How to Care for Kittens

Your cat’s health is very important. You should always ask your veterinarian when in doubt, but it is important to learn about such things on your own. That way, you will not only notice symptoms faster, you can also save some money and grief. If you want to be sure that you cat is getting treatment as soon as possible, you need to watch for signs that something may be wrong with your pet.

Kittens need extra care and attention in order to stay safe and healthy. If your cat has recently had kittens, you need to be a second mother to these new little additions to the family. It is crucial that you provide the best possible care and environment for them during their first few weeks of life.

What’s normal and what’s not: During the first few days of a kitten’s life, his or her mother will spend most of her time lying with the kittens. This is a natural for the mother cat. It is “programmed” into her through thousands of years of evolution. You should put the food and water to be very close to the mother so she doesn’t have to roam to find nourishment. Check the mother cat a few times during the day to make sure that she is producing milk properly. If the mother leaves her kittens along constantly, something may be wrong. First-time mothers are especially prone to bouts of anxiousness. When a mother is worried about her kittens, she may move them constantly. If she feels very threatened, she may even kill her kittens to “protect” them. If you see your mother cat exhibiting any unusual symptoms mentioned above, monitor her activity and the kittens closely. If things get out of control, consider keeping her caged.

The environment kitten needs: Kittens need a very warm temperature to survive. If the mother does not stay with the kittens (see above), you should probably use an external heat source, like a heat lamp. Large litters will typically stay warm by themselves. Make sure that the box where the newborn kittens are staying is about 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit for at least the first week of life. However, mothers may feel as through their kittens are in danger if there is too much light. You can calm an anxious mother by placing a blanket loosely over the top of the box.

Kittens need to sleep: Don’t be alarmed if the kittens are not moving around much at first. Newborn kittens sleep and eat 90% of the time for the first two weeks of life. Crying is common if the mother leaves for any amount of time, but if the kittens cry excessively, it may signal that they are not getting enough to eat or they are sick. Call your vet if this occurs. You should also call your vet for special instructions if there are more than 5 kittens in the litter, which may mean that the mother cannot supply enough milk. In general, it is simply best to talk to your vet about what to expect with your new kittens.