How To Raise Orphaned Kittens

Raising orphaned kittens compared to most mammals kittens are very premature when they are born.

How to raise orphaned kittens. When raising a kitten socialization is crucial in providing proper kitten care. Should i take in an abandoned kitten. After feeding the kittens you ll need to wipe their genitals with a damp cotton swab to encourage them to urinate. They should be petted cuddled and played with by humans for 30 40 minutes a day over and above feeding and cleaning time.

Orphaned or hand fed kittens should be raised together to aid in social development. Additionally clean the kittens fur in short strokes with a damp cloth when they ve finished eating. Kittens need mental and physical stimulation. If you have found abandoned feral or orphaned kittens and wish to rescue and raise them here s everything you need to know.

You should also wash your hands before and after handling the kittens so you don t get them sick. They should be petted cuddled and played with by humans for 30 40 minutes a day over and above feeding and cleaning time. Exposing your kitten to new people animals and experiences will help build a foundation for a lifetime of positive behavior. If your kitten is among those that hop out simply take them and place them back in the litter box in an hour.

It s also important to monitor the kittens while they are eating as they are unsteady and can fall head first into the food. If there is a foster mother available her kittens should be no more than 14 days older than the orphaned kitten. If the kittens are clean plump. Your kitten may dig around the litter box for a while or shun the litter box by hopping out of it.

Mix the wet food with water until it achieves a soupy consistency and consider warming the mixture before serving. Feeding during the first week. 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. Orphaned or hand fed kittens should be raised together to aid in social development.

They have a large body surface to weight ratio and that makes them prone to chilling dehydration and hypoglycemia as they have little reserves to go on if they miss a meal. Fostering kittens is fun rewarding and lightning fast if you do it right. A foster mother isn t always possible so you will have to hand raise the kitten using an artificial formula designed especially for use on kittens. To care for orphaned kittens less than 3 weeks of age feed them every 2 3 hours with powdered cat milk replacer heated to 95 degrees f.

When the orphaned kittens reach about 3 weeks of age you can start providing watered down meat based kitten food for them to nibble on. A kitten who hasn t been properly socialized may develop fear aggression and avoid human contact. This along with bottles and droppers for feeding can usually be found in the. Be certain kittens are really abandoned before you disturb a nest.

Feeding orphaned kittens orphans are labor intensive to raise but it can be done effectively. Once they start eating food as it comes. If they have littermates they will stimulate each other when moving. Continue to introduce them to it after meals and in the morning and every time you think they are about to urinate or defecate gently place them in their litter box to do the job.