Taking care of a cute newborn kitten might seem lovely, but it’s really tough!
If you’re wondering what’s required to look after one, you’ve come to the right place. Our guide will explain everything you need to know—from feeding and keeping them warm to spotting illnesses. We’ve got you covered!
Caring for a Newborn Kitten
Between 0 to 4 weeks old, your little kitten is considered a newborn. During this time, they’re busy learning the basics like meowing, walking, and controlling their body temperature.
Cover the floor of the kitten’s area with a blanket and provide a warm bed. If the kitten doesn’t have a mom, keep them warm and safe until you can see a vet. The vet will check the kitten’s overall health and let you know what they need.
Keeping Your Newborn Kitten Warm
If your young kitten doesn’t have a mom, you’ll need to help them stay warm. You can use a gentle heating pad or disk placed under a blanket in their cage. Make a cozy nest out of soft blankets for your kitten to snuggle in. Make sure the heating pad isn’t too hot by touching it with your hands. Also, provide a cool spot in the cage where they can go if they get too warm. Remember, kittens still need help regulating their body temperature.
Keep providing warmth until they’re about 6 weeks old to prevent them from getting too cold and developing hypothermia. Aim to keep their area at around 85°F or 29°C.
Feeding Your Newborn Kitten
When taking care of a newborn kitten without a mother, it’s crucial to feed them and give them the right nutrition. You’ll need to bottle-feed them with a special kitten formula. Just like people, every kitten is different—they’ll eat different amounts, gain weight at different rates, and have their own food preferences. Daily weight gain shows that their diet is meeting their needs. Weigh kittens at the same time each day, before or after feeding. Kittens should gain about ½ ounce per day or 4 ounces per week. Remember, these numbers may vary depending on the kitten’s circumstances. The most important thing is that they’re gaining weight. Younger kittens, especially those recently separated from their mom, are used to smaller, more frequent feedings.
When bottle-feeding, we’re giving them larger amounts of milk more quickly than a nursing mother would.
Healthy kittens don’t need to be fed every two hours. Let them sleep longer between feedings. Over time, this will stretch their stomachs, allowing them to take in more milk at each feeding, which means fewer feedings overall.
Bottle Feeding Guidelines
- Kittens need to be warm to digest properly, so make sure they’re cozy before feeding.
- Follow the instructions on the kitten milk replacer packaging and stick to the same formula—never give them cow’s milk.
- Typically, kittens should consume about 2 tablespoons or 30 ccs of formula for every 4 ounces of body weight in a 24-hour period. But if they’re gaining weight, they’re getting enough nutrition.
- Kittens that have recently been weaned from their mother will need time to adjust to less frequent feedings.
- After the first few feedings, even the youngest kittens shouldn’t need to be fed every two hours.
- Feed weak, sick, or underweight kittens more often to prevent hypoglycemia.
- Avoid waking a sleeping kitten to feed unless it’s been a significant amount of time. Uninterrupted sleep is crucial for growing kittens.
- Kittens sleep better at night when there are minimal vibrations and disturbances.
General Feeding Guidelines
- Always check the formula’s temperature before feeding—around 100°F (38°C) is ideal, but not too hot. Warm the bottle in hot water or briefly in the microwave, making sure to mix well and test on your wrist.
- Never feed a kitten while it’s lying on its back, as this can lead to aspiration. Instead, place them on their stomach on a towel so they can nurse comfortably.
- When bottle-feeding, gently open the kitten’s mouth with your finger and insert the nipple. Let the kitten nurse at its own pace, watching for signs of successful suckling like ear wiggling and bottle bubbles.
- If a kitten refuses the bottle, try rubbing its forehead or stroking its back as a mother cat would. You can also simulate nursing with a toothbrush.
- If necessary, syringe-feed the kitten, being careful to administer the milk from the side of its mouth to prevent aspiration.
- Have a plan in place for contacting a vet if syringe feeding is needed.
- When feeding multiple kittens, rotate them so each gets a full turn at the bottle. Avoid overfeeding by letting them rest between feedings.
- After feeding, gently clean each kitten with a warm, damp washcloth to mimic grooming by their mother.
- Regularly clean around the kittens’ eyes to prevent infections.
- Watch out for excessive suckling behavior among littermates, as it can indicate stress or hunger. Separate kittens temporarily if needed, but allow supervised playtime and close proximity for comfort.
- Have a plan in place for contacting a vet if any issues arise. Temporary separation is usually only needed for about a week until the suckling reflex diminishes.
Read Also: How Many Kittens Can A Cat Have?
Helping Your Kitten With Elimination
Mother cats groom their kittens to help them pee and poop regularly. As a foster parent, you take on this important task. Very young orphan kittens can’t go to the bathroom on their own, so your help is vital.
