Newborn Kittens, What Should I do?

Question

There are a lot of stray cats around here and people have been taking them off for years. Now there are two that stay at my house all the time. One is handicapped and his shoulders turn outward when he walks which makes him hop like a bunny. The other is a female. She just had babies. She had them out where we could find them this time and is comfortable with us handling them.

They were born sometime on Wednesday. I have been noticing that every once in awhile they will open their mouths and make a panting sound, and once it sounded like a little sneeze. My mom put some straw there for the to be in. Is that the reason or are they getting sick? What do I do?

I have never had kittens before and these aren't technically mine, but I want to do what I can for them.

Answer 1

Good for you for watching out for them.  And good that the mom is taking care of them as well.

This is a natural reaction (like a baby sucking it's thumb), and they normally do this when they are very very young.  Nothing to worry about; they're just new to the world, that's all.  Very cool that they are comfortable with you handling them.  However wouldn't do it too much (don't think you would anyway) because their little bodies lose alot of fluids and heat that way.  They're still too young and should stay with mom as long as possible.

The other one with the shoulder issue, I would capture him and take him to the vet to be checked out.  Once the kittens are weaned, capture them all and get them fixed.  Once they're outside and stray for a while they won't come inside, but atleast you can feed them outside.  Cruel people who let their cats outside or dump them.  They reproduce worse than rabbits.

I say, good for you; what a great heart you have.  Wish there were more like you in the world.

Answer 2

What you need to do is get the momma cat and her babies into a crate, and take them to the pound, and for the handicapped one, take him to the vet, or to the pound, so he can be properly taken care of, and I would guess that he is probably in pain.

Answer 3

hi

sorry people are being mean. Ignore them.

You have 2 choices; try to get momma cat to be with them or

Take them yourself; into your home. The straw may be making is hard for them to breath.

UIf you want to raise them, it is hard work and means feeding day & night. How do you think the momma cat would feel if you took her AND the babies inside>? that might be best. pelase dont give them to a shelter if they will be killed...lots of info on raising kittens by hand without a mu on the internet. good luck

Answer 4

Hi I 'm currently rescuing and caring for three newborn kittys, They're probably a week to 9 days old now. The panting is them hissing not over heating and that is completely normal. So  no worries my vet told em that is their defense mechanism. Real ferocious rihgt? You're doing great and the kittnes will be fine. Good luck! :O(

Answer 5

Try to collect them all and bring them to a shelter, so they can be cared for and be adopted out when the time is right as to not add to the overpopulation.  As common sense would tell anyone, the one that "hops like a bunny" is obviously not right and in pain.  Call your local shelters and vets, tell them your situation, and see what they can do to help you.  If they are around where you can handle them and care for them then it is your responsibility as an intelligent human being to do all you can for them, and do whats right by them.  Do what you can to stop the cycle of unwanted and uncared for animals.  Please help them.

Answer 6

1) did u take the kittens from the litter? if so u should have left them there unless u new that the mother wasnt taking care of them or died.

2) u have to get special formula from a store (many pet shops have it) and get a bottle espically for baby animals and feed it by bottle. do NOT feed it regular milk this will make them sick.

3) Kittens do not no how to go to the bathroom on thier own. Take a wet warm paper towel and whipe their privates until they go to the bathroom.

4) if you notice anything strage (such as the handicap one ) take it to the vet ASAP

5) kittens are very noisy so be prepared to wake up to mewing every night.

When i first got my kitten it was 2 days old and the mom abandoned it. It slept in a box next to my bed and one morning i picked it up and  it was cold and limp i screamed and thought it was dead and dropped it well that woke it up and it started screaming. moral of the story if its cold and limp it might just be sleeping :) good luck

Answer 7

well, just make sure the mom is caring for them and feeding them constantly. my cat had kittens and she is so proective. we couldnt really separate them from the mom to play until like a month had passed, (which is right now!) but thats the only concern. they need to stay warm, fed, and clean. thats all, and just be ready to play with the adorable kittens, and pick names for each one!! Good luck and congrats!!!!!

Answer 8

I would take them in and get them vet checked, they could have a cold, they could also be panting from being hot, please dont take them to the pound tho that is terrible, but you should get the mother cat fixed, even if you can't keep her, she will be better of outside if she were fixed, then she can worry abot herself and not have to worry about taking care of babies, when the kittens are between 7-8 weeks and are fully weaned you can give them away, every one wants a free kitten!!

Answer 9

Make sure they aren't in any danger of predators that might be in your area - bears? I don't know. But cats have been doing this for thousands of years! Don't worry, ket nature take its course - it truly is the best option. You have a kind heart, I wish more people were like you :)