I'm taking care of 4 week old kittens whose mother was killed, and they are shaking pretty badly, help!?

Question

I just got them yesterday, their mom was killed the night before. I was giving them KMR milk every two hours all night, and they really seem a lot better. My boss (I work at PetSmart, thats how I got them) told me I could probably cut back to feeding every 4 hours or so.

My problem is that they're shaking very badly. I know theyre scared (they hiss at me) and confused and I'm doing the best I can to comfort them, so any suggestions? I'm afraid if I do too much theyll be even more scared, so I'm giving them some space for now, letting them adjust, and just spending some time every few hours sitting with them.

I know its normal for kittens to shake a little after they eat, but how much is too much? My boss said it could be hypo glycemia, so how do I tell, what should I be looking for? And if it is that, what do I do?

also... any suggestions on litterbox training (for later, since theyre not ready yet)

Answer 1

Well, since they are away from their mother, they are scared AND cold. They use their mother for warmth, as she has more fur than they do and is larger in body mass. Be sure that whatever they are sleeping in is snug and warm.

Did they see their mother get killed? They could have PTSD--post traumatic stress disorder. Cats do suffer from this, and these freakouts could be indicative of that. I have had cats see their friends (my other pets) be hit by cars, and it took them about 3 months to recover. If this is the case, be sure to give them lots of extra love and care. You may want to talk to a vet about possibly getting them a "surrogate" mother if one is available.

Talk to a vet either way. They have probably seen things like this before, even more often than your vet, and can advise you. You will also need to talk to them about when you should get them their shots, have them fixed, etc.

Litter box training: many cats will catch on very quickly. On a regular basis, set them in the litter box and gently rub their paws in the litter. They will find it amazing and prefer to use that to anything else when it comes to the call of nature. Also, put their solid...waste...in there so that they can get the idea that this is where that is supposed to go.

Good luck! I'm glad someone is willing to take care of the babies!

Answer 2

First of all, are the kittens walking and using the litterbox? If they aren't using the litter yet (and at 4 weeks old, they might be ready and they might not), you're going to have to rub their back ends with a warm washcloth to help them pee. Otherwise they're going to become very uncomfortable very quickly.

They may just be shaking because their muscles aren't very steady yet. Otherwise, like everyone else has said, just be sure they are warm enough.

I would suggest you don't hold off on handling them. It's the fastest way to get them accustomed to you. They may feel vulnerable right now since they rely on their mother to protect them, so it's understandable that they would hiss, but they need to learn to trust their new human parent too!

Answer 3

I would doubt if kittens that young would be feeling emotional stress. If they are kept warm and fed frequently with the warm milk they should be OK.

On the other hand a $20 bottle of Rescue Remedy can help with any emotional fears, trauma, etc. You can get that at a health food store. You just shake the bottle well and put maybe three drops on the fur between their ears. It is absolutely benign and cannot harm them in any way. If it doesn't seem to be working (reduction in the shaking) it is no great loss for if you are going to have stressed animals in your house in the future it could be very useful to have around. And it really can work "wonders".

I hope the little "dollies" (that's what I call all kittens before they are named) will thrive under your caring ministrations.

Answer 4

Are you warming the milk a bit? If not then do that before you give it to them. Make sure it feels barely warm to you. Any hotter and it will burn them. Are their eyes open? If not then it should be ok for you go be near them a lot. The KMR should be enough to keep them from having hypoglycemia. Make sure they are in a warm spot in your house with no drafts. You CAN cover a heating pad with a towel and put it under them on low. But make sure they are not chewing the cord. Make sure they have an area to get off the heat if they want to. This is probably one of the reasons they are shaking. Milk needs to be warm for their digestion and they need to be warm for this as well. When you hold them hold them against your chest so they can feel your heart beat and your warmth. It will soothe them.

After you feed them you need to get a warm damp wash cloth and wipe their bottom until they potty. Yes i am serious. This is what mother cats do to stimulate them to go. You shouldnt have to do that but another week or two at most. Thankfully when i raised mine , my dog did this for me. At that age they need to eat about 5 or 6 times per day. You do not have to get up every 2 hours to feed them. Just once during the night should do it.
When you can, just get a litter box and put it in where they are and they will figure it out.

Answer 5

Lots of good posts here. Just keep up the "butt" thing for pooping, although I would use a warm, wet washcloth. They could be stressed right now. Try also calling a animal foster group just for their advice, they probably cannot take in any more kittens. Try a "hot water bottle" wrapped in a towel to keep the shaking one warm. Put a stuff animal in the box with them. Ask someone to help with them. Even if you have to take them back in a week or two, it will help. Try to find something to help mimick the heartbeat.

Answer 6

Are the kittens warm enough? After they eat they want to nap, put a blanket covered heating pad, or hot water bottle, under them.

At 4 weeks they can start eating canned cat food or meat baby food. Put a little in warm water to make it liquid and drip it on the kitten's mouth. They will make a mess, but should catch on quickly.

Potty training can start now. When you rub their bottoms to make them go potty, do it over a litter box and let them sniff. Box training won't "kick in" until around 8 weeks, but you can plant the idea into their young minds.

Good luck

Answer 7

keep them very warm, and lots of love and attention , they will adjusts soon enough, i am currently taking care of 2 of my pits pups, its hard but since they are 4 wks old u can feed them probably every 3-4 hours, u need your rest too. thats very generous of u to do that for them. as far as litter training them, just sit them in the litter box within the next 2-3 wks and when they get out put them back in. their instincts will kick in. i had a kitten that i got when he was 3 wks and after putting him in the litter box a few times he would automatically go there to use it. but i think he was probably about 5 wks old when i started that. good luck.

they are probably shaking cause they are cold so put a heating pad under them but put a thick towel or blanket over the heating pad so it won't burn them and put it on a low setting.

Answer 8

If they are shaking try to get like a big light and put it over them.I just got rid of all my kittens and when they were born they all shoke too but i made sure the house was nice and warm and they had a light over them for extra heat but if this dont work i would have to say bring them to the vets..

Answer 9

Phone a vet and ask for advice. Hopefully advice should come for free. Keep them warm (hot water bottle wrapped up in blanket). Don't let them get a chill. Good luck, I hope they're ok.

Answer 10

my friend had a dog that accidently got pregnant and she died durring birth. my friend had to keep those pups alive and there were days she was scared to leave them. she had a whole agreement with the dr that she could bring them in whenever she thought something could be wrong. the dr understood.
try talking to ur local vet or something and write down every question you have. or even u can call up the vets office and they can answer a few of your questions even over the phone.