It's difficult to care for newborn kittens.They need to be looked after around theclock.If you have recently taken in some newborn kittens, you will have a hard time.Most of the kittens needs can be met by the mother cat if she is still in the picture.You can support her by feeding her and leaving the kittens alone.If the mother cat is unable to care for her babies, then you will have to take over her responsibilities.Feeding the kittens, keeping them warm, and even helping them go to the bathroom are some of the things this will include.
Step 1: Take a moment to think about the situation.
If the mother cat is still caring for the kittens, then the care that you give them will depend on how healthy they are.If you find a litter of kittens that have been separated from their mother, you will need to provide the things a mother cat would, such as food, warmth, and help with toileting.Before you start caring for the kittens, take some time to think about the situation.If you find some kittens that have been abandoned or separated from their mother, you should be able to see if the mother cat comes back.Without waiting for the mother cat to come back, you will need to intervene if the kittens are in danger.If the kittens are in danger of freezing from the cold, left in a place that they might get run over or stepped on, or in an area where dogs might harm them, you should immediately intervene.
Step 2: You can get help from a shelter.
You don't need to provide care for these kittens on your own.It is difficult to care for newborn kittens and you may not have everything you need.Call your local animal shelter for help.They may be able to provide a surrogate mother to help the kittens get proper nutrition or they can help you with bottle feeding.
Step 3: If the mother cat is still alive, give her some food.
The kittens will be better off if the mother cat is still present and taking care of them.You can still help the mother cat by giving her food and shelter.She may not accept both the food and shelter if you keep them in separate areas.
Step 4: The kittens need to be fed.
If the mother cat is unable to care for her kittens, you will need to prepare their food and feed them yourself.The age of the kittens will affect the type of food you prepare.Ask your vet if your kittens have special feeding needs.When the kittens are 1-2 weeks old, bottle feed them with a commercial milk replacer formula.Cow's milk is hard for kittens to digest so don't give it to them.When the kittens are 3-4 weeks old, provide formula in a shallow dish as well as some kitten food that has been softened with water.These foods can be offered 3-6 times per day.When the kittens are 3-6 weeks old, give them dry kitten food instead of giving them formula.These foods can be offered 4 times a day.
Step 5: The kittens should be weighed once per day.
To make sure that the kittens are getting proper nutrition and putting on weight, you need to weigh them every day and keep a record of their weights.The kittens should gain up to 1/2 ounce per day.If you're concerned that the kittens aren't gaining enough weight, talk to your vet.
Step 6: If the mother is around, leave kittens alone for the first week of life.
Mother cats may reject their kittens if they are handled too much, so it is in their best interest to leave them alone if she is still around.It is important to get kittens used to being held by humans from the age of 2-7 weeks.
Step 7: You should gently handle the kittens.
When handling a newborn kitten, be careful.If you have children who will be handling your kittens, teach them how to be gentle and never allow them to hold the kittens unless they are being supervised.A small child could cause serious harm to a kitten.
Step 8: Provide a place for the cats to sleep.
If the kittens don't already have a place to sleep, make sure you provide someplace that is warm, dry, and away from potential predators.The place you choose for the kittens should be out of the weather and away from drafts.A cat carrier lined with clean towels or blankets can be used.
Step 9: The kittens can be kept warm.
If the mother cat is not around, you will need to provide a heating pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to keep the kittens warm.If the kittens become too warm, make sure they get away from the heat.If they seem comfortable, check on them often.
Step 10: Allow the mother cat to help her cats if she is able to.
The mother cat needs to help her cats use the bathroom.During the first few weeks of their lives, mother cats lick their babies genital regions to help them urinate and defecate.The mother cat is helping her babies.
Step 11: If necessary, help the kittens urinate/defecate.
You will need to help the kittens to urinate and defecate if the mother cat isn't around.To gently rub each kitten's genital region until it urinates and/or defecates, use a wet washcloth or piece of damp gauze.Before putting the kitten back in with his litter mates, wash or discard the cloth and dry him off.
Step 12: The litter box should be used for at least four weeks.
The kittens will be ready to use the litter box at about four weeks.Place a kitten in the litter box after it has eaten.When the kitten has used the box, put it back in with its litter mates and then put the next one in it.The box should be used a few minutes after each meal.
Step 13: There are problems to watch for.
If you notice that the kittens aren't urinating or defecating when you help them or put them in the litter box, then you should contact a vet immediately.The kitten will need to be removed if it is constipated.