How to care for orphaned kittens?

Question

My neighbors had their cat run over and now have 4 orphaned kittens. What should they do? Specifically about food and care?

Thanks guys! Looks like they went for the shelter/vet option. Lets all hope they do alright!

Answer 1

We've had this problem a lot, living on a farm right off a fairly busy road and our two house cats actually all of this is what we did with them.

For kittens feed them baby pablam (sp?), like the cereal you feed babies. I think we did something like two scoops of the power to one water or something per each kitten. Just enough to make their tummies full and you can tell when they are full. We always put the pablam on a saucer (small plate) so that it was low to the ground and they could kind of just dive into it. The kittens will get it all over themselves and most likely will need to be bathed after eating. Our kittens didnt mind it at all and actually ended up liking water a fair amount as young cats. Also you can give them some milk I believe.

As far as care goes, give them attention and affection. If they are sleeping in a box, put a towel or blanket in the dryer for a minute or so to warm it up and put it in the box under them so they feel like they do if they were sleeping with their mom.

Also little kittens can get guck in the eyes, if this happens put some warm water in a cup and dissolve a little bit of salt in it and then take a towel dip the corner in it and wipe the kittens eyes clean.

If a vet doesn't answer this question, definitely give a vet a call to maybe get some further ideas. These are some of the things we were told and what we did with our kittens and they are now happy, healthy cats.

Answer 2

the vet will usually recommend kitten milk replacer ( kmr for short). I had to bottle feed some kittens and this is what they told me to use. it is also recommended that they feed the kittens every 2 hours until they are at least 4 weeks old and the every 3 hours until they are about 5 to 6 weeks old and then will need to be weaned onto dry kitten food. another tip is to rub their bottoms right before you feed them as this will help them to use the bathroom (mama cat would lick them to make them use the bathroom anyway so this is a good tip to know). also keep them on a heating pad placed under a towel on the lowest setting to keep them from getting burned but keeping them warm in the process. i have had to do this once before like I said above. I hope this information helps you out. oh petsmart sells the KMR for kittens.

Answer 3

How old are they? Under 5 or 6 weeks old, you'll need to bottle feed them with kitten formula every few hours until they are old enough for solids. Young kittens cannot go to the bathroom on their own, you must wipe their little bottoms with a damp paper towel or cotton ball like the mother would with her tongue until they go. Do this after every feeding, they will squirm and cry when you do, that's normal. It's especially important that you get them to poop at least once a day, they tend to get constipated on formula and will need to see the vet for an enema if they don't poop often enough. Get kitten formula and a tiny nurser bottle at the vet's office or at the pet supply store. Make sure you cut a large hole in the nipple so they can eat easily.

Answer 4

We had a momma cat get ran over and leave 7 kittens behind. You need to get kitten formula and little bottle from the store and feed them a lot, I think 4 times a day but not sure it should be on the formula can. and just hold them and pet them because now your their mother. If they have their eyes opened and can really move around by them some little toy mouses.

Hope this helps and i hope the little guys are alright!

Answer 5

Depends on their age.

You'd need to buy KMR kitten formula. Feed them every 2-3 hours using a bottle.

If you massage their bellies, right above their genitels with a damp clothe, this should make them pee. Do this often. They won't eat if they don't pee sometimes.

If their eyes aren't open, they're probably 1-2 weeks old.

Around 4 they start to walk instead of crawl.

At 3-4 weeks they'd be interested in eating regular cat food (in this case, get either canned kitty food or dry kitten food moistened with water). Also around this age they'd be playing with each other and more responsive to stuff around them more (esp towards 4 weeks).

Also, kittens are supposed to gain a certain amount of weight per week. So you'd need to keep track of that to make sure they are eating enough. I forgot the number offhand, but you can look it up on google, Im sure.

Answer 6

You can buy kitten formula at the vet and get good advice about feeding etc. My darling Changa was a Katrina orphan and we fed him formula for kittens every 2-3 hours for a while. He got a respiratory infection, dehydrated from it and we nearly lost him. He doesn't purr, but he is my dear love...nurses on my arm still! Be patient and the effort you put forth will pay tremendous dividends in bonding far beyond that of a non-orphan kitten.

Answer 7

Depending on how young they are, the biggest thing for them to know is to massage their genitals. I know that sounds gross, but very young kittens cannot defecate in any other way.

You can buy canned milk and appropriate sized bottles in the store for orphaned things. They should be fed every few hours.

If its too much for them to handle they can call a local vet or shelter.

Answer 8

depending on how old they are if they are less than 6 weeks old you will need some kmr(kitten milk replacement) and a syringe to feed them the older they are the less often they need fed really young ones every 2 hours believe me they will let you know...if they are 6-8 weeks old you can start weaning them with meat flavored baby food or any gravy type food and then eventually a good quality kitten food such as purina one kitten food (dry) good luck you guys can do it...

Answer 9

Call the Humane Society. They need to have some formula that is like their Mother's milk and they probably have bad cases of worms and parasites. You need to do something quickly if they have diarrhea because they are so fragile they may pass away quickly. Call a vet and ask what to do, most Vets will talk to you.

Answer 10

!!!!!!! bast*rd!!!!! anywayz, get eye droppers if nutrients (ask the vet). kudos for ur efforts!