The mama cat has died today, and I don't know how to care for these babies. Can they eat milk?? From an eyedropper or something??If so how much? How often??
2007-05-14 14:45:31 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
They have to have kitten milk from the vet. They also sell a re-placer in places like Petsmart. Don;t feed cows milk or anything other than the re placer.
They will need bottle feeding every 2-3 hours day and night for the next week at least. They you can move to 3-4 hours day and night depending on their size. They vet will work out a feeding chart with you.
If they are very small you may need to tube feed. The vet will need to show you how to do this too. It's not easy, but very effective when the kittens or puppies can't suckle very well. They should be beyond this stage though hopefully.
At 4 weeks to can start to wean then onto kitten food, but they will still need milk for another 2 weeks as well.
You are also going to have to "diaper" them every feed too. That means you will have to stimulate them to use the bathroom. Tiny babies don;t just do it on their own. I know this sounds gross, but you have to very gently rub the anus and urinary opening to get them to go. If you don;t they will get very ill and quite possibly die.
Good luck. You can do this I know. There is just so much you need to know it would take me forever to type it all up so I'll add a link for you too. http://www.2ndchance.info/orphankitten.htm
I'm so sorry you have lost the mother.
2007-05-14 14:51:34 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. P's Person 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
1. Get small basket (Clothes Basket) or anything easy to carry because you need to take this kitten everywhere with you. Now get you a empty 2 litter bottle, and fill it up with hot water. Take a big sock and slide over it. Now get a blanket and lay over that. THis will keep your kitty warm. VERY important. Get another blanket to keep over the top of your basket to keep it dark while the kitty is sleeping. WHen water get cool in bottle, empty and refill.
2. Bottle feeding - make sure you use very small nipple, kittens get choked very easy and can develop phunumonia which can be fatal. Feed this kitten every two hours minimum. Make sure the formula you have the kitty on is high quality - unless you have had the kitty on the current formula for 3 days or more and it is doing fine then DONT change it. - It may give it upset stomach which can dehydrate kitty make it sick. I think an eyedropper is much easier though.
3. Kittens do not use the bathroom unless stimulated by "mother" usually by licking- if you have not seen your kitty use the bathroom, then its not old enough to go on its on - after feeding kitty, get a papertowel and wet it with warm water. Now take it and rub gently across the "private" areas. Usually b/w 3 and 4 wks the kitten starts this on their own, so if you have to do this, you shouldn't have but a few days of this. When you hold your kitten constantly rub it with your thumb in a firm motion like its mother would. Kittens needs lots ot stimulation and attention.
4. When you think the kitten is 4 wks start slowly intoducing something mild solids like lamb and rice. Make sure it it very wet with formula and easy to lick. Your kitten will get very dirty learning how to eat. But try not to wet it to clean it as least as possible - you dont want it to get chilled.
5. Potty trainning- When your kitten gets old enougn to start climbing and playing its time to train your kitten as it mother would. After feeding take the kitten and put it it a box with litter. Take your fingers and let it see you scatching in the litter. The kitten will follow your lead and this stimulate it to use the potty.
6. ENJOY having a precious spoiled little baby!
This kitten will be very close to you - b/c u are its "mommy" and u will be proud to have the experience of raising a kitten! Hope u the best!
2007-05-14 23:29:35 · answer #2 · answered by Angel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try, but it will be hard. Try an eyedropper with pet replacement milk every 2-3 hours. They also sell small bottles at pet stores. I never seem to have much luck with rabbits or kittens, before their eyes open. Good Luck.......
2007-05-14 16:10:40 · answer #3 · answered by Out on a limb returns 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They need to be fed kitten formula every 2-3 hours, to be found at a vet clinic or pet store. NOT cows milk, they cannot digest that. Keep them warm as well.
2007-05-14 14:49:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes feed it from the eyedropper every 2-3 hours feed it baby formula
2007-05-14 15:03:30 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I on no account heard of a kitten getting an enema. Vets charge what they opt to for his or her centers. particularly some animals won't consume whilst they are on the vet or in any unusual place'
2016-10-05 02:12:29 · answer #6 · answered by husted 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh no, i am so sorry to hear that. What a big heart you have. what they have said it right and most important make sure they stay warm, I lost a puppy because she got too cold during the night. Good luck to you♥♥
2007-05-14 15:18:24 · answer #7 · answered by *queenfairy1*Antioch California 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Same thing happened to me last summer. My little girl tried bottle feeding but they were to young. We ended up taking them to a shelter, where hopefully they found another mother, to nurse off of.
2007-05-14 15:24:11 · answer #8 · answered by chris j 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes and keep them at a steady warm temp. give them a few dropper fulls every 2 hours.
2007-05-14 14:48:44 · answer #9 · answered by Niki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