Getting a new kitten is a very special experience with lots of joy, warmth, and laughter. There is a reason why the internet is so full of kitten and cat pictures and videos. Kittens are super fun, loving, and entertaining. Kitten care does involve some amount of hands-on attention from human family members. The focus of kitten care is on acclimating the kitten to its new family and providing for the kitten’s physical well-being to support healthy development.
What Should You Do When Caring for a Newborn Kitten Should You Trust?
Taking care of Newborn Kittens requires round-the-clock attention. But it can be done. If you are willing to dedicate the time and yourself. You have to be prepared to stay up all night for feedings. In this respect, it is like nursing a human child. However, they emerge very quickly. You are definitely sleepless. And the time to worry is whether it is necessary to eat them. Are they emerging the way they are? emerging in the same way?
The mortality rate of kittens can be as high as 40 percent. But you certainly make a discreet bond to take care of them during that period.
How Many Times a Day Do You Feed Newborn Kittens?
Newborn kittens must be fed daily, day and night. During the first week of life, they need to be fed approximately every two to three hours. After that, however, you can spread it every four hours.
Which comes in liquid or powder form. This is the Iqbal of the formula. Which you would use for bottle-feeding babies. And it is formulated for cats. Formula, bottles, and nipples are available over the counter at most pet stores. You don’t need a prescription. Will give you a guideline as to how much to feed based on the weight of the cat.
Be careful with the flow of milk when preparing the bottle. If you make too big a hole in the nipple. So the kitten may actually be breathing or it may be drowning. Bottles come with instructions on how to prepare the nipple for milk flow. Seek help from your veterinarian. Never cut off the entire tip of the nipple, as this is often the reason cats aspirate.
What About Bathroom Time?
Orphaned newborn kittens need a lot of help with urination and defecation. Usually, a mother cat does this with her rough tongue. If the mother is not around, use a warm, moist cotton ball or cloth. And gently clean their genitals and anal area. If they are well hydrated Which is your job. So you must maintain them after every feeding. And urine should come out. However, it needs to happen during the first three to four weeks of life.
Do Newborn Kittens Need a Bed
You can use a simple box with a soft blanket to keep the kitten. For heat, I would suggest using a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Just keep it between your blankets. Which covers the whole box. I advise people against using heating pads. Because it is much easier for a kitten to overheat this way.
What Are Some Special Things to Keep in Mind to Keep Them Healthy and Safe?
Do not allow the kitten to interact with other animals. You never know how another animal might treat a tiny kitten. And at this stage of life, newborn cats are very fragile and understanding.
If you have more than one kitten. So you definitely put them in the same box. They will help keep each other warm and happy. If they are from different children. Even then you keep them in the same box. Unless they’re basically different years or sizes. And also, don’t mix sick and healthy kittens together.
When Should Newborn Kittens Be Taken to the Vet?
It is a good idea to keep in touch with your vet during the first four weeks of a kitten’s life. Your vet will most likely see them once, but they may request more maintenance along the way based on the progress you report.