How To Take Care of Newborn Kittens?
If you are reading this now, you must have adopted newborn kittens and don’t know what to do or how to take care of them. Well, you have found the right place to begin with. This article will guide you on how to take care of a newborn kitten without a mother.
Just like a human baby, newborn kittens also need special care and attention, not to mention delicate hands too. Also, be prepared for round the clock duty and sleepless nights for feedings. You must be dedicated and willing to put time and effort into taking care of the kitten.
Feeding a newborn kitten
What to feed a newborn kitten? Generally, newborn kittens under the age of 4 weeks cannot eat solid food. They just need milk to keep their tummy full and since their mother is not around, it is up to you to feed them. It is important to know that during the first week of life, these kittens need to be fed every two to three hours a day.
The question is, what milk to feed? There is a special kitten milk replacer which comes in a powder and liquid form. They need to be bottle-fed too. Do not feed cow’s milk or any milk which humans drink. This can cause the kitten to fall ill. If you are not sure of which kitten milk replacer to give, refer to a veterinarian. The kitten replacer milk and bottles are sold in most of the pet stores and comes with instructions on how much to feed based on the kitten’s weight.
When you prepare the bottle, pay attention to the milk flow. Be sure not to cut the hole in the nipple too big which can cause the kitten to drown or aspirate. Read through the instructions on how to prep the nipple for milk flow. Place the kitten on their stomach while nursing it as this is the same way the kitten would feed from its mother.
Bathroom time
Newborn kittens need help for their bathroom time. What you can do is use a damp cloth and rub gently against their genital and anal. This will stimulate the kitten to urinate or defecate. Do this after every feeding for the first three to four weeks of life. Be sure to keep the kitten clean after urination and defecation.
Special bedding
Newborn kittens need to be warm, so it is helpful if you wrap them with towels or soft blankets. Exposing them to cold can cause the kittens to fall ill and what is worrying is that they are not strong enough to fight any diseases. For the time being, keep the kittens in a cat carrier and ensure that it is big enough for your kittens to move around. Reduce touching the kittens unless you must.
Vet visits
It is ideal to bring your kittens for a vet visit during the first four weeks of their life for you to know their health condition and their progress. The vet will also teach you about newborn kitten care, types of milk and food to give. Also, he or she will advise on vaccine shots for the kittens. You can also refer to our veterinarians for any doubts.
To conclude, there are many ways of taking care of newborn kittens and the safest way to learn about it is through the experts. We hope you have learned a thing or two on how to take care of your newborn kittens from this article.
