Newborn Kittens How To Care For Them

Newborn kittens get cold very easily.

Newborn kittens how to care for them. On the first week of the newborn kittens life they should be fed every two to three hours. At about three to four weeks old they can be offered milk replacer from a bowl and then small amounts of moistened kitten food four to six times a. Always check to make sure they feel warm by seeing if the pads of their feet feel cold. If you have recently taken in some newborn kittens you will have your work cut out for you.

To feed a kitten place the kitten belly down on a towel on your lap. For more on kitten care read kitten care stages. When you do pick up the kittens pick them up carefully. If the mother cat is still in the picture she can provide most of the kittens needs herself.

Newborn kittens can t be eaten by itself so you must provide the bottle feeder for it. After that it s best to start socializing them by handling them a few times a day picking them up and touching them all over usually between weeks two and seven as this is considered a fundamental time in their social development. Chilling is one of the most critical dangers to newborn kittens. Give supplements and feeding scheduling.

If the kitten doesn t eat check to make sure the bottle s nipple is not clogged. Provide blankets a heat lamp or a heating pad to ensure the kittens stay warm. Use a large enough box to comfortably hold the mother cat and her kittens. Caring for newborn kittens is hard work.

They may be carrying diseases or be susceptible to germs and bacteria that you ve picked up. They require attention and care around the clock. Gently place the bottle nipple in the kitten s mouth and the newborn kitten should begin to eat. A kitten with a low body temperature is in danger feeding that kitten can actually be dangerous.

Newborn to 72 weeks. Always take care to wash your hands before and after handling the kittens. Filling up the bottle with milk and shake it for a moment before start feeding makes sure the kitten s in well condition means not too cold or warm. Be sure the kitten is warm before beginning to feed him or her.

Newborn kittens may nurse about every 1 2 hours. Orphaned neonatal kittens require around the clock care so you ll want to establish a routine of care every 2 4 hours the younger they are the more frequent the intervals between feedings it s normal for the kittens to sleep just make sure they are in a safe and confined space. A two week old kitten can be fed every four to six hours. If you are using a brand new bottle cut a small hole in the nipple using small and sharp scissors.