Tips on Feeding & Caring for Abandoned Kittens

If you find a nest of kittens that are filthy and crying -- a sign that they are hungry -- they have likely been lost or abandoned by their mother, who would otherwise nourish and groom them. Ideally, kittens should consume maternal milk, which is rich in antibodies, during their first four weeks of life. It is in the kittens' best interest to make sure the mother really is gone before stepping in.

  1. Identifying Age

    • The age of the kittens will determine how you should care for them. If the kittens' eyes are sealed and their ears are folded down, they are less than two weeks old. If the eyes are open, note how well they are able to walk. A kitten that wobbles is likely between two and three weeks old, while one that walks steadily is three to four weeks old. Older kittens can run, making them very difficult to catch.

    Nest

    • Create a nest for the kittens by lining a box or carrier with towels. Use another towel or a blanket to cover the container. Kittens that are three weeks old or younger cannot generate their own body heat, therefore you must provide a heat source, such as a heating pad or hot water bottle. Both should be wrapped with a towel. If you opt for a heating pad, use the lowest setting. Heat hot water bottles to approximately 100 degrees F. You can also place a heat lamp over the nest. Allow the kittens enough space to move away from the heat source when they so desire.

    Feeding

    • The kitten's body temperature should be about 90 degrees F before you attempt feeding it. Kittens three weeks old and younger require bottle feeding. Never feed kittens -- or any cat -- cow's milk, which lacks essential nutrients and can upset their digestive system. Instead, purchase a kitten milk replacement formula and a nursing kit at a pet supply store. Boil bottles and nipples in water before each feeding. Kittens two weeks old and younger must be fed six times a day, followed by four daily feedings at three weeks, and three daily feedings at four weeks. Most kittens can be weaned at four to five weeks. Begin by mixing the milk replacement formula with meat-based baby food, gradually add less of the former and more of the latter.

    Excretion

    • Kittens less than four weeks old cannot urinate or defecate without stimulation. After feedings, a mother cat will lick the kittens' genitals and rectum. In her absence, you will need to simulate this process by massaging the anal and urinary areas using a wet cotton ball or gauze.

    Hygiene

    • After each feeding, use a slightly damp towel to clean the kitten's fur. Bathing kittens is not recommended. If a kitten has fleas, however, you might need to bathe it in addition to removing the fleas with a flea comb. A citrus-based dish-washing liquid -- make sure it is not antibacterial -- is gentle enough for kittens, and kills fleas.