Information on Newborn Kittens

Taking care of kittens is mainly a task of the birthing cat. But it is important to watch the kittens and female cat, especially during the first few months of life. To safeguard the health of your cat and his or her offspring, you need to be able to handle any predicament and situation that may be encountered during this process.

  1. Provide Warm Environment

    • Keep cats and the kittens living area at around 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the first five days of the kitten's life. Kittens are very small and will have a hard time regulating body temperature. The temperature can gradually be reduced to 80 degrees Fahrenheit between day five and 10. By the end of the fourth week, the temperature can be maintained at a warm 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A chilled kitten is prone to death.

    Weigh The Kittens

    • Weigh the kittens on a daily basis. The kitten should always be gaining weight. Weight gain is going to be in ounces. Be diligent on daily monitoring of its weight. Disease and infection in the kittens manifests itself in rapid weight loss. This warrants an immediate visit to the veterinarian's office. Only hand feed kittens if the kittens are rejected by the mother.

    Sterile Environment

    • Provide a sterile environment to the newborn kittens and the mother. The nest or enclosure that is being used by the female cat and liter should be cleaned on a daily basis. Use newspaper or blankets to line the nest. Do not use pine needles as bedding. Pine can bother the female cat and irritate the sensitive underbelly of the kittens. Keep the mother and kittens away from stray cats to avoid any possible infections or diseases.

    Monitor Activity

    • Monitor the behavior of the female cat. Vaginal discharge from the cat is normal and should stop in a few days. If the cat is behaving normally, eating normally, and catering to the kittens; there is no need to call a vet. Aside from the daily cleaning of the nest, the monitoring of the kitten's weight, and making sure that the female cat is properly nursing the kittens; there is no reason for a person to be pestering them.

    Kitten Food

    • It takes five to 10 days for the kittens to first open their eyes. Kittens are ready to eat specially formulated kitten food after the first month. By this time, the baby teeth will have grown out. When the kittens hit eight to 10 weeks of age, the cats can be safely weaned from the mother's milk. Kittens that are three months of age are old enough for their first vaccinations and adoption.