How to Care for Orphaned Kittens Less Than Three Weeks of Age - Creating a Nurturing Environment

Taking care of newborn kittens that have been orphaned can be very rewarding, but very challenging. Humans are poor substitutes for a mother cat, and care and feeding of very young kittens is a full-time job. Unfortunately, sometimes a mother cat is unwell and unable to nurse, or else she rejects the kittens, in which case they need to be hand-reared. Before you try to hand-rear orphaned kittens, call your local animal shelters and vets to try to locate a nursing mother cat substitute. Some will accept, feed and bathe orphaned kittens, and this is the best thing you can do to ensure they survive. If not, create a nurturing environment and learn how to properly feed and care for kittens less than three weeks old.

1. Learn how to handle the kittens. Always take care to wash your hands before and after handling the kittens. They may be carrying diseases or be susceptible to germs and bacteria that you've picked up. When you do pick up the kittens, pick them up carefully. Always check to make sure they feel warm, by seeing if the pads of their feet feel cold. Chances are, they'll start crying if they're cold.[1]
- If you have other pets, make sure to keep them separate from the orphaned kittens for at least 2 weeks. Don't let them share litter boxes, food, or water bowls, since these could spread disease.[2]

2. Keep them warm. Neonatal kittens (under 2 weeks old) cannot regulate their body temperature and usually keep warm by snuggling up to the mother. Since they can't do this, get a heating pad designed for puppies or kittens. Place the kittens on the heating pad, making sure to avoid direct contact with the pad if there's no fleece cover on it. If there's no cover, wrap a towel around it.[3]
- Kittens should never be directly exposed to the heating pad, since they may get localized burns or overheat.
- You can also use a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel, but check it frequently to make sure it's still warm (around 100 degrees).[4]

3. Make a soft bedding spot. Place a box or cat carrier in a quiet, isolated part of your house. The room you put it in should be warm and draft-free, away from any other pets. Set a towel inside the box to make a cozy spot for the kittens to rest. You should also cover the box or carrier with a towel to keep it warm.[5]
- Make sure not to cover air holes in the box or cat carrier to prevent suffocation.[6]

4. Keep the kittens together. You don't need separate boxes or carriers for each kitten. Place them all in the same soft bedding spot. This will also help keep them warm and comforted. Ensure that there is enough room for the kittens to move around.
- For instance, the kittens should be able to move to the edges of a heating pad if they're starting to overheat.[7]