Is there anything more adorable than a little kitten? For feline lovers, there is probably no image more tender than that of a cat coming home in its early stages of life. For the cat, this is a stage of discovery and learning, on the other hand, for the owner, this may be the sweetest stage that lives thanks to the reception of his pet.
It is very easy to be captivated by the image of a small cat, however, our actions must go further and we must do everything possible to promote the best possible development, and this includes a series of care which are of great importance.
Do you have questions about how to take care of a kitten? In this AnimalWised article we show you the best tips for caring for small cats.
Feeding the kitten
The cat's diet is always a determining factor in its state of he alth, even more so in the early stages of life, in which the food provided should be as similar as possible to mother's milk. Fortunately, today there are preparations of infant milk capable of replacing feline milk, which we can administer with a lot of patience and love through a plastic syringe.
Feedings must be made every 2 hours and never spaced beyond 4 hours, each feeding must contain 10 centiliters of milk To To manage it properly, we must hold the kitten by hand and keep it in a semi-inclined position, always trying not to choke on the milk.
As of approximately a month and a half of life, the cat can gradually start on solid food, always using specific preparations for cats puppies.
Stimulate excretory functions
When a kitten is very small it cannot urinate or defecate on its own,rather it is the mother cat who usually stimulates them. In the absence of his mother, it is very important that we fulfill this function, since the capacity of the rectum and the urinary bladder is very small and any type of retention could be disastrous.
You should take a cotton ball and moisten it in warm water, then gently massage the anal and perianal area, This practice should be done after each milk supply.
A suitable environment
For a small cat to develop properly it is essential that we keep it in a suitable space. It should be a ventilated space but at the same time protected from drafts, a A cardboard box is a good option, but obviously it should be covered with cotton so that the kittens can maintain a good body temperature.
A small cat has very little subcutaneous fat and therefore maintaining body temperature is essential. To do this, we must place a bag of hot water that must be renewed periodically.
Worm the cat
A very small cat that has also been prematurely separated from its mother can have many complications derived from the weakness of its immune system. For this reason, many veterinarians recommend using an immunoregulatory antiparasitic from the first days of life.
Obviously you should not apply a product of this type on your own, even less on a small kitten, you should have prior advice from a veterinarian.
Detect any anomaly early
Any cat is susceptible to numerous he alth problems, however, this risk increases when a cat is a puppy. For this reason, it is important to know the symptoms that may be indicative of illness:
- Alterations in the coat
- Smelly ears or dark discharge
- Frequent coughs and sneezes
- Ocular secretions
- Lack of queue movement
If you observe any of these symptoms it is vital that you go to the vet as soon as possible.
