Help! How do I take care of baby kitten?

Question

I found a baby kitten this morning. Its eyes are open and it can walk around clumsily. I've started bottle feeding it. What else should I do to help it?

Answer 1

by "bottle feeding" I hope you mean kitten formula, not cow's milk. Cow's milk doesn't have the right nutrition. It can even give kittens "the runs" which isn't good for them (if they have it very long they can get dehydrated).

If you haven't been using kitten formula, get some ASAP. Many walmarts have it, as well as Pet stores.

They also have teeny bottles just the right size, if you don't already have one.

Just keep the baby warm and out of drafts.

Conisider taking it to the vet for check-up/advice

if it doesn't "potty" on it's own, you should get an old (but clean) wet rag and rub it's bottom affter feeding. (Gently) Mother cats lick young kitten's bums to stimulate them to potty. But that depends on how young the kitten is. If it pottys on it's own, don't worry about it.

Answer 2

I remember the time I found one. I managed to buy him six years of life until a heart defect caught up with him. He was a huge cat...good furball. It is some work to help them, but so worth it.

You are bottle feeding him, that is good. I think there are cans of milk you can buy...Emilac or something like that. Most the pet stores have them. As he got bigger, I mixed wet food in with the milk to help wean him away from the bottle. Cut the nipple of the bottle down to widen the opening when you do this.

OK, get ready...this next part might gross some of you out. Is the kitten going to the bathroom OK? Thing is, kittens might need help going...so the mother will lick their privates to help get it started. Yes, I'm completely serious on this. So, if the kitten isn't going to the bathroom, you need to take some cotton, wet it, and do that to the kitten lightly. Get ready with a towl, because they go immediately. If you don't need to do this, breathe a sigh of relief. If you do...don't worry...they take on their own to a litter box before too long.

The only other danger I can think of to kittens is fleas, and with fleas bring tapeworms. The pet store sells products to get rid of fleas with stuff you can put on the back of their neck, and it works great. Only catch is the kitten might need to be of a certain age before you can use it...check the directions on the package. If it is too soon, you can do it the old fashioned way with a flea comb.

If you get too stuck, contact a vet, as they can answer some of the tougher questions and offer advice.

Good luck with this, I hope you get many good years of companionship and enjoyment from your new friend.

Answer 3

Regular milk might cause digestive problems if that's what you are feeding it. Can you get some canned baby formula? I raised a whole litter on that stuff (Enfamil or Similac). You have to feed every couple of hours and provide a warm place for it to sleep. Provide a litter pan, put him in there after feeding and gently use his paws to scratch it around. Otherwise, don't handle it too much and if the eyes start to crust up, it needs to go to the vet ASAP. You can start offering good kitten diet in a dish too and encourage him to try it.

But I'm not an expert on kittens, just know what I experienced.

Good luck with him. I once got a kitten way too early from its momma too and thank goodness he converted to kitten food fast. He turned out to be a great cat too. A real mama's boy !LOL!

Answer 4

You're lucky! I've been trying to find a new kitten (they go so fast!). Keep the new kitten....he/she will bring so much joy into your life. Do not give milk and buy some kitten food and some water or kitten milk (from the vet)-through the bottle. Do not leave plastic bags around (he/she can choke) or doors open. Try and keep in a small room and give lots of attention. Best of luck....you will be a great Mommy!

Answer 5

I would call the SPCA or your local animal shelter immediately. They will try and find a "foster" feline mother who will raise the kitten as her own. Also, the vet can check to make sure Kitty is properly hydrated and is in good general condition. They can provide you with instructions to help raise a healthy, well-adjusted kitty and assure her overall condition. It sounds like the kitten you have found has not yet been weaned properly, so I recommend making the call sooner than later.

In the meantime, it is very important to keep Kitty warm at all times. Also, if you are feeding it milk, it is better to get a formula designed for kitties, as human milk does not have the nutrients Kitty requires.

Answer 6

1. Don't give milk, other than kitten formula milk, because it gives them diarrhea.
2. Try giving him a little boiled chicken cut in very small pieces or some kitten canned food, or feline a/d to see if he can eat.
3. Keep him in a warm and soft place.
4. When he starts eating, you can introduce Waltham Weaning formula to him.
5. When he is 4-5 weeks old, he will need de-worming. Go to a vet to determine his age.

Answer 7

I had this same situation with considered one of my cats whilst she exchange right into a baby. How are you attempting to feed it to them? Use the alternative milk, and use considered one of those bottles you need to purchase at walmart for decrease than a dollar, cut back a slit contained in the impressive. consistently save them on their bellies like they could be whilst they're getting milk from their mom (or you are able to desire to kill them from what i've got study). in spite of everything that, attempt heating up the alternative milk... my kitten does no longer touch it except it exchange into, properly, what i presumed exchange into too warm yet attempt each and every thing.

Answer 8

Here ya go. 60 ml of SOY milk formula every day. No more, no less. Have a small pan with food and water for her/him if it gets hungry after its bottle. Keep a small pan with cat litter in your bathroom. If it does not go to the bathroom you WILL have to get a cotton swab and gently wipe their privates, ,ay be disgusting, but if you don't do it the poor little thing could die from his system backing up. Everything else should be in your bathroom as well. Get a small blanket for it to sleep in, it provides a sense of security and comfort. Give it a stuffed animal, actually 2, one bigger than it is, and one smaller. Let it around your room, but don't let it roam free yet. Give it about 2 weeks of getting used to its new home. If you want, you could let it out, but make sure to glue your eyes to it. They are VERY adventurous right now. Lastly, get it a small toy that it can move on its own, it makes it more playful and active. I have one thats five and a half weeks old right now, attacking my cpu as I type.........................................................................sorry, had to remove "squirt" to solitary for attacking my knee. Oh, and one more thing, get dewormer medicine and give it the recommended dose RIGHT AWAY!!!! He may be cute, but he's also crawlin with worms. That should take care of your little one for now.

Answer 9

KEEP HIS EYES CLEAN WITH WARM WATER AND USE Q TIPS.

ALSO TRY TO KEEP THE KITTEN WARM WITH A FEW BLANKETS

WHEN HE REALLY STARTS EATING TRY TO FEED HIM TUNA OR DRY FOOD WET IT A LITTLE TILL THE SCARE OF WET FOOD IS OVER.

ALSO GO TO:

http://cats.about.com/od/kittencare/Kitten_Care_All_Aspects_of_Kitten_Care.htm

Answer 10

kitty needs a heating pad set to lew and a towel over the pad to sleep on, and maybe a stffed animal or rolled up towel to lay against. Keep an eye out for mama cat near where you found it.