Kitten Care

New Borns
Heat for Kittens
Hand rearing kittens
Weaning kittens
Kitten Poop
Dehydration
Constipation
General kitten care
General kitten behaviour

New born kittens

Normal weight at birth should be between 57-114g 2-4 oz and they should gain 15g 0.50z per day. It is important that a kitten has started to feed 3-4 hours after being born.

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Heat for kittens

There are dangers associated with putting a hot water bottle (even covered)in with kittens to keep them warm. Kittens can be scalded from hot water bottles. The other danger of a hot water bottle is that during the night it will become increasingly cold and even in this good weather temperatures drop significantly during the night and may cause liver and kidney damage.

For immediate first aid, body heat is the most effective way to bring a kittens temperature up. Place it in your bra under your clothing and carry on with your business. (you should see a result in 1/2 an hour) It may take one or two hours but it is safer and better to bring a kittens temperature up gradually than too quickly, and if in doubt get it to a vet. If you are a man borrow a bra from wife or friend!

A covered thermostatic temperature controlled heat pad is really the only safe method of maintaining a kittens body temperature.

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Hand Rearing kittens

You will need a bottle or dropper to administer milk. (this should not be glass as you need to be able to "press" the bottle gently if the teat gets blocked). A syringe is not recommended unless used by a very experienced kitten carer. The tip of the teat must be thin and not too large or too thick, remember it must fit into a small mouth.

Never force milk into a kitten, please be patient.

You will need artificial milk such as Cimicat or Royal Canin. DO NOT use cows milk or condensed milk. We do not recommend Whiskas kitten milk for new born kittens.

I do not increase the volume of milk as recommended after the first week, as I found the kittens became constipated. It is better to increase their intake by a small amount.

Weigh the kitten at least once a day and always at the same time. If the kitten is losing weight increase the feeding times. A kitten will lose 5-8g after "pooing" So weigh after if possible.

Kittens bowels and bladders should be empty prior to feeding. Gently wipe the bottom down and away with a damp cotton wool ball.

Recommended feeding amounts

Feeding schedules

Note this is only a guide.

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Weaning Kittens

Between 5-6 weeks, depending on body weight (Approx 500g), you can start to introduce semi-solid foods.

Feed cooked chicken with boiled rice mashed up, make sure there are no large pieces or the kitten may choke. However, make sure the mixture is not too liquid either. Introduce the kitten to this slowly. Weaning a kitten can be a slow and messy process. Place a small amount of food around their face or on their paws. (DO NOT force food into a kittens mouth). Let them lick and get a taste for the food, once they have found the food source they are off and eating.

Kittens should expel wind after a feed. By placing them on your shoulder and gently rubbing their back downwards with two fingers, you should hear a small "burp". Do not put a kitten down without doing this. Like in a human child they are prone to colic and this ensures that no trapped wind can cause vomiting. If the kitten is stubborn place it over your knee, with the kitten's head facing downwards and try the burping procedure. Do not leave the kitten in this position for more than a few minutes.

DO NOT give kittens baby food unless it is organic and salt/sugar free. The sodium content in baby food is too high for a kitten.

When the kittens are proficient in eating you can introduce them to kitten food. We use Royal Canin Baby cat 34 as it has all the nutrients that a kittens needs. This can be softened with water. You will get better formed less smelly poos. When introducing dried food ensure a fresh bowl of water is at hand for the kitten.

Orphaned kittens as young as 4 weeks can be encouraged to eat, and to lap at 3 weeks. Some will some won't.

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Kitten Poop

They must be light to middle shade brown. The stool must be well formed and not too thin, too liquid or too solid. A kitten should not strain when passing a stool. You can regulate this by increasing or decreasing the amount of formula. If in doubt seek vets advice.

If they are green something is severely wrong with the kittens digestive system and get it to a vet pronto as a common reason is that the kitten might have got too cold in it's belly and or it can be a sign of an infection or diet intolerance.

Yellow smelly stools can be an indication of a bacterial infection.

Any diarrhoea must be taken seriously and should not be left untreated as it can be a killer of kittens.

Black sticky stools can indicate blood loss from the digestive system. All are emergencies in kitten.

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Dehydration

Dehydration is a swift killer of kittens.

To test if a kitten is dehydrated, take the skin on the back between your fingers and gently pull it up, if the skin is elastic it should move back to it's original position in a matter of seconds, if the skin stands like a fold or moves back slowly, bring the kitten to a vet immediately. Re-hydration should only be attempted by a vet or a proficient and experienced person familiar with the care of kittens.

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Constipation

Decrease the concentration of the milk by using more water.

Add dextrose to the milk (Liquid dextrose)

If in any doubt or if you have not administered this before seek vets advice.

If the kitten has not passed a stool in 2 days it is important that the kitten should see a vet.

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General Kitten Care

Kittens should open their eyes at approx 6-8 days or 12 days MAX. If they open their eyes too late, inflammation can occur. This can leave permanent eye damage. If the kittens eyes are not open by 12 days seek vets advice. We do not recommend you attempt to open the kittens eyes yourself.

Kitttens should be wormed and de-flead as routine. Take advice from your vet if you are unsure.

If a kitten refuses to feed he should be checked by a vet. There are a number of conditions that may cause refusal to eat, ranging from genetic soft palate to obstruction or general infection. As ever, your vet is the best person to consult for any aspect of your kittens development.

A healthy kitten should be bright and alert, with bright eyes. There should be no discharge from eyes or nose.

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General Kitten Behaviour

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