How to Care for Newborn Kittens 🧡 🐾

Caring for newborn kittens — a practical guide

Newborn kittens need a calm, warm and clean environment, regular feeding and attentive monitoring. This guide outlines steps to support kittens in their first days and weeks until they are strong, active and able to regulate their own temperature.

First hours — initial assessment

• Check whether the mother is present and nursing. If the mother is absent or refuses to feed, prepare for artificial feeding.
• Feel the kittens: they should be warm. Cold kittens must be warmed gently and monitored.
• Separate weak or underdeveloped kittens to give them special attention, while keeping them close to the mother's scent.

Warmth and nesting

• Prepare a secure nest: a box with high sides, soft towels or blankets, and a quiet location away from drafts.
• Use a safe heat source like a wrapped hot water bottle or a heating pad set on low, ensuring kittens can move away if too warm.
• Check the nest frequently to maintain comfort without overheating.

Feeding basics

• If the mother is nursing, ensure all kittens have access to the nipples and are feeding regularly.
• For orphaned kittens use a kitten milk replacer and appropriate bottle or syringe. Avoid cow's milk.
• Feed on demand: newborns often feed frequently. Follow product guidelines for amounts and pacing.
• After feeding, gently stimulate the genital area with a warm damp cloth to encourage elimination until kittens do this on their own.

Hygiene and umbilical care

• Keep the nesting area clean by changing bedding regularly and washing fabric materials.
• If the umbilical area looks inflamed or remains moist, gently clean with warm boiled water and monitor closely.
• Avoid using medications without veterinary advice.

Health concerns and when to seek help

• Seek veterinary care if a kitten is cold, lethargic, not feeding, struggling to breathe, has persistent diarrhea, or shows wounds.
• Regularly weigh kittens to track growth — steady weight gain is a good sign of health.

Tips for volunteers and fosters

• Keep a simple log of feedings, weights and observations for each kitten.
• Communicate with experienced volunteers or a veterinarian when unsure.
• Limit visitors and handle kittens with clean hands to reduce stress and infection risk.

Warm, consistent care and prompt attention to problems give newborn kittens the best chance to thrive.

If you face complex situations, consult a veterinarian. Small, timely actions make a big difference in a kitten's life.