If you have discovered kittens without a mother nearby, first ensure they are truly abandoned. Abandoned kittens cry almost continuously from hunger, look dirty, and have soiled nests. If the little felines do need your help, work with your veterinarian to provide the best care possible.

Top 5 Tips for Taking Care of Abandoned Kittens

1. Keep Them Warm

Wrap the kittens in towels heated by a heating pad until they stop shivering or seem comfortable, as those under three weeks old have no control over their body temperature. If the bedding you create becomes too hot, the kittens will sleep along the edges. Keep the bedding in a safe, draft-free environment free from disruptions, such as visits from other pets or children.

2. Schedule a Veterinarian Visit

Make an appointment with your local veterinarian to assess the kittens’ health, as they may be dehydrated or have other health issues from early malnutrition. Provide stool samples and discuss feeding times and formulas. Also talk about how much to feed the kittens in one sitting and anything else they need to stay comfortable, such as soft, fur-like blankets that remind them of their mom.

3. Make Formula

Create a cow’s milk-free formula, so the kittens’ tiny digestive systems can handle it. Cow’s milk will cause diarrhea. Work with goat’s milk and other nutrients your veterinarian recommended, and remember the formula should feel lukewarm at most. Follow feeding instructions closely to avoid over- or underfeeding them. Switching from formula to kitten food typically occurs when the felines are between 3 ½ to 4 weeks old.

4. Handle the Kittens Often

After the kittens have opened their eyes, cuddle and play with them frequently, so they get used to the human touch. This is important whether you intend to keep the kittens or find them good homes, as those who go without handling become feral. Give the little felines affection every day, so they grow up into sweet, wonderful cats.

5. Encourage Healthy Elimination & Litter Box Training

Help kittens eliminate after every feeding since they cannot do it on their own during the first few weeks of life. Use a soft, warm, slightly-damp towel or tissue to massage each kitten’s lower abdomen and private areas gently, and wash the kitten after they are finished with another clean, damp cloth. Start litter box training when the kittens are four weeks old.

Schedule your kittens’ first veterinarian visit at Vintage Park Veterinary Clinic to put them on healthy paths for life. The full-service animal hospital in Sacramento, CA, provides a wide array of pet services, including teeth cleanings, spaying and neutering, and microchipping. Call (916) 688-5486 today to schedule an appointment, and visit the website to learn more about their services.