There are a lot of things to consider when caring for a newborn kitten. Today, our White Settlement veterinarians discuss how to care for a baby kitten, what can go wrong, and when you should take them to the veterinarian for the first time.
How to Care For a Kitten
Kittens are adorable and lovable household pets, however, they have very specific needs that have to be taken care of. These needs are different for every stage of their life, and if something goes wrong or is missed it can impact their overall health and longevity. Here we talk about how you can care for your new furry friend during their kitten years.
Caring for a Newborn Kitten
When a kitten is between the ages of 0 and 4, it is considered a newborn because it is still learning to meow, walk, and regulate its body temperature. If they have a mother, she will be able to take care of the majority of the work, including feeding. All you have to do is ensure that the mother is healthy and that they are in a warm and secure environment. Make sure their crate/area has a blanket on the floor and a warm bed for them to sleep in. If the kitten does not have a mother, however, the first thing you should do is take it to the veterinarian. Your veterinarian will be able to assess the kitten's health and advise you on their needs.
Keep Your Newborn Kitten Warm
If the kitten does not have a mother, you will need to do more to keep them warm by using a heating disk in the crate or a heating pad on low heat underneath a blanket in their cage. You should also make a cozy nest out of blankets for the kitten to sleep in. It's critical to check that the heating pad isn't too hot by touching it with your hands and to provide a comfortable place in your kitten's cage/crate that isn't heated where they can go if they get too hot.
Because kittens can catch hypothermia if they get too cold, you should keep their area at 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius) until they are about 6 weeks old.
Feeding Your Newborn Kitten
Another thing you'll have to do for a newborn kitten without a mother is to feed them and make sure they get the nutrition they need. Every 2-4 hours, you'll need to bottle feed your kitten a special kitten formula. Because each kitten is unique, your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best formula to use, as well as how much and how often you should feed your kitten. Kittens need to gain about 12 ounces (14 grams) per day or 4 ounces (113 grams) per week to grow healthy. Never give your cat cow milk, and make sure they're getting the same formula every time. Your cat will also need to be kept warm in order to digest food properly.
As Your Kitten Grows Older
When the kitten you're caring for is around 5/6 to 10 weeks old, you should wean them off of their mother's milk and begin feeding them high-protein meals 3 to 4 times a day. To begin, pour the formula into a food bowl and, if desired, add a little softened hard food or canned soft food to aid in the process. Because their motor skills are improving, they will become more adventurous at this stage, and you will need to keep a close eye on them to ensure they do not get themselves into trouble. As they are between the ages of 2 and 4, they will require a lot of supervision and hands-on bonding playtime.
When your kitten is 4 to 6 months old, they will begin to enter their adolescent years. This is also when you should start thinking about having them spayed or neutered before they reach the 6 - 8 month mark, as they are generally very troublesome and may require some behavioral modification.
Preventive Care For Your Kitten
No matter how old your kitten is you should take them for their first veterinary appointment during the first week they are in your care. Your veterinarian will evaluate the health of your kitten as well as inform you of their dietary needs. This also provides you with the opportunity to ask any questions you may have in regards to the care of your new family member.
Making sure your kitten gets routine preventive care is essential, including wellness exams, routine vaccinations, and parasite prevention.
Regular wellness exams give your vet the opportunity to assess the overall health and well-being of your kitten including their dietary requirements. Your vet will also be able to detect any diseases early before they become severe when they are easier and more affordable to treat.
You also need to make sure your kitten gets all of its vaccinations and parasite prevention on schedule. Your kitten should come in for their first round of shots when they are 6 to 8 weeks old, and you should have them spayed or neutered when they are 5 to 6 months old. This prevents any serious diseases or conditions from arising in the first place.
What Can Go Wrong?
There are many things to keep an eye out for when caring for a kitten at every stage of its life that could indicate a problem or even a veterinary emergency. If your kitten exhibits any of the symptoms listed below, contact your veterinarian right away to schedule an appointment.
Here is what you need to keep an eye out for in a newborn kitten:
- Delays or difficulties in motor skills or coordination
- Lethargy
- Refusing food (especially if being bottle-fed)
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
When your kitten is 4 weeks old or older you still need to keep an eye out for the signs above in addition to these behavioral signs:
- Litter box usage/ not using the litter box
- Signs of play biting or aggression
- Fears and other concerning behaviors that should be managed when they are still young