Caring for Newborn Kittens: A Complete Guide for Cat Breeders
Bringing a new litter of kittens into the world is an exciting yet challenging time for any cat breeder. As a breeder, it is your responsibility to provide the best possible care to ensure the health and wellbeing of both the mother cat and her kittens during this critical developmental period. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about caring for newborn kittens, from preparation to weaning.
Preparing for the Kittens' Arrival
Proper preparation is key to getting newborn kittens off to a good start. Here are some important steps to take in advance of the big day:
- Set up a nesting area. The mother cat will need a quiet, comfortable, and secluded place to deliver and nurse her kittens. A large cardboard box lined with blankets works well. The area should be in a low-traffic area of your home.
- Gather supplies. Have emergency supplies on hand like a heating pad, hot water bottle, and rectal thermometer. You'll also need formula and a bottle or syringe in case supplemental feeding is needed. Ask your vet for kitten nursing bottles and kitten formula recommendations.
- Learn warning signs. Educate yourself on potential problems to watch for during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Know when to contact your vet.
- Find a vet. Identify a vet experienced in caring for newborn kittens for regular checkups and emergencies. Make sure to get their emergency contact information.
- Prepare for feedings. Mom will take care of nursing, but you may need to supplement feedings if the litter is large. Have emergency formula and bottles on hand.
- Puppy pads. Stock up on puppy pads to line the nesting box. Mom will teach kittens to use these pads as litter boxes.
- Weighing scale. You'll need to closely monitor kittens' weight gains. Invest in a gram scale that can weigh tiny kittens accurately.
Following this preparation checklist will help you be ready to care for the kittens when they arrive. Don't forget to care for mom's needs too! Make sure she's eating nutrient-rich food and gets ample rest before delivery.
The Birthing Process
Here's what to expect as your cat goes into labor and gives birth:
- Nesting signs. The mother cat may seem restless, vocalize more, and start "nesting" 24-48 hours before going into active labor. She will look for a quiet, private place for the birth.
- Labor. This consists of three stages:
- Stage 1 labor lasts 6-24 hours as the cervix dilates and uterine contractions begin. The mother may pant, vocalize, or hide during this early stage.
- Stage 2 active labor with intense contractions lasts 2-12 hours. Kittens will start to emerge during this stage. Contractions last 1-2 minutes and are 2-5 minutes apart.
- Stage 3 labor involves delivering the afterbirth placentas. This stage lasts 1-6 hours. The mother should pass a placenta after each kitten is born.
- Delivery. Expect at least 30-60 minutes between each kitten's birth. Most cats give birth without complications, but problems can sometimes occur including:
- Difficulty expelling a kitten after 2 hours of intense contractions.
- Prolonged time between kittens being born.
- Excessive bleeding, vomiting, high fever in the mother cat.
- Contact your vet immediately if you observe any of these warning signs of trouble during the birthing process. Also call your vet after stage 1 labor exceeds 24 hours.
With preparation and vigilance during delivery, you can ensure a smooth birthing process for your cat. Don't hesitate to involve your vet at the first sign of difficulty.
Caring for Newborn Kittens (Days 1-14)
The first two weeks of your kittens' lives are critical for their health and development. Here are the most important aspects of newborn kitten care during this phase:
Feeding and Weighing
- Nurse frequently. Kittens need to nurse every 1-2 hours. Their stomachs are small so they can't take in much milk at once.
- Get an early weight. Weigh each kitten within 24 hours of birth to establish a baseline weight. Use a gram scale.
- Track weight daily. Kittens should gain about 7-10 grams per day. Lack of weight gain means they need supplemental feeding.
- Supplement with formula. Use kitten formula and a bottle/syringe if the litter is large or kittens are not gaining weight. Only supplement if needed.
- Stimulate to urinate. Gently rub genitals with a warm cloth before/after feeding to help kittens urinate. Urinating is crucial so their kidneys can function properly.
Keeping Kittens Warm and Safe
- Monitor temperature. Newborns cannot regulate their body temperature. Make sure nesting area stays at 85-90°F.
- Resuscitate if needed. If a newborn kitten seems lifeless, vigorously rub them with a towel for a few minutes to stimulate breathing.
- Limit handling. For the first week, only move newborns for feeding and weighing to prevent chilling.
- Keep area clean. Replace bedding promptly when soiled. Gently wipe mother's coat and kittens with a warm, damp cloth when needed.
Providing Attentive Care
- Check each kitten. Do a daily health check on every kitten - watch for signs of dehydration, low weight gain, diarrhea.
- Monitor nursing. Make sure each kitten latches on and nurses. Supplement ones who have trouble.
- Watch mom for problems. Monitor the mother cat closely in the first week for signs of fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite. Seek vet help if observed.
- Get vet check. Take the entire litter to your vet for an initial wellness check within 1-2 days after birth.
With round-the-clock supervision and weighing/feeding every 1-2 hours, you can help your new kittens stay strong and healthy through the first two fragile weeks. Don't skip supplementing calories if kittens are not gaining adequate weight daily.
Transition to the Outside World (Weeks 3-4)
During weeks 3-4, kittens will start to open their eyes, develop sight and hearing, and gain mobility. Here's how to help kittens navigate this transition:
- Eyes open. Kittens' eyes open around days 7-14. At first the blue eyes are hazy and vision is poor. Eyes gradually transition to permanent eye color.
- Ears open. Ear canals open around days 10-14. Hearing is still immature but kittens will startle to loud sounds.
- Raise temperature. Now that kittens can regulate body temperature, raise the ambient air temperature to around 75°F.
