Too large an opening will force too much formula into them too fast. Too small of an opening will make kittens work too hard to get their formula, tiring them out before they’ve had enough to eat. You know that you have made the nipple opening just big enough if, when the bottle is held upside-down, formula drips slowly from it. Some fosters prefer the Catac brand of kitten feeders, which feature a specially-shaped bottle and nipple, but these are harder to find. Pet supply catalogs offer very good values on these products. Kitten formula (brands include KMR and Just Born) is more economical if purchased in powdered form to be mixed as needed. Cut an “X” in the tip of your first nipple with scissors. The nursing kit usually includes a bottle, several extra nipples, and a cleaning brush. Your first purchase should be a pet nursing kit and some kitten formula, available at pet stores. If you can’t get to a pet store right away, consult our Recipes for Emergency Kitten Formula. It also causes diarrhea, which is extremely dangerous for young kittens. Unfortunately, cow’s milk is not nutritious enough for kittens - they will slowly starve to death on it. Many of these organizations help cover the cost of necessary medical care as the kitten grows towards adoptable age. Don’t skip this step! You can also contact your local shelter or a rescue group - like Kitten Rescue - and ask if you can become an official “foster parent” through their organization as you raise your kitten. Their staff can give you lots of advice and supplies along the road as well. Many vets will give you a courtesy (free) office visit if you tell them this is a rescued kitten you are fostering. Even the most squeamish fosters have mastered this and it’s not as horrible as it sounds. This will be convenient if your kitten becomes dehydrated rapidly or in the middle of the night. Ask your vet or vet technician to show you how to do it. A dose of fluids injected under skin (subcutaneously, also known as “sub-q”) is necessary in this case. ![]() Young kittens are always at risk for being dehydrated and it can happen very quickly. Bring a stool sample if possible to be tested for worms and parasites. It is a good idea to take them immediately to a veterinarian to be checked for dehydration and general condition. Change the bedding of their “nest” daily, since kittens tend to have accidents! As they get older, they will need more room to exercise, play, and explore. Keep the container covered with a towel or blanket a small towel or cloth inside the carrier will also keep them cozy. Kittens should be kept in a box or cat carrier in a warm, draft-free place, completely isolated from other animals. An alternative that many fosters prefer is a heat lamp over the kitten nest. The heating pad should be used until the kittens are about four to five weeks old, or until you notice that they’re avoiding it. You’ll know if it’s too hot if the kittens tend to sleep on the edges. Keep them on a heating pad, set on low, wrapped in towels (at least two layers of towels, or one towel folded over) should cover the pad. Kittens under three weeks old can’t control their body temperature. It is okay, though, to syringe feed a few drops of 5% sugar water or to rub a little bit of Karo syrup on the kitten’s lips. Do not feed a kitten until it is warm, since it can’t properly digest when cold. Many veterinarians have incubators to warm a chilled kitten. Place it on a heating pad wrapped in towels and on the lowest setting, or warm a hot water bottle to about 100 degrees (wrapped in a towel) and place it with the kitten. If a rescued kitten feels cold, warm it immediately, but gently. Kittens over the age of eight weeks who have had no human contact will probably take months to tame - if it can be done at all. As they get older, it gets increasingly harder to tame them. At this age, it is easy to tame them and they have gotten a full four weeks’ worth of the precious antibodies mother’s milk provides. However, kittens born to feral mothers should be taken away, if possible, at about four weeks old. Ideally, kittens should not be taken from the mother until they are five to six weeks of age. ![]() Abandoned kittens will be dirty and the nest will be soiled, and they will cry continuously because they’re hungry. If the kittens are clean, plump, and sleeping quietly in a heap, odds are that they’ve got an attentive mom and should be left alone. A mom-cat can be harder to spot than the stealth bomber, but just because she’s not there now doesn’t mean she’s not around. ![]() Should I Take in an Abandoned Kitten?īe certain kittens are really abandoned before you disturb a nest. ![]() If you have found abandoned, feral or orphaned kittens and wish to rescue and raise them, here’s everything you need to know.
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