I have a 3 day old kitten, any help will be appreciated!!!?

Question

I have a 3 day old kitten i got yesterday. The mother abandoned it and as far as i know the rest in the litter died b/c no one caught it on time. i have been feeding it with a special bottle and kitten formula from the pet store. it's eyes are still shut and i have been rubbing its butt to make it go, which it has. its learned to meow now also and moving around. if you know any information about how much to feed it, and when and any other information i'd appreciate it. also when to take it to the vet and about how much $ it'd be. thank you!!

Answer 1

You are doing great, just a few thoughts, I would recommend feeding every 2 to 3 hours, let the baby drink as much as it wants. Check the bottle to notice how much she is drinking so you will know how much is normal for her. The amount should increase by the day. Have the milk at room temp. Be sure the baby is warm, don't place the bed to close to an A/C vent. Every time you feed her, stimulate her to go tinkle (before and after feedings)
Just as a method, I extend the amout of time between feedings to equal the weekly age.
1st week feed every 2 to 3 hours
2nd week 3 to 4 hours
3rd week 4 to 5 hours
4th week 5 to 6 hours
Between 3 and 4 weeksyou can start soaking the food in water to make it mushey and try getting her to eat some off your finger
The eyes will not open for another week to 10 days.
Some people advise against holding the baby to much, personally I prefer to hold it a lot. I really believe the comfort of her hearing a heart beat is worth it.
You can wear an old shirt and pin the bottom and sides of the shirt to the front (making a little pouch) use a diaper pin. It lets you have your hands free but allows the baby to feel your heat. I think it is a comfort to them.
At about 3 weeks you can take the baby to the vet and have them check her and set up a worm and shot schedule.
Vets vary so much in their cost your best bet would be to call and check what their fee is to do a basis check-up including office visit fee.
Compare prices, all vets are not the same. Some do not charge an office fee if they just do a quick look-see. They can show you how to do the worming so you can do that yourself, I do recommend using the vet wormer instead of over the counter.
Just because the mother cat abandoned the babies is not a guarantee there is something wrong with the baby. Some animals are just not mommie material.
NOTE be sure to check back on the regular Yahoo section (not just your email) to see if anyone happens to post additional comments after they send their message to you .
I aways remember things after I hit the send button.
Some of these ideas may not work for you but they may help.
My spell check is out....again.....so maybe you can understand all this.

Answer 2

Feed it every hour or so. it'll let you know when it's hungry if it's before then. But be prepared, the chances of it surviving are slim. But it can be done!

Make sure you keep it warm... best to use a heating pad. Mother cats keep their kittens very warm. Try not to handle it any more than you have to, but give it a lot of attention.

If it survives, you'll have the most loyal, cuckoo pet alive! lol .... it'll think you're its mother :)

The vet will be very expensive. I'd stay away from there. You can give it everything it needs and it sounds like you're doing a great job so far. Good luck :)

Answer 3

Hi. Kittens, especially this young, usually feed every 3-4 hours. You are doing the right thing with the bottle. Also, I would advise to talk to a vet and see about getting some supplements to add to the milk. Sometimes, the store bought kitten milk just does not have enough of the needed vitamins that they need. Also, make sure that she/he stays warm. You can do this by placing a heating pad under a towel, and turn it on low. You are now his/her mommy. And she/he will continually look at you for his/her needs. I would also advise that you go ahead and take him/her to the vet now, to make sure that all is going well.

Answer 4

i just say sth in general:first be CAREFUL!

1.start bottle feeds.for this you should get a good quality replacement kitten milk,recommended by your vet.Experience teaches that the more expensive brands give the best result.All other kind of milk are unsuitable for kittens ,it is possible to feed kittens younger than 2 weeks with a bottle ,but its certainly easier to do with a needle less insulin syringe,as you can give much more accurate dosages this way. .most kittens protest against being fed at first-they only recognize their mother's nipple.if you put slight pressure on the plunger a drop will come out,and the kitten will understand more quickly,in feeding its very important that the kitten itself drinks,so you should never press the plunger too far in,but leave it to the kitten.forcing it to drink can cause the kitten to get milk in its lungs,or in its nostrils,with attendant consequences,so be patient . (continue the bottle feeding till 4-5 weeks)
feeding is the most important thing , and also you should prepare a place . and warm your kitty up . you should pat your kitty just like a job that mother cat does with her tongue,its really important because in this way you make your kitty drink more & help its body to work better!
now GOOD LUCK! ;)

Answer 5

kittens this young need for every couple of hours until they are full. formula for any pet store or the vet will work and they wont open their eyes for maybe a week or so it may be better for the kitten if when it get a couple of weeks old get it a kitten companion, kitten grow better in pairs

good luck!!!

Answer 6

Take it to the vet now. You want to be sure the kit is not suffering a disease or other ailment that could threaten its health. Also, at some point, it will need shots. A first-time vet visit w/shots could cost about $85 to $125. Please keep your new kitten if you can. It will reward you many times over. Best wishes to both of you!

Answer 7

I did this once. I don't remember how much I had to feed it but I know I had to feed it every two hours for a few weeks. It was rough, but All the kittens lived. They were very cute.

Answer 8

good luck ,and well done for rescueing it. the first comment seems say it all really. I just want to wish you good luck, and I hope the kitten lives to give you a long and happy time together.

Answer 9

I've posted great tips for caring for your cat. I don't want to copy & paste it here because it's pointless. Here, click on this blog. You're gonna love it:

http://www.paige-kate.blogspot.com


(it's all about cats & dogs and basic care and tips to discipline them while they are very very young, just like your kitten)

:)

Answer 10

TAKE IT TO THE VET NOW!!!!