Fostering neonatal kittens ne·o·na·tal ˌ nēō ˈ nādl/ adjective 1. relating to newborn children (or mammals).
Introduction to being a Foster ! Before getting started you have to ask yourself if you are prepared : Do you have the time and space? ● Getting down and dirty... ● Emotional connections ●
The Basics : Orphaned... ➔ Where do these kittens usually come from? Supplies ➔ Everything is supplied for you! Care ➔ From feeding to bum wiping, everything you need to know! Vet Care ➔ Illnesses, medications, fluids, etc.
Are you my mommy? Orphaned kittens are most often brought to the shelter by good samaritans who found them without a mom. At the shelter we’ve had kittens as young as 1 day old, but most kittens are typically 10 days to 6 weeks old when brought to us. Kittens typically stay with their mother until they are eight Did you know? weeks old or older. They rely heavily on their mother for basic Kittens are born deaf Survival. In shelter, we keep kittens in foster until 12 weeks. and blind. They don’t start to have those senses until almost 2 weeks old!
What will I need? Diet “Diaper Changes” Care Kitten Milk Tissues, cotton pads, Crate, aquarium, soft ● ● ● Replacement (KMR) damp towelettes, etc. playpen, x-pen, etc. Nursing bottles, Gloves Lots of blankets and ● ● ● nipples, and syringes towels! Warm water ● “Babycat” wet and dry Heating pads ● ● Garbage can closeby! ● food (Royal Canin) Litterbox and dishes ● Towels, cloths, etc. (eventually) ● Digital scale ●
How do I set up? Keep them in a warm ● and quiet area. Set your playpen up ● with lots of cushioning, then place your heating pad on one side. Add toys, dishes, and ● litter boxes as needed.
Bottle Feeding Depending on the age of your new foster kittens, they may need to be fed and cleaned every 2 to 3 hours (yes, even at night time!)
Bathroom Break! Kittens need help going to the bathroom since they don’t have a mother to help stimulate them. Kittens should be stimulated to use the bathroom before every feeding. If you are ever having a hard time trying to feed a kitten, try stimulating them again as they may still need to go!
Common Illnesses Fading Kitten Syndrome Diarrhea/Dehydration URI/FIV/FeLV/Panleuk FKS is a set of symptoms Kittens are born with these, Diarrhea might not seem ➔ ➔ ➔ unfortunately not much you that cause a neonatal like an emergency, but it can do. kitten to fail to thrive. can indicate something more serious, and its side Can’t always be tested, it is ➔ Symptoms : Unusual ➔ effects can quickly lead to just a risk you need to take. breathing, pale gums, decline or even death in extreme lethargy, URI is the only one that can ➔ young kittens. decreased interest in food, be manageable. loss of weight, etc. SQ fluids or Pedialyte. ➔
It won’t be easy, but it will always be worth it!
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