The care that a mother provides to her children is difficult for others to assume, and if we talk about a human being taking care of newborn kittens that have been orphaned, it can be even more complicated
However, at our site we know that with the right advice and help, felines can get ahead, it is only necessary to offer the kitten, or the litter, the essential thing for them to fully develop.
If you have a litter and don't know how to take care of it, this guide to care for motherless newborn cats is exactly what you're looking for. Keep reading to discover what the perfect home is like for these kitties that have come into the world.
An orphan litter
Some scenarios make it possible for you to take on the task of surrogate mothering a litter of kittens, for example: your own cat rejects her puppies and refuses to feed them; the cat is sick and is not in a position to take care of her puppies, or the parent has died and you have found an abandoned litter
When it comes to this last option, we recommend that you make sure that the kittens are really abandoned, as it is possible that the mother of the puppies is nearby.
In any of these cases, taking care of newborn cats is an exhausting task and at the same time very comforting. The first three weeks are the most stressful, since kittens are more vulnerable From the fourth, the probability that your puppies will grow increases and the breeding happens to another stage.
What should the kittens' nest be like?
The first thing you should do is prepare a space so that the litter can feel comfortable, warm and protected at the same time. It is best to select a box, basket or bed for cats that is exclusive to the kittens, which you should place in a place in the house away from constant circulation of people, loud noises and drafts, but at the same time allows you to keep an eye on them easily.
It is very important that newborn kittens receive the body heat that the mother would give them, because at that young age they themselves do not They are able to regulate their own temperature. To achieve this, we recommend:
1. Place blankets inside the cat's bed, which you should wash frequently.2. Provide warmth by:
- A heating pad for pets, which you should wrap in a fleece to prevent accidents.
- Heat a bag of hot water to keep it at 37 degrees Celsius, wrap it in a cloth and place it next to the kittens.
- Your own body heat can also comfort them. Also, kittens keep each other warm by the way they sleep close together, so make sure you don't separate them into different beds or baskets.
Feeding the kittens puppies
As with human babies, the most recommended for newborn kittens is breast milk. However, since the mother can't be counted on in this case, you'll need to get Newborn Kitten Formula, also known as artificial formula.
At least during the first three weeks, this is the only thing that can serve as food for the kittens. You can get this formula at veterinary clinics, pharmacies and pet supply stores, ask your doctor about the most suitable brand for your litter.
Never feed them cow's milk or other dairy products marketed for humans, as they cause diarrhea and other digestive problems in felines, which, given the young age of the puppies, would cause dehydration that would easily kill them.
If you've just picked up the kitties and don't have anything to give them, offer them some warm water from a dropper to prevent dehydration while you get the formula.
When you have the milk in your hands, prepare it according to the instructions that appear on the package, and offer it lukewarm to the kittens, making sure that it is not too hot. The correct way to feed them is using a bottle, which you should place as if it were their mother: with the kittens in a horizontal position, so that they can suck milk. Never place them in the same way we feed human babies, or they could choke.
The kittens will want to knead you while you feed them, so you can leave a blanket for them to do it. When you notice that they no longer suck or that they have fallen asleep, it will be the moment in which they are satisfied.
When they are finished, place them next to your shoulder and pat their backs for them to burp For the first two weeks they should eat every two hours, even at night. Then the feeding can be spaced out to four hours and so on.
Discover on our site everything about feeding newborn kittens to take care of your felines in the most complete way possible.
Kitten hygiene
It is the mother who stimulates the kittens' sphincters with her tongue so that they can defecate and urinate,so that you should do the same. Moisten a damp cloth or washcloth with warm water and gently rub each kitten's genitals in the same direction, until they relieve themselves. It's best to lay them on a clean sheet while you do this to avoid any mess.
You must do this until the kitten stops defecating or urinating, to make sure that she has expelled everything. You must repeat this routine every day after each feeding.
Excretory waste should not have a strong odor; if so, it could indicate he alth problems, so a veterinarian's opinion will be necessary.
To bathe kittens the process is similar: just moisten a cloth with warm water and pat the fur in short strokes. When you finish, make sure you dry your hair completely, as the cold can be deadly. Remember that you should never completely bathe the cat unless it is really essential.
How should the handling be?
As kittens are extremely vulnerable in their first weeks, and to prevent them from contracting any disease or infection, you should also apply certain measures when approaching them:
- Wash your hands and arms very well before handling the puppies.
- Keep other pets away from the litter for the first two or three weeks, to prevent them from harming or spreading disease.
- Don't share puppies' utensils.
We hope that these tips will be useful to you in raising your motherless newborn kittens. Remember to go to your veterinarian for advice and be aware of any different signs or behavior that could indicate a he alth problem. You should also start the vaccination schedule and deworming of the puppies at the vet.
