How to Take Care of an Abandoned Newborn Kitten

Caring for abandoned newborn kittens requires time and attention. You must take the place of the kittens' mother. This means providing balanced nutrition, giving the kittens a safe and warm place to grow, getting them medical attention when necessary, and helping them to eliminate food. In the first weeks of their lives, kittens need frequent attention. You may need help from a friend or loved one to ensure that the kittens receive proper care. Newborn kittens do not have fully developed immune systems that can fight off diseases. Keep their environment clean, and consult a veterinarian to ensure their health.

Things You'll Need

  • Feeding bottle
  • Kitten formula
  • Cloth
  • Rectal thermometer
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Instructions

  1. Feeding

    • 1

      Pour kitten formula into a feeding bottle.

    • 2

      Place the bottle in a pan of water on your stove. Heat on low until the formula is warm but not hot. Test the formula against your arm if you're unsure. If you barely feel it against your skin, it's ready.

    • 3

      Shake the bottle to mix the formula.

    • 4

      Place the kitten on its belly. Gently put the tip of the bottle into its mouth. Do not tilt the kitten's head. Instead, let the kitten nurse in a position similar to the one it would take if nursing from its mother.

    • 5

      Stroke the kitten's head while it nurses. Let the kitten finish naturally. Take care not to feed it too little or too much. PetEducation.com recommends feeding newborns 1 ml of formula every hour for their first 24 to 48 hours. After that initial period, feed kittens between nine and 12 times per day.

    • 6

      Rub the kitten's back to burp it.

    Elimination

    • 7

      Dampen two soft cloths for each kitten shortly after feeding. Make sure the cloths are warm.

    • 8

      Rub each kitten's genital and anal areas with a cloth until they urinate and defecate. Until around 21 days old, kittens do not possess enough muscle control to eliminate wastes on their own. You must stimulate their muscles for them.

    • 9

      Clean each kitten with a damp cloth. Make sure the kittens are warm and dry before returning them to their box.

    • 10

      Examine the kittens' stool and urine. A health kitten's urine will be clear or light yellow, and its stool will be brown and formed.