RAISING KITTENS
Raising kittens can be an extremely rewarding experience or it may produce frustration
and failure. The following information is provided in order to increase your chances of
success.
What do I do to care for the newborn kittens?
The mother will spend most of her time with the kittens during the next few days. The
kittens need to be kept warm and to nurse frequently; they should be checked every few
hours to make certain that they are warm and well fed. The mother should be checked to
make certain that she is producing adequate milk.
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.
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.
What should I expect during 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.
I have heard of milk fever. What exactly is it?
Eclampsia or milk fever is a depletion of calcium from the mother due to heavy milk
production. It generally occurs when the kittens are 3-5 weeks old (just before weaning)
and most often to mothers with large litters. The mother has muscle spasms resulting in
rigid legs, spastic movements, and heavy panting. This can be fatal in 30-60 minutes, so
a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.
Do 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. Adult formulations
are not recommended since they do not provide the nutrition required for a kitten.
Advertisements tend to promote taste rather than nutrition so one should be careful that
their influence on purchasing habits is not detrimental to one's cat. Generic foods should
be avoided. Table food is not recommended; although often more appealing than cat
food, balanced, complete nutrition is usually compromised. Dog food should not be fed to
cats since it is deficient in vital nutrients and the amount of protein required by kittens and
adult cats.
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).
When should vaccinations begin?
Kittens are provided some immunity to feline diseases before and shortly after birth. The
mother's antibodies cross the placenta and enter the kittens' circulation. Some
antibodies are also provided in the mother's milk. These "maternal antibodies" protect
the kittens against the diseases to which the mother is immune. This explains why it is
desirable to booster the mother's vaccinations within a few months prior to breeding.
Although very protective, maternal antibodies last for only a few weeks; after this time, the
kitten becomes susceptible to disease. The vaccination program should be started at
about 6 to 8 weeks of age. Kittens should be vaccinated against feline enteritis
(distemper), respiratory organisms (rhinotracheitis, calici, and pneumonitis), and rabies.
If the kitten will be allowed to go outdoors or to be in contact with cats that go outdoors,
leukemia and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) vaccine should also be considered. Your
cat's needs will be discussed at the time of the first visit for vaccinations.
Maternal antibodies are passed in the mother's milk only during the first 1-3 days after
delivery. If, for any reason, the kittens do not nurse during this important period of time,
their vaccinations should begin about 2 to 4 weeks of age, depending on likely disease
exposure. A veterinarian can make specific recommendations for each particular
situation.
Do all kittens have worms?
Intestinal parasites ("worms") are common in kittens. Symptoms include general poor
condition, chronic soft or bloody stools, loss of appetite, a pot-bellied appearance, loss
of luster of the haircoat, and weight loss. Some parasites are transmitted from the mother
to her offspring and others are carried by fleas. Some are transmitted through the stool of
an infected cat. Very few of these parasites are visible in the stool, so their eggs must be
detected by the veterinarian with a microscope.
A microscopic examination of the feces will reveal the eggs of most of these parasites.
Generally this test should be performed at the time of the first vaccinations. However, it
may be performed as early as three weeks of age if a parasite problem is suspected.
Treatment is based on the type of parasites found although some veterinarians elect to
deworm all kittens because they know that fecal tests can be falsely negative. Your
veterinarian should be consulted for specific recommendations for your kittens.
Raising kittens can be an extremely rewarding experience or it may produce frustration
and failure. The following information is provided in order to increase your chances of
success.
What do I do to care for the newborn kittens?
The mother will spend most of her time with the kittens during the next few days. The
kittens need to be kept warm and to nurse frequently; they should be checked every few
hours to make certain that they are warm and well fed. The mother should be checked to
make certain that she is producing adequate milk.
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.
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.
What should I expect during 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.
I have heard of milk fever. What exactly is it?
Eclampsia or milk fever is a depletion of calcium from the mother due to heavy milk
production. It generally occurs when the kittens are 3-5 weeks old (just before weaning)
and most often to mothers with large litters. The mother has muscle spasms resulting in
rigid legs, spastic movements, and heavy panting. This can be fatal in 30-60 minutes, so
a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.
Do 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. Adult formulations
are not recommended since they do not provide the nutrition required for a kitten.
Advertisements tend to promote taste rather than nutrition so one should be careful that
their influence on purchasing habits is not detrimental to one's cat. Generic foods should
be avoided. Table food is not recommended; although often more appealing than cat
food, balanced, complete nutrition is usually compromised. Dog food should not be fed to
cats since it is deficient in vital nutrients and the amount of protein required by kittens and
adult cats.
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).
When should vaccinations begin?
Kittens are provided some immunity to feline diseases before and shortly after birth. The
mother's antibodies cross the placenta and enter the kittens' circulation. Some
antibodies are also provided in the mother's milk. These "maternal antibodies" protect
the kittens against the diseases to which the mother is immune. This explains why it is
desirable to booster the mother's vaccinations within a few months prior to breeding.
Although very protective, maternal antibodies last for only a few weeks; after this time, the
kitten becomes susceptible to disease. The vaccination program should be started at
about 6 to 8 weeks of age. Kittens should be vaccinated against feline enteritis
(distemper), respiratory organisms (rhinotracheitis, calici, and pneumonitis), and rabies.
If the kitten will be allowed to go outdoors or to be in contact with cats that go outdoors,
leukemia and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) vaccine should also be considered. Your
cat's needs will be discussed at the time of the first visit for vaccinations.
Maternal antibodies are passed in the mother's milk only during the first 1-3 days after
delivery. If, for any reason, the kittens do not nurse during this important period of time,
their vaccinations should begin about 2 to 4 weeks of age, depending on likely disease
exposure. A veterinarian can make specific recommendations for each particular
situation.
Do all kittens have worms?
Intestinal parasites ("worms") are common in kittens. Symptoms include general poor
condition, chronic soft or bloody stools, loss of appetite, a pot-bellied appearance, loss
of luster of the haircoat, and weight loss. Some parasites are transmitted from the mother
to her offspring and others are carried by fleas. Some are transmitted through the stool of
an infected cat. Very few of these parasites are visible in the stool, so their eggs must be
detected by the veterinarian with a microscope.
A microscopic examination of the feces will reveal the eggs of most of these parasites.
Generally this test should be performed at the time of the first vaccinations. However, it
may be performed as early as three weeks of age if a parasite problem is suspected.
Treatment is based on the type of parasites found although some veterinarians elect to
deworm all kittens because they know that fecal tests can be falsely negative. Your
veterinarian should be consulted for specific recommendations for your kittens.
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Animal Hospital of Fate 1001 North W.E.Crawford (Highway 66 in Fate) Rockwall, Texas 75087 972-722-0066 |
1001 North W.E.Crawford (Highway 66 in Fate) Rockwall, Texas 75087 972-722-0066 |
Darren L. Goucher, DVM Dusty B. Goucher, DVM The Staff of the Animal Hospital of Fate |