If
the mother does not stay in the box, the kittens' temperature must be
monitored. If the kittens are cold, supplemental heating should be provided.
During the first four days of life, the newborns' box should be maintained at
85º to 90ºF (29.4º to 32.2ºC). The temperature may gradually be decreased
to 80ºF (26.7ºC) by the seventh to tenth day and to 72ºF (22.2ºC) by the
end of the fourth week. If the litter is large, the temperature need not be as
high. As kittens huddle together, their body heat provides additional warmth.
If the mother feels the kittens
are in danger or if there is too much light, she may become anxious. Placing a
sheet or cloth over most of the top of the box to obscure much of the light
may resolve the problem. An enclosed box is also a solution. Some cats,
especially first-time mothers, are more anxious than others. Such cats may
attempt to hide their young, even from her owner. Moving from place to place
may continue and will endanger the kittens if they are placed in a cold or
drafty location. Cats with this behavior should be caged in a secluded area.
This type of mother has also been known to kill her kittens as a means of
"protecting" them from danger.
What are the signs that the
kittens are not doing well and what do I do?
Kittens should eat or sleep 90% of
the time during the first two weeks. If they are crying during or after
eating, they are usually becoming ill or are not getting adequate milk. A
newborn kitten is very susceptible to infections and can die within 24 hours.
If excessive crying occurs, the mother and entire litter should be promptly
examined by a veterinarian. Also
monitor the Queen for eclampsia-a condition where she depletes her calcium
supply to feed the kittens-this will cause her to become lethargic or have
epileptic like seizures. Please
bring mother and babies in immediately.
When the milk supply is
inadequate, supplemental feeding one to three times per day is recommended and
should be performed on any litter with more than five kittens. There are
several commercial formulas available that are made to supply the needs of
kittens. They require no preparation other than warming. They should be warmed
to 95º to 100ºF (35º to 37.8ºC) before feeding. Its temperature can be
tested on one's forearm; it should be about the same as one's skin. An
alternative is canned goats' milk that is available in most grocery stores.
The commercial products have directions concerning feeding amounts. If the
kittens are still nursing from their mother, the amounts recommended will be
excessive. Generally, 1/3 to 1/2 of the listed amount should be the daily
goal. Supplemental feeding may be continued until the kittens are old enough
to eat kitten food.
If the mother does not produce
milk or her milk becomes infected, the kittens will also cry. If this occurs,
the entire litter could die within 24 to 48 hours. Total replacement feeding,
using the mentioned products, or adopting the kittens to another nursing
mother is usually necessary. If replacement feeding is chosen, the amounts of
milk listed on the product should be fed. Kittens less than two weeks of age
should be fed every 3-4 hours. Kittens 2-4 weeks of age do well with feedings
every 6-8 hours. Weaning, as described below, should begin at 3-4 weeks of
age.
The kittens' first few weeks of
life
For
the first month of life kittens require very little care from the owner
because their mother will feed and care for them. They are born with their
eyes closed, but they will open in 7 to 14 days. If swelling or bulging is
noted under the eyelids, they should be opened gently. A cotton ball dampened
with warm water may be used to assist opening the lids. If the swelling is due
to infection, pus will exit the open eyelids and should be treated as
prescribed by a veterinarian. If the eyes have not opened within 14 days of
age, they should be opened by a veterinarian.
Kittens should be observed for their rate of growth. They should double their birth weight in about one week.
At two weeks of age, kittens
should be alert and trying to stand. At three weeks, they generally try to
climb out of their box. At four weeks, all of the kittens should be able to
walk, run, and play.
Kittens should begin eating solid
food about 3½
to 4½
weeks of age. Initially, one of the milk replacers or cow's milk diluted 50:50
with water should be placed in a flat saucer. The kittens' noses should be
dipped into the milk two or three times per day until they begin to lap; this
usually takes 1-3 days. Next, canned kitten food should be placed in the milk
until it is soggy. As the kittens lap the milk, they will also ingest the
food. The amount of milk should be decreased daily until they are eating the
canned food with little or no moisture added; this should occur by 4 to 6
weeks of age.
Kittens need a special diet
Diet is extremely important for a
growing kitten. There are many commercial foods specially formulated for
kittens. These foods meet their unique nutritional requirements and should be
fed until 12 months of age. Kitten foods are available in dry and canned
formulations. Dry foods are less expensive and can be left in the bowl for the
kitten to eat at will. Kittens will eat small amounts as often as 12 times
during the day. Canned foods offer a change and are just as nutritious.
We recommend that you buy FOOD FORMULATED FOR KITTENS.
We recommend that you buy NAME
BRAND FOOD. It is generally a good idea to avoid generic brands of food. We
recommend that you only buy food that has the AAFCO (American Association of
Feed Control Officials) certification. Usually, you can find this information
very easily on the food label. AAFCO is an organization that oversees the
entire pet food industry. It does not endorse any particular food, but it will
tell you if the food has met the minimum requirements for nutrition, which are
set by the industry. Most of the commercial pet foods will have the AAFCO
label. In Canada, look for foods approved by the Canadian Veterinary Medical
Association (CVMA).
Vaccinations and worms
Please read the information on new kittens already written up for you!
This client information sheet is based on material written by Ernest E. Ward Jr.,
DVM.
© Copyright 2002 Lifelearn Inc. Used with permission under license. March 11, 2004.