- Encourage mobility. Kittens will attempt crawling, standing, and walking. Place food/water bowls nearby to encourage mobility.
- Keep handling. Increase daily handling of kittens to get them accustomed to human touch. Play with them when they are awake.
- Litter box train. Show kittens the litter box location and provide shallow access. They learn to use the box by following mom's example.
- Start gruel. Around 3-4 weeks, introduce wet kitten food mixed into gruel form. Provide gruel 3-4 times a day as kittens start to wean.
- Vet visit. Take kittens for a vet visit at 3-4 weeks for deworming and vaccination against common contagious feline viruses.
As their senses and mobility emerge, kittens will become increasingly curious and active. Make sure they receive plenty of human socialization during this key developmental window.
Weaning Kittens (Weeks 5-8)
Weaning kittens entirely off their mother's milk starts around 4-5 weeks and is usually complete by 8 weeks old. Here are some tips for smoothly transitioning kittens to solid food:
- Gradually introduce wet food. Starting at 4 weeks, offer 4-6 small wet food meals scattered through the day plus continuous dry food access.
- Mix in dry food. Around 5 weeks, add some dry kitten kibble into the wet food gruel. Gradually decrease the water to make a thicker porridge-like texture.
- Free feed dry food. At 6 weeks, kittens can eat dry kibble soaked in water. Provide fresh dry food frequently throughout the day so kittens can self-feed.
- Supplement mom's feedings. If kittens still nurse, let them but also ensure they are getting adequate nutrition from solid foods.
- Weigh weekly. Continue weighing kittens weekly until 8 weeks. Healthy kittens gain around 4-7 grams daily.
- Limit nursing. Restrict nursing sessions to 15 minutes max per session after 6 weeks. Kittens should not nurse past 8 weeks.
- Litter train. Stay diligent about showing kittens the litter box location and reinforcing use. They may start having "accidents" as they gain independence.
- Socialize intensively. Make sure kittens receive extensive human handling, socialization, and positive environmental exposures during this prime 7-9 week socialization window.
With patience and persistence, you can get your kittens fully weaned and socially acclimated. Check with your vet to make sure their weight and development stay on track through the weaning process. Before you know it, they will be ready for adoption and their forever homes!
Common Newborn Kitten Problems and Solutions
Even with the most attentive care, newborn kittens can sometimes run into health issues. Here are some of the most common problems and how to handle them:
Problem: Kittens are not nursing and seem lethargic.
Solution: If kittens are too weak to nurse, use a syringe or nursing bottle to supplement feed them kitten formula every 1-2 hours. Keep them warm with blankets, hot water bottles, or a heating pad. Seek emergency vet care.
Problem: Meconium (a black tar-like stool) is not passed within 48 hours of birth. This indicates constipation.
Solution: Gently massage kitten's abdomen and anus with a warm damp cloth to encourage elimination. If no stool, consult your vet promptly.
Problem: Kittens are crying and crawling with a hunched posture. They may have diarrhea.
Solution: A parasite infection could be the cause. Take a stool sample to your vet for evaluation. Dehydration is dangerous for kittens so supplement feedings may be needed.
Problem: Kittens' weight gain plateaus or weight is lost.
Solution: If kittens are not gaining the expected 7-10 grams per day, the mother's milk supply may be inadequate. Supplement feeding with kitten formula 2-3 times a day.
Problem: The mother cat is showing signs of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite.
Solution: These are signs of potentially serious postpartum health complications in the mother. Seek emergency vet care for her. In the meantime, supplement feed kittens if mom cannot nurse.
Problem: Kittens' eyes do not open by 10-14 days old.
Solution: Try gently massaging closed eyelids with a warm damp cloth. If eyes remain closed past 14 days, veterinary care is needed right away to check for infection.
As a breeder, trust your instincts. Seek prompt veterinary help if you notice anything amiss in the mother cat or her kittens. With early treatment, most newborn kitten health issues can be resolved.
Preparing Kittens for Adoption
The exciting day will soon arrive when your kittens are ready for their adoptive homes at around 8-12 weeks old. To ensure they are healthy and well-socialized for their new families:
- Vet visit: Get a final health check and vaccinations around 8 weeks. Discuss spay/neuter options with adopting families.
- Deworm: Treat kittens for parasites per your vet's advice. Educate adopters on importance of continuing deworming treatment.
- Early spay/neuter: Discuss importance of spaying/neutering kittens by 5-6 months old to prevent unwanted litters. Offer assistance finding low-cost options.
- Socialize: Continue daily socialization with people, other pets, car rides, new situations, etc. Socialization is crucial through week 14.
- Send supplies: Provide new families with a starter kit: litter box, food samples, bed, toys, scratch post, grooming tools, carrier, etc. Include your contact info in case adopters need guidance.
- Screen carefully: Vet potential adopters thoroughly. Ensure kittens are going to safe and loving forever homes. Require adoption contracts.
- Follow up: Check in periodically with new families after adoption. Offer continued advice and take back kittens if needed.
Letting go of your adorable kittens will be bittersweet. You can rest assured that all the hard work you invested in nurturing healthy, happy kittens has prepared them for a lifetime of companionship and joy with their new families.
Conclusion
From preparation through weaning and adoption, dedicated breeders devote long hours to giving their kittens the best possible start in life. Your tireless care and attention in those critical early weeks will allow your kittens' unique personalities blossom as they grow into their forever homes. Remember to tap into your vet as a resource when challenges arise in your newborns' care. With some perseverance and teamwork, you'll be rewarded by the delightful experience of raising happy, healthy kittens and placing them in loving adoptive homes.