Newborn Kittens How To Take Care Of Them
Continue to handle and play with the kittens through the seventh week.
Newborn kittens how to take care of them. Make sure you and other family members handle the kittens gently. Position the bottle in such a way that the kittens would still be able to move away from it anytime they want. When the kittens are 1 2 weeks old bottle feed the kittens every 1 2 hours with a commercial milk replacer formula. Chilling is one of the most critical dangers to newborn kittens.
Newborn kittens may nurse about every 1 2 hours. Aside from ensuring that they get enough warmth you will need to make sure that the newborn kittens are gaining weight normally. Kittens can only absorb colostrum during their first 16 to 24 hours of life and they should feed within two hours of birth. Put food and water near the nest plus a litter box so she doesn t have to leave the kittens for long.
If any kittens do not receive the first milk contact your vet. At about three to four weeks old they can be offered milk replacer from a bowl and then small amounts of moistened kitten food four to six times a. Start handling the kittens when they are 2 weeks old. Orphaned neonatal kittens require around the clock care so you ll want to establish a routine of care every 2 4 hours the younger they are the more frequent the intervals between feedings it s normal for the kittens to sleep just make sure they are in a safe and confined space.
When the kittens are 3 4 weeks old provide formula in a shallow dish as well as some kitten food that has been softened with water. Do not give cow s milk to the kittens because it is too hard for them to digest. It is essential that kittens receive colostrum to protect them against disease. The mother cat is best placed to care for her newborn kittens.
Newborn kittens need to feed every two to three hours. As a rule of thumb for every ounce of kitten body weight he or she needs 8 ccs of formula. So a kitten weighing 3 ounces will need about 24 ounces of milk replacement every 24 hours. Frequency of feeding like a human baby a newborn kitten will need to be fed frequently approximately every two to three hours.
Provide blankets a heat lamp or a heating pad to ensure the kittens stay warm. Make sure you change the bedding frequently so it doesn t get too soiled. Home care if you are committed to helping the newborn kittens and become their surrogate mother then you will need to provide a safe warm home for them. Provide a safe warm environment for her.
You can use a box or small crate with plenty of dry clean bedding. Stack clean towels to line it.