Daily Procedures for Newborn Kittens

Caring for newborn kittens is a time- and labor-intensive process, usually provided by the kittens' mother. If the mother is unavailable due to illness, has passed away or has abandoned or rejected the litter, you'll have to provide for the newborn kittens on a daily basis. Raising them by hand ensures the survival and healthy growth of a litter of kittens.

  1. Feeding

    • One important component of newborn kitten care is to ensure each gets a sufficient amount of nutrition each day. If possible, a newborn kitten should feed from its mother for at least 12 to 24 hours to obtain the antibodies present in her milk, called colostrum. If not, you'll need to feed the newborn kitten, from birth, every two hours, approximately 1 1/2 teaspoons (or 8 cc) of formula per ounce of body weight each day, divided into 12 feedings, according to the Pawprints & Purrs website. Feed the kitten a commercial feline milk replacement formula warmed to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit in a kitten-feeding bottle. Burp the kitten after feeding by gently patting its back.

    Environment

    • Newborn kittens require a warm, moist environment to thrive. They can easily become chilled, which can be fatal, because they lack the ability to shiver and control their own body temperatures. Keep the kittens in a nest made up of a small box or basket. Line the nest with a soft blanket or towel wrapped over a heating pad or hot water bottle for warmth. Position the pad or bottle so the kittens have a place in their nest to walk off of the pad so they don't overheat. During the first week of life, maintain a nest temperature of 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the PetEducation website.

    Hygiene

    • Newborn kittens cannot eliminate by themselves until they reach 3 weeks old. You must stimulate the kittens to eliminate either before or after each feeding. Take a cotton ball or fragrance-free baby wipe and use it to gently wipe the anal and genital area of each kitten for one to two minutes. Change the bedding for the kittens daily and wash your hands before feeding or handling the kittens to prevent the spread of disease to these newborns with developing immune systems. Boil kitten feeding bottles and nipples after each feeding to keep them germ-free.

    Health and Socialization

    • Handle kittens from 30 to 40 minutes each day in addition to the time spent feeding them. This socializes them to people. Weigh the kittens daily to ensure they're thriving. If a kitten doesn't gain weight or begins to lose weight, take it to a veterinarian for an exam quickly, as a lack of appetite is an indication of illness. Monitor the rectal temperature of the kittens -- a kitten whose temperature falls below 94 degrees Fahrenheit becomes hypothermic and must be warmed with body heat or a hot water bottle before feeding it, Max's House Animal Rescue recommends.