up newborn kittens. If there are young children in the house who want to hold the kittens, teach them how to handle them gently and ensure that the kittens are not picked up without adult supervision. Newborn kittens are fragile, and even a small child can cause significant harm.

Create a cozy bed for the kittens. If the kittens don’t have a place to sleep, make sure to arrange a warm, dry, and safe spot away from predators. Ensure the area is not too close to fire, water, or drafts. You can use a cardboard box or a kitten crib lined with clean towels or blankets.

Keep the kittens warm. If the mother is no longer present, you’ll need to use a heating pad or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to maintain warmth. Just ensure the kittens can move away from the heat source if it becomes too hot. Check regularly to ensure they are comfortable.

If the mother cat is still around and capable of caring for her kittens, allow her to help them relieve themselves. During the first few weeks of a kitten's life, the mother cat licks the kitten's genital area to stimulate urination and defecation. Do not interfere while the mother cat is attending to this task.

If the mother cat is no longer present, you'll need to assist the kitten with urination and defecation during the first few weeks of its life. Use a damp cloth or gauze to gently massage the kitten's genital area until it urinates and/or defecates. Immediately wash or dispose of the cloth and dry the kitten before returning it to its littermates.

Encourage kittens to use a litter box when they are about four weeks old. At this age, they are typically ready to start using the litter box. Place a kitten in the box after it has eaten, and once it has used the box, return it to the litter and place another kitten in the box. Allow each kitten a few minutes to use the box after each meal.

Keep an eye on any potential issues with the kittens. If you notice any kitten unable to urinate or defecate after being stimulated or placed in the litter box, contact a veterinarian immediately to determine the cause. The kitten may be constipated or may have an obstruction that needs to be addressed.

• Don't hesitate to seek help from a veterinarian or your local animal rescue organization. They may have volunteers available who can assist with caring for the kittens, increasing their chances of survival.
• Do not allow children under 8 years old to hold kittens without supervision until the kittens are at least 5-6 weeks old.

• Do not hold the kitten like you would an infant when feeding with a bottle. Doing so may cause milk to spill into the kitten's lungs. Always ensure the kitten is standing on all fours, either on the floor or in your lap, while eating.
• Remember, never feed kittens cow's milk! It is difficult for them to digest and may make them sick.
• Do not bathe kittens until they are over 9 weeks old, as their mother may reject them if they lose her scent.
• Immediately contact a veterinarian if a kitten shows signs of illness (lethargy, sneezing, loss of appetite, etc.). Kittens can die if they become ill or malnourished.

If you plan to give away a newborn kitten, make sure they are placed in a well-ventilated cardboard box with plenty of bedding and food to help them survive. Kittens must be kept warm, especially when exposed to cold weather.