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Caring for Orphaned Kittens |
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Written by Heidi Gagne
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Sunday, 12 February 2006 |
GENERAL CARE
Place a basket or box in a warm draft free place. For the first two
weeks of life, provide warmth between 77 and 86 degrees fahrenheit, a
heating pad set on low or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel work
well for this purpose. Reduce the overall warmth up to six weeks to
68 degrees. From three weeks on, place a litter box nearby. Keep an
eye on them. They may try to eat the litter. I would not recommend
using scooping at this stage for the same reason.
FEEDING
Feed kitten formula with a nursing bottle. These can be purchased
nearly anywhere. I got mine at our local Wal-Mart. The brand I use is
called "A Little Lovin".
Distributed by
Carter-Wallace, Inc.
Cranbury, NJ 08512-0187
Most vets also carry nursing bottles and may have a wider variety.
Your local vets is always a good place to go with questions. You will
have to be careful that the kitten does not breath any formula into
its lungs. If this happens you will hear a raspy sound and it will
appear as though they are trying to cough.
I know this will sound weird but hold them upside down for a short
time. I used to raise orphaned baby squirrels also for the wildlife
rescue in Mass. This was their recommendation for when it happened
with the squirrels and I use it with the kittens. This will help the
formula to drain from their lungs in most cases.
If the raspy breathing continues, do not hold them upside down again.
They are at a risk for developing pnuemonia if not taken care of. If
they appear playful and still have a good appetite than I would not
worry. However, if they stop eating or wanting to play then you must
consult with a veteranarian as soon as possible. If there is a 24
emergency vets office in your area, call them. Most likely they will
want you to bring the kitten in right away.
Potty Time!
This is part of the feeding and very important!! I cannot stress it
enough. You will have to act the part of the momma cat in more ways
than just feeding. Thankfully we do not have to use our tongues like
the momma cats do. Before and after each feeding, you must help the
kitten to potty! Lightly stroke the kitten's anus and sex openings.
Some say use toilet paper, others a warmly moistened paper towel. Me,
I prefer a nice, soft, though used, towel that I have saved aside for
this purpose. I also wet the towel slightly with warm(not hot!!)
water. Wipe away any urine and stool from this area to avoid
irritation or infection.
DIET
Prepared formula or powders are the only "food" the young kitten
should eat. Kittens cannot tolerate cows milk because its milk sugar
content is too high. Again, you can find these at your local grocery
or vets office. There are several varieties in existance. My
strongest recommendation is for KMR.
Manufactured by
PetAg.
261 Keyes Avenue
Hampshire IL 60140.
This formula also can be used for other small animals. It is also
available in liquid form. However, in my experience, the powder,
while being more work, is less expensive than the liquid variety.
When you have several very hungry mouths to feed, less expensive can
be very welcome.
A second choice is Tiny Tiger. Distributed by Carter-Wallace, Inc.
They also made the bottle. Again this also comes in a liquid form but
the powder is less costly. Directions for mixing and storage are
included on every can. Also included on the cans are feeding
instructions. How often to feed at what stages.
WEANING
Switching to solid food should begin at around week three. I use
Kitten Chow, ground in a blender and mixed with water. If some seem
reluctant to take to the food, not to worry. Just keep nursing them.
Do not force them to eat. They will eat and show interest in eating
at the proper time. I have learned it can vary from kitten to kitten.
All of them should be nursed as well as eating solid food at first.
When all of them are eating the food, slowly decrease the formula and
increase the food. Do this up until week eight. This is the normal
time they would have been weaned by their mother. I would keep them
for 2-4 more weeks though.
Switch them to dry kitten food without grinding or mixing with water
slowly. Also make sure they are litter trained. If you have some
difficulty with a few not eating the semi-solid food you may wish to
try canned kitten food. This can be purchased at most vets. I have
never seen it in a grocery store. The strong odors of the canned food
tend to get them more interested in eating. Do not use adult cat food
for this. The kittens systems cannot handle it yet.
DISCLAIMER
This tips page is merely meant to provide information I have learned
over time or personal experience I have had. This is not meant to
take the place of talking with a vet or other qualified professional
and it should not. I am not a vet. Just a foster mom with lots of
experience under my belt.
Heidi Gagne has been rescuing and caring for orphaned kittens for more than a decade. She has always loved cats and that love just grows. http://www.misskittytx.org/.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 15 July 2007 )
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