Newborn Kittens How To Care For Them

You will want to make sure he or she is stable first and given a once over by a doctor.

Newborn kittens how to care for them. They require attention and care around the clock. If the kitten doesn t eat check to make sure the bottle s nipple is not clogged. Gently place the bottle nipple in the kitten s mouth and the newborn kitten should begin to eat. 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.

Newborn kittens get cold very easily. These antibodies last for six weeks or more. Newborn to 72 weeks. Use a large enough box to comfortably hold the mother cat and her kittens.

For more on kitten care read kitten care stages. A two week old kitten can be fed every four to six hours. Your primary concern in caring for your newborn kitten is temperature regulation. This will continue until they gradually transition to solid foods when they are around four weeks old weaning.

The first milk produced called colostrum is rich in antibodies and will help protect kittens against diseases. If you have recently taken in some newborn kittens you will have your work cut out for you. Chilling is one of the most critical dangers to newborn kittens. 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.

Look at the kittens soon after birth look at the kittens. A kitten with a low body temperature is in danger feeding that kitten can actually be dangerous. The mother might use the box to give birth but she might choose her own place. Caring for newborn kittens is hard work.

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. If you are using a brand new bottle cut a small hole in the nipple using small and sharp scissors. Newborn kittens should get all of their nutrition from their mother. Stack clean towels to line it.

If the mother cat is still in the picture she can provide most of the kittens needs herself. To feed a kitten place the kitten belly down on a towel on your lap. Newborn kittens may nurse about every 1 2 hours. Be sure the kitten is warm before beginning to feed him or her.