How To Take Care Of A Newborn Cat
A newborn cat needs the following care: pay attention to its diet, its hygiene and make sure it does not get cold; you have to keep it in a controlled environment, with closed windows and doors.
In this article we will tell you how to take care of a newborn cat in order to offer him everything he needs.
Maybe you found him on the street without his mom, or he was adopted and recently stopped breastfeeding. Follow these tips for caring for a newborn cat:
Tips for taking care of an orphaned newborn cat
Caring for a cat less than three weeks old is a challenge, as the animal needs a lot of attention. With dedication, love and sweetness he will be able to survive even without his mother next to him.
1. Monitor your body temperature
When kittens are born they spend all their time close to their mother’s womb. In addition to feeding, this proximity allows him to stay warm.
For this, you must ensure that your puppy’s body temperature does not drop, especially during the night, as he is unable to regulate it himself.
You can wrap the kitten in a blanket or pillow. If you have other pets, you can make them give them warmth and affection. Conversely, if the baby continues to cry and tremble and has cold fingertips, hold him in your arms.
2. Don’t give him “common” milk
A very common mistake when finding a newborn cat is to heat the milk in the refrigerator and give it to him. This is not good for him, due to the fact that he does not have the necessary nutrients and can also cause stomach problems, such as diarrhea and vomiting.
In pet stores they sell powdered milk that replaces the mother’s. If you can’t find it, give it warm water with a small syringe.
You will have to give him the milk with a bottle at a temperature of 37 ° C. Remember he has to eat every 3 hours!
3. Teach him to relieve himself
One of the main tasks to take care of an orphaned newborn cat is to teach him to do the needs.
The mother stimulates him by licking his belly and neighboring parts. In your case, just wet some cotton wool with warm water and pass it over the genitals and anus.
Tips for taking care of a weaned newborn cat
From 4 weeks of age, kittens stop taking their mother’s milk. They have already opened their eyes and know how to do their own needs, but they still have a lot to learn.
If you have adopted a weaned kitten, follow these tips:
1. Give him suitable food
Pet stores sell kibble for newborn cats, which are softer than adult cats and contain another type of nutrient and ingredients.
They are also sized to fit their small mouth.
Arm yourself with patience and give it to him little by little. At first they will not know that they will have to eat and chew them. If necessary, give them one at a time. After a while they will make it on their own.
2. Take him to the vet
It doesn’t matter if you took him from a shelter, if he is the son of an acquaintance’s cat or if you found him on the street. All cats need to visit the vet when they are young.
The doctor will check him, give him all the vaccines and give you some advice. In this way, the animal will not get sick and will live for many years.
Furthermore, you can take advantage of it to find out what breed it is: Siamese, Persian, etc.
3. Avoid dangers in the home
If you have never had animals, especially a cat, your home may not be suitable for them. Don’t worry, because you can make changes to improve the situation.
To begin with, no open windows or free access to terraces or balconies. Until the cat gets used to moving on its own, keep it under control.
Another precaution is to hide electrical cables, small objects (such as ballpoint pens), medicines or cleaning tools.
Cats are very skilled and can open doors and drawers, so don’t trust them.
Close the trash can and the toilet. Do not leave the front door of the house and the bathroom open – and the room you do not want him to enter – and pay attention to the plants: some can be toxic to kittens.
