I found an orphaned kitten; what do I do now?

It happens all the time; orphaned kittens are found in mundane as well as unusual places, and depending on how young they are, and how long they have been without their mother’s care, they are usually in need of prompt attention.

Kittens become orphaned for many reasons; their mother was lost through illness or accident, the kittens were moved while she was hunting for food, she was disturbed while moving the kittens and wasn’t able to get back to all of them, access to them was suddenly cut off, or her own health was not sufficient to care for them.

Orphaned kittens, from newborn to a few weeks of age, are at the most crucial and dangerous time of their lives. Warmth, nourishment, and removal of external parasites (fleas, ticks, grubs) are needed as soon as possible to give them the best chance at life. Hopefully, the following information will help!

Warmth:

Very young kittens are unable to generate heat on their own, and must rely on external sources for warmth. Clean towels heat fluffed from the dryer, and ALLOWED TO COOL to a safe temperature is a fast way to bring warmth to a needy kitten. Heating tightly-capped plastic bottles of water (filled ¾ full) in the microwave, then wrapped in towels to protect them from the bottle’s direct heat, is a fast way to provide a “nest” of warmth for the kitten.

Nourishment:

Regular whole cow’s milk or human baby formula should never be fed to baby kittens. Their immature digestive tracts are already unstable and they will probably get diarrhea. Diarrhea in orphaned kittens can quickly dehydrate them, further compromising their chance at survival. A better solution is KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement) a commercial product available at most pet stores in both liquid and powder formulas. Also, a homemade kitten formula can be used.

Just like human babies, their formula needs to be heated to wrist temperature (95-100 degrees Fahrenheit). The younger the kitten, the more frequently they need to be fed. Kittens that are just a few days old should be fed about every 2-2 1/2 hours. The time between feedings can be gradually increased after they are about week old. At two weeks, they should be eating about every 4-6 hours. These times will vary depending upon the kitten’s health and appetite. By the third or fourth week small amounts of wet kitten food can be mixed with the formula to start weaning them from the formula and onto regular kitten food.

As newborns, kittens are allowed, even encouraged to drink as much as they want of the formula. Kitten feeding bottles are usually available at pet stores, complete with rubber nipples. If the kitten is sucking too hard and the nipple opening becomes blocked with formula, snip the end of the opening slightly to allow faster flow of the formula.

Assisted bowel and urine elimination:

Tiny kittens may not be able to eliminate on their own. Approximately 5-15 minutes after feeding encourage them to have a bowel movement and/or urinate by using a warm, damp and soft piece of cotton or cloth and gently rubbing the lower abdomen and genital area to stimulate the natural elimination process. If nothing happens within 30 seconds, stop. Wait 10 minutes and try again. Don’t do this to the point of irritation or pain. Don’t worry if elimination doesn’t happen after every feeding.

Removal of external parasites:

Parasites can severely compromise a kitten’s chances for survival if not removed immediately. Fleas and ticks may need to be “hand-picked” from a kitten’s tiny body, and any cuterebras (grubs that create and live in pockets under the skin) need to be removed promptly, preferably by a veterinarian.

Be sure to have a veterinarian examine your kitten at the earliest opportunity.

Your veterinarian can be instrumental in helping you care for your orphaned kitten. Often, prompt medical care by your veterinarian can be the deciding factor in the health and life of a tiny furry baby.

Caring for young kittens can be fun and very fulfilling! If you have any questions or concerns while caring for an orphaned kitten, please feel free to call us at (616) 949-0960.

Tam Norton
Feline Afficionado

Home-made Emergency Food for Newborn Orphaned Kittens and Convalescent Cats

Popularly known as "Kitty Glop" among kitten care givers, it is packed with nutrition for orphaned kittens, nursing mother cats and their babies, cats recuperating from illness, and older cats who need nutritional supplementing or who have difficulty eating because of dental or gum problems.

Some recipes call for canned goats milk; if you have it readily available it's fine, otherwise canned evaporated cow’s milk works well. The recipe sets up to a gelatin-like consistency in the refrigerator, and can be stored there for up to two weeks. It can also be frozen in an ice tray for convenience in serving.

To serve, warm to room temperature (or wrist temperature for tiny kittens). Do not pour back unused portions into the mix.

• 12oz of water
• 1 envelope Knox Gelatin
• 1 12oz can of whole evaporated milk (not skim) or goat’s milk
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, not nonfat

Boil the water, add the gelatin - stir well.

Add the following ingredients, in order, mixing well after each addition:

• 1/2 of the canned milk
• mayonnaise and yogurt
• the rest of the milk

For adult cats, or older kittens, variations include the addition of kitty vitamins, acidophilus, and/or pureed baby food meat such as lamb, chicken, or beef. For very easy mixing, you can use a blender at low speed, or mix in a bowl with a wire whisk.