Before and after each feeding, gently rub the kitten’s lower belly, genitals, and bottom with a soft, white material like a cotton round or warm water-dipped toilet paper. Look for pale yellow urine, which is healthy. Darker urine may mean the kitten is dehydrated, so consider adding more water or Pedialyte to their formula. Be gentle with the stimulation to avoid irritation. Watch for chafing and dirt buildup, and keep the kitten warm.
Kittens usually pee during each stimulation and should poop at least once a day. It’s normal for a newly arrived kitten not to poop for up to 48 hours due to the stress of the transition.
General Guidelines:
- Kittens need stimulation for elimination until they’re about 3 weeks old.
- Stimulate kittens before and after each feeding.
- Kittens should pee every time and poop at least once a day.
Watch the video below for a demonstration. VERY HELPFUL!
When kittens are 3 to 4 weeks old, they can use a litter box. Place one in their crate or cage with non-clumping litter or shredded newspaper. At this age, you can also start introducing dry kitten food. To encourage litter box use, put some of their feces in the box. If a kitten poops on its towel, move the feces to the litter box instead of cleaning it out entirely.
Caring For an Older Kitten
If your kitten is between 6 to 10 weeks old, it’s time to transition them from bottle feeding to eating meals high in protein about 3 to 4 times a day. You can start by pouring kitten formula into a food bowl and adding some softened kitten kibble or canned wet food to help them get used to eating solid food.
During this period, your kitten’s motor skills will improve, and they’ll become more adventurous, leading to lots of playtime. Keep a close watch on them to ensure they stay safe and out of trouble. Kittens need plenty of supervision and interactive playtime between 2 to 4 months old.
By the time your kitten reaches 4 to 6 months old, they’ll enter adolescence. This is when they may become mischievous and may need some behavioral training. It’s also an ideal time to discuss spaying or neutering with your vet. Doing so before 6 to 8 months of age can help prevent unwanted mating behaviors from becoming ingrained habits.
Read More: Stages of Kitten Development: First Weeks & Months
Preventive Care For Your Kitten
No matter how old your kitten is, schedule their first vet visit within the first week of bringing them home. The vet will check their health, advise you on their diet, and address any concerns you may have about caring for your new pet.
Regular preventive care is crucial for your kitten, including check-ups, vaccinations, and protection against parasites. Routine exams help the vet monitor your kitten’s health and dietary needs. Early detection of any issues makes treatment easier and more affordable.
Ensure your kitten receives all vaccinations and parasite prevention as scheduled. The first shots should be given at 6 to 8 weeks old, and spaying or neutering is recommended at 5 to 6 months old. This helps prevent serious illnesses or conditions from developing.
Things To Watch Out For
When taking care of a kitten, it’s important to watch out for certain signs at every stage of their life. These signs could indicate a problem or even a medical emergency.
If you notice any of the following signs in your kitten, contact your vet immediately to schedule an appointment:
- Delays or difficulties in movement or coordination
- Lethargy
- Refusal to eat (especially if bottle-fed)
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Once your kitten reaches 4 weeks or older, continue watching for the above signs and also pay attention to these behavioral cues:
- Using or not using the litter box
- Signs of playful biting or aggression
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I transition my kitten from bottle feeding to solid food?
Begin introducing solid food gradually when the kitten is around 4 weeks old. You can offer gruel/pate on your finger or a spoon, then gradually transition to a flat dish. Mix warm canned kitten food and prepared kitten formula into a thin gruel, then reduce the formula gradually until the kitten is eating just solid food.
What should I do if a kitten is not gaining weight or is weak?
If a kitten is not gaining weight or appears weak, consider feeding them more frequently or providing additional support, such as syringe feeding. Weak kittens, ill kittens, or those not gaining weight may require more frequent feedings to ensure they receive adequate nutrition.
How do I socialize my kittens?
Socialization is crucial for kittens’ development. Spend time handling and playing with them daily, exposing them to various sounds and experiences in a safe environment. Encourage interactions with humans and other animals to help them become well-adjusted pets.
When can kittens be adopted?
Kittens can typically be adopted at around 8 weeks of age, once they are weaned, litter-trained, and have reached an appropriate weight. Ensure kittens are spayed/neutered and vaccinated before adoption, and provide adopters with information on continued care and veterinary follow-up.
Final Thoughts
Caring for a newborn kitten, especially without a mother, requires patience, dedication, and attention to detail. From keeping them warm and well-fed to assisting with elimination and providing preventive care, every aspect of their care is essential for their health and well-being.
Remember, each kitten is unique, and their needs may vary. Regular monitoring of their weight gain, feeding habits, and behavior is crucial for identifying any issues early on and providing appropriate care.
Seeking advice from a veterinarian, especially in cases of illness or uncertainty, is highly recommended. Veterinarians can offer guidance tailored to your kitten’s specific needs and provide support throughout their development.
