How to Take Care of 10 Day Old Kitten

A kitten that is 10 days old still needs the intensive care that a newborn one does if there is no mother cat present. Kittens this small are vulnerable to diseases, and have a hard time regulating their body temperature. While it is always best to let the mother do the work, or to find a foster mom cat to care for the kitten, it is possible to raise a kitten at this young of an age. At 10 days old, the kitten will be starting to open its eyes, although it may not have teeth yet or even be able to stand or walk.

Things You'll Need

  • Warming pad
  • Clean soft towels or blankets
  • Box or carrier
  • Kitten bottle
  • Kitten formula
  • Textured gauze pads or washcloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make a warm nest for your kitten. Place a warming pad in the bottom of a box or carrier and cover it with clean, soft blankets or towels. One area of the box should only have a blanket to allow for a cooler area, should the kitten get overheated. Also, the heating pad should be set to its lowest temperature.

    • 2

      Mix the formula according to directions, and feed the kitten as needed with the bottle. At this point the kitten does not need to eat as often as it did when it was a newborn, but it will still need to be fed about four times a day.

    • 3

      Kittens are not born knowing how to go to use the litter box, and need to be taught. Even at 10 days old, they need to be reminded to do this. Dip the gauze or washcloth in warm water, and gently wipe the anal and urinary area of the kitten with it. This mimics the mother's tongue and reminds the kitten to do what it needs to do.

    • 4

      Bathe the kitten in the same manner with a clean washcloth and warm water. This will also help to teach the kitten to clean itself when it gets older.

    • 5

      Put kitten formula in a small bowl when the cat is about four weeks old. You can also offer dry food at this time, as the kitten should have teeth by then. After eating, put the kitten in a litter box to teach it how to use it. Use a clay based litter at this point because the kitten will play in the litter box. Once it is going to the bathroom on its own, you will not need to wipe its bottom any longer.