Caring for newborn kittens can be a challenging job as they require constant attention and care. If puppies have been born lately, they will ask for a lot of effort. If their mom is still around, she'll take care of them herself and you can just help her by feeding her properly and leaving her cats for the first few weeks of life. However, if the mother is no longer present or is unable to take care of her babies, you will have to take on the responsibility of looking after them. This means feeding them, making sure they stay warm and also helping them perform their physiological functions.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Feed them
Step 1. Assess the situation
The type of attention you will need to give puppies depends on a number of factors: their age, whether or not their mother is there to take care of them and their state of health. If you find an orphaned puppy, you will need to give him the same care that his mother would guarantee, such as food, warmth and help with the "bath". Take some time to understand the situation before you start caring for your puppy.
- If you find several kittens that have been abandoned or separated from their mother, observe them from a distance of at least 10 meters to see if the cat returns.
- If the cats are in imminent danger, you must intervene without waiting for the possible return of the mother. For example, you need to act immediately if puppies are at risk of freezing from the cold, if they are in a place where they could be stepped on or crushed, and if there is a dog nearby that could hurt them.
Step 2. Get help from a local veterinarian, animal welfare organization, or cattery
You don't have to feel alone in caring for these creatures; Caring for puppies is a onerous endeavor and you have to go to great lengths to make sure they survive. Contact your veterinarian or animal welfare association for assistance. They may find a foster cat that would allow the puppies to eat properly or they may teach you how to bottle feed these orphans.
Step 3. Provide food for Mom, if she is still around
If the mother cat is still in the area and taking care of the little ones, they will certainly be better off if you let her take care of them herself. But you can help her by providing her with adequate food and shelter. Just make sure the food and shelter are in separate places, otherwise he may refuse them both.
Step 4. Feed the puppies
If mom is not around or unable to take care of the cats, then you will need to prepare their food and feed them yourself. The type of food you need to buy depends on the age of the animals. Ask your vet for advice on all kittens' dietary needs.
- When they are one or two weeks old, they need to be bottle fed every hour or two, using a breast milk substitute. Never offer cats milk, as they are unable to digest it.
- When the puppies reach 3-4 weeks, give them the breast milk replacer in a shallow dish in which you have also put some solid kitten food softened in water. Offer them this "meal" 4-6 times a day.
- For older cats, 6-12 weeks old, you can make a baby food with a lower content of breast milk substitute and more puppy kibble. At this stage you can organize 4 meals a day.
Step 5. Weigh the cats once a week
To make sure they are all well fed and gaining weight, you need to weigh the puppies once a week and write down the value. Kittens should gain 50g to 99g per week. Talk to your vet if you worry they are not growing fast enough.
Part 2 of 3: Manage and Protect Them
Step 1. If the mother is around, leave the kittens alone for the first week of life
Some cat mothers may reject kittens or get very angry if you touch their children too much; for this reason it is in their interest to leave them undisturbed when their mother is around. However, when they reach 2-7 weeks of age, cats should start interacting with humans and get used to being touched.
Step 2. Handle the puppies very gently
If you have a child who wants to touch them, teach them to be attentive and thoughtful and never let them hold one without your supervision. Kittens are very fragile and even a very small baby could cause them serious trauma.
Step 3. Provide the animals with a place to sleep
If they don't already have a kennel, provide them with a warm, dry, and safe place from potential predators. Check that the place you have chosen is protected from atmospheric agents and drafts. You can use a box or a carrier in which you have placed several blankets or towels.
Step 4. Keep the puppies warm
If the mother cat isn't taking care of them, then you need to place a warmer or hot water bottle wrapped in a cloth inside the kennel to provide the right warmth. Make sure the kittens can get away from the heat source if they need to. Check them often to make sure they are comfortable.
Part 3 of 3: Help them Evacuate
Step 1. Allow Mom to help the cats if she is nearby
The mother, by instinct, will help the kittens perform their physiological functions and you will have to allow her to do so. In the first few weeks of the puppies' life, the mother washes their genitals to stimulate evacuation and urination. Never interfere in these moments.
Step 2. Help the kittens defecate and urinate
If the mother cat does not care for the kittens, you will need to help them with this task in the first few weeks of life. Take a damp cloth or wet gauze and gently wipe the genital region of the cats. Continue in this way until they have finished urinating and / or defecating. Immediately wash or discard the cloth and dry the kittens before returning them to the kennel with the rest of the litter.
Step 3. At four weeks of age, you should introduce the use of the litter box
At this age, the puppies are ready to start using this "bathroom". To encourage them, place them in the litter box after each meal and, when they have met their needs, return them to the kennel with the other cats. Let each kitten use the litter box for a few minutes after each meal.
Step 4. Check if any problems arise
If you find that one or more puppies are not urinating or defecating despite the massage or when you put them in the litter box, then you should call your vet immediately to find out what the problem is. The kitten may be constipated or suffer from an intestinal blockage that needs to be removed.
Advice
Don't be afraid to ask a veterinarian or an animal welfare association for help. Both have the support of volunteers who will be able to help you take care of the kittens and thus increase their chances of survival
Warnings
- When you bottle feed a newborn kitten, do not hold it as you would a baby or the milk could end up in the pet's lungs. Always let the cat stay on all fours on the ground or on your lap during feedings.
- Call the vet right away if any of the puppies appear sick (sneezing, lethargic, not eating, and so on). Kittens can die if they get sick or don't eat enough.
- Don't give the kittens cow's milk! It is too difficult for their delicate gastric tract to digest and they may be sick.
