Abandoned kitten, how do I care for it?

Question

I found an abandonded kitten on my property. She's a little bigger than my hand I think she's around 4-5 weeks, but not sure. The queen took all of the other kittens but left this one. I tried to leave it be so that maybe the mom would come back but it's been about a week and the tiny thing is still here.

Answer 1

Hello,

First and foremost, I want to acknowledge your kindness for taking in the little orphaned kitten. It is a very huge task but at the end, the reward far outweigh the hard work. However, if you feel that you are unable to assume this responsibility, it would be wise to hand the kitten over to a no kill shelter so that the kitten can be look after by more experienced rescuer/volunteer so her chance of survival will be higher. And if you do want to take care of the little kitten now, here are some of the things that you can do"-

Now, you need to set up a comfortable nesting box for the kitten. Find a hard and sturdy card box, lined it with old towels or clothes and shredded newspaper.

Newborn cannot regulate their body heat so it is very important to keep them warm. You can fill a bottle with hot water, wrap a towel around it and place it in the nesting box. Or, you can use some uncooked rice, fill it into a sock, and zap it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Make sure to check the temperature so it is not too hot and can burn the delicate kittens.

Feeding wise, purchase kitten replacement formula from any pet store. KMR and Just Born are two brands that are widely available. You will also need a feeding bottle or two. You must not feed a cold kitten! It will kill her. Warm her up first gently, either by using the water bottle wrapped with towel of by gently caressing her by your chest and allow your body heat to warm her up.

You need to feed the kittens around the clock, at 2-3 hours interval. A kitten needs approximately 8 cc’s of formula per ounce of body weight per day. Remember to feed the newborn kitten while they are laying on on their stomach on a hard surface on on your lap. Kittens are not newborn babies and should not be feed like one. Cut the bottle nipple with a sterile blade or scissors. Make sure the hole is big enough so the formula will drip smoothly without applying pressure to the bottle. Also, make sure it's not too hot. You can soak the bottle in warm water for about 10 minutes to make it warm.Test the temperature by dripping the formula on your wrist.

Go slow when feeding. The kitten will feed on their own space. Make sure the flow of formula is not too fast so the formula doesn't get into their lungs. If you see formula coming out from their nose, hold them upside down by their feet gently.

After each feeding, make sure you place the kitten on your chest or shoulder, belly down, and give them a pat until they burp. This is important so be sure not to skip this step.

Newborn are not able to go pee/p**p without your help. The mother will usually l**k them to make them defecate and urinate. When the mom is not there, it's your job to stimulate their bowel movement. Wet a cotton ball with warm water and gently rub or pat their bottom. You don't need to use too much pressure. Just a light tap or rub will initiate the flow of urine and defecation.

Newborn kitten are fragile so when you pick them up, always be gentle.  Cradle the hind legs with one hand thus supporting his body weight and hold the front of the body under the chest and behind the forelegs with your other hand. This will make him feel secure and comfortable.

Another tip that I can share with you is to place an analog clock which ticks into his nesting box to mimic the mom's heart beat. Make sure you wrap the clock in a towel or place it inside an old sock. This will help calm baby kitten who misses his mom.

And don't forget to schedule a vet appointment soon so that the kitten's health can be assess. The kitten will also need to be dewormed and receive it's first round of vaccinations. In time, the kitten will also need to be neutered/spayed to prevent more unwanted litters.

To learn more, please visit the links provided:-

http://www.feralcat.com/raising.html

http://www.kittenrescue.org/handbook.htm

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?...

http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm/...

http://www.kittens-lair.net/raising-a-ca...

Good Luck and thank you for care of this kitten~

Answer 2

Take it to the vet they will care for it

Answer 3

mom probably didn't think she/he would make it, so now it is up to you to make sure that it does. either you can do this or take it to a cat shelter. you need to get to the store and buy kmr kitten replacement milk and feed the kitten every two hours with a bottle, keep it in a carrier with blankets and even a heating rock, leave cat food and water in the carrier along with a little box for litter so that kitty will get the idea. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Get some kitten food (dry) and moisten it ... with water  or you might add a little canned food.

DO NOT FEED CATS COWS MILK!

get a sand box

check for fleas > use a flea comb and comb out the fleas and stick them in soap or alcohol to kill them.

Make your kitty a nice bed and and enjoy the purring!

Call the vet and find out how young they spay / neuter... do that as soon as possible... so this cat won't breed.

Answer 5

I hope you're feeding the poor thing. I'd get it into a vet ASAP. They'll be able to tell you how old it is and what a kitten at that developmantal stage needs to thrive.  

Answer 6

Take it to the vet.  Also, you might have to bottle feed it.  Regularly wrap it in warm towels and after it eats you have to wipe its rear end with a warm wet cloth to stimulate it to go to the washroom (Mother cats do this with their tongue).

Answer 7

feed her but no matter what take her to the vet

Answer 8

You can care for it yourself or try to find a rescue.

http://kittenrescue.org/meow/handbook.ht... - everything you would ever want to know about caring for an abandoned kitten.

Or go to www.petfinder.com and search for animal welfare groups in your area.  

Answer 9

Take her to the vet they will know what to do .