Kitten rearing: 0-8 weeks old and care for young kittens

If you are doing this for an organization, remember that they own and are responsible for the animal.

Kittens: What You May Need: Bottle, formula, warmers, baby wipes, thick gloves, plenty of paper towels, a kitty litter box, bed, and food and water dishes. It is also very important to have toys, so they don’t get bored. Absolutely no catnip at first.

You may want to visit a vet to get an idea of ​​the kitten’s age if you are new to kittens. Vets are also great for advice on what to do and will provide you with formula if you need it.

Zero to four weeks: This is a time when they should be left in the care of the mother cat, but sometimes the kittens appear without her.

You will need to keep a very tight schedule: feed him at least every 2 hours with kitten formula. Remember, all babies have special needs. Cat milk or human formula is not for kittens, do not use it. The formula should be heated in a saucepan or in a warmer. Microwaving is not recommended to heat formula as it destroys nutrients and can get much hotter than intended. You can hold the kitten while you feed it, for the first few weeks you can do it with your bare hands, then wear thick gloves. The hand that holds the bottle will need it. The kittens will massage the clawed fingers, just as they would their mother.

Baby wipes are used to clean around the face and can be used to stimulate bowel and bladder movement. The mother cat would lick her kittens to do this. You need to gently rub the lower part of the stomach. Place paper towels in the area to catch the debris, cradle the kitten in the paper towel, and use your thumb to make downward motions from ribs to tail, like mommy cat licking.

Keep kittens warm – they need help with this, a hot water bottle in a towel works well.

A good idea is to place a house-breaking pad under the kittens, and it will come in handy later.

Four to six weeks: They have teeth and will be willing to eat solid food, but formula is still needed: use canned kitten food mixed with formula. Feeding is also less frequent, about every three to four hours. The food still needs to be heated. When you first feed them, don’t be surprised to see the kittens playing or sitting on food before you realize what it is. They will clean their paws and then come back for more. Dry kitten food should also be introduced slowly. Leave a small amount of dry food on a small plate. They will play with it, but they will eat it.

The kittens can now empty their bladders and move their bowels. So now it’s time for litter training, any litter is fine. You will need a very low box. The kittens will catch on quickly. The first time, use a housebreaking pad (the one they put down) with a small amount of trash on top. Your scent is there so they know it’s safe. If there is a bug, just put the kitten in the litter box.

The game is now a great teaching tool. As they move the toys around, they will find hands that not only feed and clean up, but are also fun.

Six to eight weeks: The kittens are now eating solid food, litter trained, and playing with small furballs. No more formula is needed. At the end of eight weeks, the kittens will be ready to go to a forever home.