10 THINGS THAT CAN HELP A STRAY KITTEN

The arrival of warm weather brings high humidity, beach days, and an abundance of kittens! However, during kitten season – which typically spans from early spring to late fall – communities, rescue organizations, and shelters nationwide are faced with a surge in the number of kittens needing care.

According to Aimee Hartmann, Senior Director of the ASPCA Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinics, as the temperature rises, shelters are flooded with numerous homeless kittens. This influx not only leads to overcrowded shelters but also contributes to the growing population of feral cats. Let’s find out with Petlandlove!

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10 THINGS THAT CAN HELP A STRAY KITTEN

If you come across a stray kitten, here are some steps you can take:…

Look for the Mother Cat

Step back and make sure the mother cat is nearby. She may be hiding or out hunting for food, so observe the kittens from a distance before taking any action. Kittens younger than 5 weeks old are always better off with their mother than with humans. The little ones need to be fed every 2-3 hours, so the mother will come back to check on them regularly.

The best way to assist the family is by providing food for the mother so she doesn’t have to leave the kittens. We advise well-meaning kitten rescuers not to stay too long or attempt to handle the kittens, as this could cause the mother cat to relocate them to a safer spot. If the family is in a hazardous location (near a busy road or construction site), reach out to your local no-kill shelter or a feral cat rescue group for guidance on trapping a feral cat family.

Catch the Kitten

If you don’t see the mother cat or other kittens around, try approaching the kitten to see if she is friendly. You will be able to tell if she allows you to pet her. To encourage her to come closer, offer some food as a treat. If you feel comfortable picking her up, make sure to have a carrier ready. If she is not willing to be picked up, the best way to catch her is by using a no-kill trap. Contact Cat Network for information on how to borrow and use humane traps properly.

Determine the Kitten’s Age

Seek advice from a vet to determine the age of the kitten. Understanding its age is crucial for various reasons, such as establishing the right type of food and feeding routine. Read on for further details.

Keep Kitty Warm

If you are taking care of an stray kitten, it is crucial to ensure she stays warm. You can use a warm bag of rice, a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel, or a heating pad set on low and closely watched. Make sure the heat source is placed in a way that allows the kitten to move away if it gets too hot. It’s important to seek advice from your vet regarding the right temperatures and to keep a close eye on the heating pad.

Make Kitty Feel at Home

After bringing the kitten indoors safely, create a temporary shelter for her using a small box lined with towels or blankets. Adding a stuffed animal can provide extra comfort. Put the box in a warm, draft-free spot and include a heating pad or hot water bottle for warmth. Caution: Do not allow a scared or wild kitten to roam freely in your home as she may become lost or stuck while trying to hide. Also, keep her separated from other pets to prevent the spread of any potential parasites or illnesses she may have.

Feed the Kitten

Feeding Instructions: If you have young stray kitten without their mother, seek advice from a vet, rescue group, or experienced caregiver to find a new mother cat with a small litter who can nurse the orphaned kittens. If you can’t find a foster mother, consult your vet on how to bottle-feed using milk replacer or goat’s milk. Avoid giving regular cow’s milk as it can cause digestive issues like diarrhea.

What to Feed: When orphaned kittens are 3-4 weeks old, start offering milk replacer in a shallow bowl and introduce a moist, easy-to-chew diet. You can mix warmed milk replacer with high-quality dry or canned kitten food to make gruel. Feed them several times a day in a shallow bowl. By 6-7 weeks old, they should be able to eat dry food without needing it moistened.

Feeding Schedule: Here is a general feeding schedule for newborn and young kittens:

Newborn kittens may need to nurse every 1-2 hours.
At 3-4 weeks old, offer milk replacer from a bowl and moistened kitten food 4-6 times a day.
Kittens aged 6-12 weeks should be fed 4 times a day while gradually reducing milk replacer.
Kittens aged 3-6 months should be fed 3 times a day.

Teach Kitty to Go the Bathroom

Typically, kittens do not start going to the bathroom on their own until they are around 2 to 3 weeks old. After feeding, a mother cat will clean her babies, focusing on the anal area to help with elimination. You can use a soft cloth or cotton/gauze dipped in warm water to gently massage the anal and urinary areas.

By the time the kittens reach 4 weeks old, you can begin teaching them to use a litter box by placing them in a shallow box after they eat. It’s important to use clay or pine litter for kittens younger than 7 weeks old! Clumping litter, if ingested by a young kitten, can be dangerous. Their bodies are not able to process or pass it like adult cats can.

Check for Fleas

It is important to promptly check for and eliminate fleas on a kitten to prevent anemia. You can buy a flea comb at a nearby pharmacy to help with this. Avoid using flea products like medications, shampoos, or powders without veterinary advice as they could be harmful. If needed, gently wipe away any dirt or feces with a damp cloth. If bathing is necessary, ensure the kitten is thoroughly dried and kept warm.

Visit the Vet

It is important to have any new or stray kitten that you bring home checked by a vet. Stray kitten may have parasites that can make them sick and spread to other pets and people. The vet will examine the cat for any health issues and may test for diseases. During the first vet visit, a kitten can start receiving vaccinations to prevent serious illnesses such as panleukopenia.

Spay and Neuter Your Cats

The most effective way to decrease the population of unwanted kittens in your area is by having stray cats spayed or neutered. Besides private veterinary clinics, there are affordable spay/neuter options offered in your community. Look up information on Google and contact your local County Animal Services for more details.

Thank you for playing a role in solving the issue of animal overpopulation! By spaying or neutering homeless cats now, we can make a positive impact on the future.