What you should do if you find kittens
You've found Kittens
What is the condition of the kitten(s)? If the kittens seem well cared for it is very likely that mom is nearby. Unless the kittens are in immediate danger, avoid handling them. Do not stand next to the kittens while waiting for mom to return, you're likely keeping mom away from her kittens. Keep watch from a distance for at least 4 hours.
It is always best to contact a rescue group if kittens are spotted outside, the goal is always to keep the family together. Contacting a rescue can get a team into action for trapping mom.
If mom has not come back n 4-6 hours the neonatal kittens start to be at risk. It's best to have the rescue care for the kittens and continue to attempt trapping/locating mom.
Trapping mom ensures that she is spayed and will no longer contribute to the over population problem.
Kittens in danger
If kittens are in immediate danger, it is important to secure them and bring them to safety. Please contact us or a local rescue organization for guidance.
Risk Factors:
The kittens are sick or injured, the kittens are emaciated, extreme weather conditions, they are at risk of predators, mother has not been back in over 6 hours.
Always do what's best for the cats
Touching the kittens or moving them if not necessary puts them at greater risk. As much as we can provide supplementation for the kittens, we are no match for the care a mama cat can provide.
Our goal is to safety secure the entire family whenever possible, this way the mom can be spayed and never have to worry about having any more kittens.
If mom is sadly not available, we have the tools and knowledge to care for neonatal kittens. Or we try to match them with another nursing queen in care.
The ultimate goal of our rescue is to reduced the feline overpopulation issue of the of the Ottawa region.
Understanding Neonatal Kittens
Neonatal Kittens
Newborn
- Newborn kittens will have their eyes closed, their ears folded, and their umbilical cord attached. Their nose and paws may appear pink in colour. At this age, they cannot hear or see; they can only navigate the world around them through scent and through seeking warmth and comfort.
- A newborn kitten will have a low temperature of 95-97 degrees, which will go up to 100 degrees over the course of the first week. During this time it is critical to provide a gentle heat source to keep the kitten warm and stable. The kitten's environment should be between 85 and 90 degrees at this time.
- Newborns do not have a gag reflex. For this reason, it is essential to feed very slowly and with extreme caution.
- At 0-1 days, the umbilical cord will be attached and wet.
- At 1-5 days, the umbilical cord will be attached and dry. Around 4-5 days of age the kitten will naturally lose the umbilical cord. Never attempt to remove it manually; allow it to fall off on its own.
- The first 48 hours of a kitten's life are a critical period for obtaining maternal antibodies through nursing. During the first two days, a nursing mother may pass immunity to her kitten through colostrum, which will help the kitten fight illness. If a kitten does not receive the colostrum, she will be immune compromised and more vulnerable to disease and infection.
- Average newborn kitten weight: 50-150 grams
- Newborn kitten care schedule: orphan newborns should be fed every 2 hours, including overnight. You may choose to syringe feed at this age, or to bottle feed. Newborns will also need to be stimulated to go to the bathroom.
One Week
- One week old kittens will have closed eyes, but no umbilical cord.
- Around 7 days, the ear canals will slowly begin to open.
- Around 8-12 days, the eyes will slowly begin to open. Never attempt to pry open a kitten's eyes; let them open naturally. All kittens will be born with baby blue eyes, which will change to their adult eye color as they age.
- By one week of age, the kitten should have doubled her birth weight.
- One week old kittens cannot regulate body temperature. During this time it is critical to provide a gentle heat source to keep the kitten warm and stable. The kitten's environment should be roughly 85 degrees at this time.
- Average one week old kitten weight: 150-250 grams
- One week old kitten care schedule: orphans of this age should be bottle fed every 2-3 hours, including overnight. One week old kittens will also need to be stimulated to go to the bathroom.
Two Weeks
- At two weeks of age, kittens' eyes will be fully open and baby blue. Her vision will still be developing.
- The ear canals will be open and the ears will be small and rounded, like a baby bear cub.
- Two week old kittens will be wobbly on their feet and attempting to develop coordination and movement.
- Two week old kittens cannot regulate body temperature. During this time it is critical to provide a gentle heat source to keep the kitten warm and stable. The kitten's environment should be around 80 degrees at this time.
- At two weeks, it is safe to begin dewormer for the kitten.
- Average two week old kitten weight: 250-350 grams
- Two week old kitten care schedule: orphans of this age should be bottle fed every 3-4 hours, including overnight. Two week old kittens will also need to be stimulated to go to the bathroom.
Three Weeks
- At three weeks of age, a kitten's first teeth will begin to emerge. The tiny teeth at the front of the mouth, called the incisors, will start to come through the gums.
- Three week old kittens will have ears that point upwards, like a miniature cat.
- At this age, kittens will be walking, exploring their surroundings, and even beginning to explore the litter box.
- Three week old kittens still require a heat source, but will be more active and may stray from it when not sleeping. The kitten's environment should be around 75 degrees at this time.
- Average three week old kitten weight: 350-450 grams
- Three week old kitten care schedule: orphans of this age should be bottle fed every 4-5 hours, including overnight. Three week old kittens will be transitioning from being stimulated to go to the bathroom to learning how to use the litterbox.
Four Weeks
- At four weeks of age, a kitten's teeth will continue to develop. The long tooth next to the incisors, called the canine teeth, will start to come through the gums.
- Four week old kittens will be confidently exploring and developing more coordination that allows them to walk, run, and even begin to play.
- Continue providing a heat source for four week old kittens, although they will likely use it only when resting. The kitten's environment should stay comfortably warm and never colder than 70-75 degrees.
- Average four week old kitten weight: 350-450 grams
- Four week old kitten care schedule: orphans of this age should be bottle fed every 5 hours, including overnight. Four week old kittens will generally be using the litter box.