Or Is Momma Cat Watching?
Written by Rita Reimers, Multi Cat Behavior Expert
UPDATED: Originally published on July 31, 2020
Finding Kittens: It happens every year around this time. Early Spring, when the first of the season’s kittens has been borne.
As a cat rescue volunteer, cat behaviorist, and I am a well-known “cat lady” by the local shelters. I was once contacted by a lady who had four tiny one-month-old orphaned kittens on her hands. She had taken them in when someone dumped a pregnant mom cat in her neighborhood. She had been watching out for the mother cat and her kittens, borne shortly after her abandonment.
Sadly, momma cat was eventually hit by a car, so these tiny ones were truly orphaned and alone.
Had we not known for sure that cat mom was dead, we could have been taking away a cat’s babies, This would have devastated the mom cat and driven her into mourning. The kittens could have needlessly had a less than ideal start in life. When kittens are found alone, remember that Momma cat may be off hunting for food. Tiny kittens are far better off being with their mother, both nutritionally and emotionally.
Kittens separated from their mothers too young in life, especially in the first 4 weeks of their lives, can have a number of behavioral and physical issues. These issues may well stay with them for life.
She Found Some Kittens Alone
This kind hearted and well-meaning rescuer truly had no idea what to do to ensure their survival, as I discovered when I arrived to pick them up and to take them to a foster home.
So just what DOES one do when tiny baby kittens are found abandoned? And how does one ensure they get everything they need to survive and thrive, both physically and behaviorally?
Are Found Kittens Truly Abandoned?
It is not wise to simply assume that a clutch of kittens hidden alone in the bushes has truly been abandoned by a mother cat.
Keep and eye on the kittens and watch for momma cat to return, observing from a distance so she won’t stay away due to the presence of humans. It may take several hours before she returns, and if she does, then offer her food and shelter.
It’s best for mom and kittens if they can stay where they are, unless they are in imminent danger of course. If the kittens need to be moved for their own safety, contact local rescues for assistance and guidance in moving them to a safer place.
If momma cat does not return with a day, then it’s relatively safe to assume she’s not around. Then, bring the kittens inside and prepare to become a surrogate cat mother.
In the case of the kittens I rescued, we knew their mom was deceased and that these kittens were truly orphaned.
For the first 4 weeks of life, they were with their cat mother. The lady who found them was giving mom cat and the kittens food and offering them shelter. She was being careful not to disturb their nest or upset mom cat.
However, they were living in the parking lot of a trailer park and in that did put them in imminent danger. Moving mom and kittens to a truly safe location would have spared mother cat from being hit by a car. The kittens would not have become orphaned, and would have had a better start in life.
A Warm Environment is Critical For Kittens
Young kittens need a very warm environment, as they can lose body heat quickly. A heating pad set on low temperature with soft towels on top of it to make a nest will provide a good nest for the kittens. Until they are around 5 weeks of age, kittens should be in a place away from any drafts in a room that is no cooler than 80 degrees.
It is important to keep tiny kittens away from other animals during their first tender weeks of life, optimally in a quiet area of the house. This was one mistake the lady I picked up the kittens from was making. These kittens were put in a cage that was in a kitchen area, with another cat in the same vicinity. There were also 3 dogs who were constantly barking in an adjoining room. This is stress that wee ones do not need and cannot tolerate well in their first few weeks of life.
Proper Nutrition for Abandoned Kittens
It is vitally important that tiny kittens are fed properly to ensure their nutritional needs are met for their rapidly developing bodies. Just like human babies, in the first weeks of life tiny kittens must eat every few hours. In fact until around the age of 4 weeks, kittens need to be bottle fed as they are too young to eat on their own. A “mothers milk” replacement for cats is essential to providing the nutrition their growing bodies need. Kitten formula can be found at any pet supply store.
I would like to take this opportunity to dispel a popular belief that kittens need cow’s milk. They do NOT and in fact cows milk can cause diarrhea, which is serious in kittens; they can become severely dehydrated. Kittens and cats should not be given cows milk, period. There are kitten formulas available, plus there are many recipes on the internet for kitten formula replacements. Most of these use goat’s milk and they are nutritionally sound.
That was another mistake that was being made with the kittens I rescued last week; they were being fed human baby cereal and canned adult cat food. At 4 weeks of age, that was not going to provide the essential nutrients that kittens need for growth.
Help Found Kittens Proper Eliminate
While we are talking about what goes in, what comes out is equally important. Kittens under 4 weeks of age need help “going.” Mom cats lick their kittens’ back ends to stimulate elimination. Mimic this action by gently wiping the kitten’s back ends with a warm wet cloth or cotton ball while gently rubbing their tummies. This action will stimulate their bowels.
As the kittens grow, their nutritional needs will change. Refer to this article on Feeding Kittens 101 for guidance at various stages of kittenhood. Also, learn about bottle feeding from Kitten Lady Hannah Shaw.
Vet Care is a Must for Foundling Kittens!
It is essential that these kittens get seen by a vet for an assessment immediately. A veterinarian can tell how old they are, and provide guidance on proper feeding and later weaning, and help remove fleas and eat mites. Ridding small kittens of fleas immediately is essential for their survival. Only a vet can do it safely on tiny kittens who are too young for traditional flea medications.
As the kittens grow, take them to a vet for a checkup. The vet will advise on testing the kittens for FIV and FELV, and also advise which vaccines are necessary and when they need to be done. These steps are necessary to prepare the kittens for their future adoption, and more importantly to safeguard them from disease.
Socialization and Adoption of Tiny Young Kittens
As the kittens grow and begin to explore their world, socialization is essential to raising friendly kittens. Socialized kittens are the ones that everyone will want to adopt.
The first key to optimal socialization is to let the kittens stay together until they are at least 12 weeks of age. All that roughhousing kittens do with one another is actually how they learn to be social with other cats. Kittens separated from siblings too young often become aggressive or have biting problems. They also don’t learn proper social behavior through play with their siblings. They often have trouble bonding with other cats as adults as well. Watch two kittens playing; one will often scold the other if he bites too hard or is too aggressive, teaching him how to behave.
Another key to raising happy good natured cats is to handle the kittens daily as they are growing up. The tender ages of 2 to 8 weeks is the optimal time for human handling. This handling, or lack of, will have an impact on how social they will be with their humans later on in life. Cats that are not handled young are often aloof and usually don’t become the “lap cats” that everyone wants. They might even become a “scardy cat” and hide away from most, if not all, humans. Of course there are exceptions, but the best thing to do is play with and pick up the kittens daily. They will become used to this, and will actually seek out human contact as adults.
Being a Surrogate Cat Mom
Raising young kittens is quite an undertaking, one that should not be taken lightly by any means. If you feel you are not up to the task or need some help, call local rescues and shelters for assistance. Many know people who specialize in bottle feeding and rearing kittens from birth until they are ready for adoption. At the very least, they can offer you guidance and a helping hand as you navigate the complicated waters. Welcome to being a surrogate kitten mom!
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