How to Care for Baby Kittens

Certain requirements must be met in order for baby kittens to thrive. Whether or not the mother cat is still present will play a big part in how much you will have to do. Even if a mother cat is around, however, or you find a surrogate cat to nurse them, there are things you should do to help the kittens' first few months be as easy as possible.

Things You'll Need

  • Warm bedding material
  • Cat milk/formula
  • Pet nursing bottle or clean eyedropper
  • Clean cloths
  • Kitten food
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Instructions

  1. How to Care for Baby Kittens if the Mother Is Absent

    • 1

      Keep the baby kittens in a warm, clean area. You should provide soft, warm and clean bedding material. Young kittens get cold easily and can succumb to hypothermia--that is one reason why kittens usually huddle together the way they do. When the mother is absent, warm bedding material is even more important as they won't have her to snuggle with. According to the "feralcat" website, newborn kittens need to be kept at a temperature of 88 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 2

      Feed orphaned kittens kitten formula from an eye dropper or a kitten-sized nursing bottle. You'll need to feed them often throughout the day. Always hold the bottle or eyedropper in a natural position to the kitten--as if the kitten were nursing from the mother. Do not lay the kitten on its back; it should lie on its stomach to nurse.

    • 3

      Use a damp cloth to wipe across the kittens' rear ends and genital areas to encourage them to eliminate if they are newborns. The mother washes them to accomplish this; when she is absent, it is up to you.

    • 4

      Give orphaned kittens extra attention. Hold them, stroke them and talk to them so that they get used to the human voice and touch.

    • 5

      Start weaning the kittens to kitten food when they are about 4 weeks old (continue to give the formula, too, until they are finished weaning). Start off with canned food or moisten dry food with water.

    How to Care for Baby Kittens if the Mother Is Present

    • 6

      Provide warm bedding, as you would any cat or kittens. The area should be comfortable and private for the mother and her kittens. If it is not, the mother may move the kittens elsewhere.

    • 7

      Check on the kittens daily. Sometimes a mother cat will accidentally suffocate a new kitten or a newborn kitten may die of natural causes. This is unpleasant but not rare.

    • 8

      Watch kittens for any signs of common illnesses, such as conjunctivitis. If you notice any signs, bring the kitten to your veterinarian for medication.

    • 9

      Provide moistened kitten foods when the kittens approach 4 to 5 weeks old. This is the time they usually begin weaning. At this time, make sure you handle them often so they get used to people.