The Care and Feeding of Orphaned Kittens

You should never remove kittens from their mother prior to 4-8 weeks of age. The mother cat’s milk contains her built in immunities which helps to protect the kittens from disease. She also helps keep them clean and warm and even helps stimulates their urination and defecation. The natural instincts of a mother cat are amazing. All this said; it is also incredible how often the Animal Shelter of Clarendon County recieves calls to care for orphaned kittens. Sometimes the mother cat has met an untimely death or the liter of kittens were disturbed and the mother cat frightened away. The following guidelines are designed to help you through the heart wrenching and rewarding task of raising orphaned kittens and helping them grow into healthy and happy felines.

It is important to understand from the outset that even if you devote the time and energy to do everything possible for these poor orphans; you may still end up loosing them to diseases such as distemper or to a problem called “fading kitten syndrome”. Although this may tear your heart; remember that you gave them the best chance you could. Without you they would have no chance at all.

First of all you must keep the kittens warm. For the first two or three weeks, baby kittens cannot maintain their own body heat and require another source to keep them warm. For the first few weeks you can use a big cardboard box with a heating pad on low to keep the kittens safe and warm. Place the heating pad in the bottom and up one side of the box with a small hole for the cord to come through. Place a couple layers of towels on top of the heating pad and have some area for the kittens to move off of the heating pad in case it gets too warm. You can also set a small stuffed animal in the box (especially important if you are working with a single kitten) for the kittens to cuddle with. The towels should be changed when soiled; at least once a day.

Correct feeding is essential. Most pet food stores handle prepared and powdered kitten formula. If you are buying prepared formula; it is recommended that you buy small cans because it must be used within 24 hours after opening. Regular cow’s milk will not sustain kittens, however in an emergency you can mix together 1/2 cup whole milk, 1 egg yolk and one drop of infant vitamins. Do not feed a kitten or cat uncooked egg white.

Bottle feeding is best; although sometimes because of a kitten’s size and ability to suckle, an eye dropper may be necessary in the beginning. Make sure all the equipment is clean and the formula is warm. NEVER FEED COLD FOOD OR FORMULA TO A KITTEN. Check the temperature of the formula by dropping a few drops on your wrist. It should feel close to your own body temperature.

Place a towel underneath the kitten and hold the kitten slightly upright when feeding. The kitten can “knead” the towel with its paws while feeding to simulate normal nursing. DO NOT LAY THE KITTEN ON IT’S BACK WHILE FEEDING. Squeeze some of the formula onto the exterior of the nipple and insert it into the kitten’s mouth. Do not squeeze formula into the kitten’s mouth. This may cause the kitten to breath some milk into it’s lungs and cause pneumonia. Allow the kitten to suck the nipple for milk. You should test the bottle ahead of time and make sure the hole is big enough for the kitten to be able to suckle milk easily. Should the kitten start gasping or choking, hold it upside down until it stops. Be patient at first; this is a learning experience for both of you.

During the first few weeks, you should burp the kitten after feeding by gently patting it’s back.

Also after feeding you will need to gently massage its genital area with a warm damp cotton swab or wash cloth to stimulate urination and defecation. This is one of the jobs of the mother cat because a newborn kitten cannot do this on its own. Keep the kitten clean by grooming him/her with a small soft brush which simulates the mother’s tongue. Sometimes you may need to use a warm, slightly damp wash cloth.

The following is a recommended feeding chart:

Newborn kittens will sleep most of the time. If it is crying, it is most often because it is cold and/or hungry. Newborn kittens like newborn babies; they are very fragile and should be handled by properly instructed adults. If your kitten is not eating, crying excessively, has diarrhea or showing any unusual symptoms visit your veterinarian or call the ASCC at  at 473-7075 immediately.

Both overfeeding and underfeeding can cause serious health problems for your kitten. Kittens have small immature kidneys which cannot handle excessive amount of liquid. Overfeeding can cause diarrhea which can also cause dehydration. The kitten’s stool should be firm and yellowish in color. Underfeeding causes the kitten to be restless and cry excessively and eventually will become listless. Weighing your kitten everyday will help you determine if your kitten is getting proper nourishment and thriving.

Approximately 3-4 weeks of age kittens can start to be weaned from milk formula. Milk and can kitten food can be mixed together in a blender or food processor. Put this gruel mixture on a saucer. Start off by putting your finger in the mixture and letting the kitten lick your finger. After he is eating from your finger entice him toward the saucer and show him he can bypass the finger and go directly to the food source.

After your kitten(s) are eating on their own you can start to introduce them to the litter box. They probably have already outgrown their first box. You should still confine them to a small room or large cage especially while you are not watching them. Kittens start to develop their curiosity early and you will want them to be safe. For their first litter box make sure the sides are not too high for them to jump in and out of and use just a small amount of litter. It is amazing how quickly even orphaned kittens will start using the litter box. After feeding set each one in and let their instincts do the rest.

The ASCC desperately needs volunteers who are ready and willing to help raise orphaned kittens. Please call 473-7075 if you would like to help with any of our rescued kittens.