Caring for Newborn Kittens: A Basic Guide

Finding a litter of tiny, helpless kittens can be both heartwarming and alarming. Your first instinct might be to scoop them up, but it's vital to proceed with caution. The best caregiver for kittens is always their mother.

Disclaimer: This is a basic guide for emergency situations. Caring for "bottle-baby" kittens is a round-the-clock commitment that requires training and resources. Always contact a local rescue or vet for guidance.

First: Don't Kit-Nap!

Before you do anything, you must determine if the mother cat is still around. She is likely out searching for food and will return. Observe the kittens from a distance for several hours. If they seem clean, quiet, and are sleeping in a pile, mom is probably taking good care of them. Only intervene if the kittens are in immediate danger (on a busy road, in flood water) or if you are certain after many hours that the mother has not returned and the kittens are crying and dirty.

Warmth is Priority #1

Newborn kittens cannot regulate their own body temperature and can get fatally chilled very easily. This is even more critical than food. If you must bring them inside, create a warm, safe nest. Use a box lined with soft blankets and provide a gentle heat source, like a heating pad on low (with a towel over it) or a sock filled with rice and microwaved. The kittens must have space to move away from the heat if they get too warm.

Feeding Newborn Kittens

If mom is not present, the kittens will need to be bottle-fed. This is a demanding job that requires feeding every 2-3 hours, 24/7.

• NEVER give kittens cow's milk. It will cause severe digestive upset. You must use Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR), available at most pet stores.
• Feed them on their stomach, never on their back, to prevent them from aspirating formula into their lungs.
• Use a specially designed kitten bottle or syringe.

Potty Assistance

Very young kittens cannot urinate or defecate on their own. After every feeding, you must gently stimulate their genital area with a warm, damp cotton ball or soft cloth to encourage them to go. This mimics the mother's licking.

Caring for orphaned newborns is an immense challenge. They are incredibly fragile. Your best and first step should always be to reach out to an experienced resource like Balthis Family Rescue for help and guidance.