If You Find a Baby Kitten
 
If You Find a Baby Kitten Humane Trap Rentals

 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - READ CAREFULLY!

 


Finding feral, "stray", kittens/cats                                                                                                                                      can be exciting, but there are many things that you will need to know about trapping and caring for new found babies. When you first see baby kittens in your backyard, alley or other places - step back and make sure Mom is not still around and just hiding from you.


If you see the Mom cat nearby, DO NOT DISTURB THE KITTENS and let Mom take care of them herself. It is especially crucial for newborn kittens to receive the nutrition from Mom's milk during the first couple of days of their lives. The mommy cat may also be hunting for food or in the process of moving her kittens to a new nest!  The bigger the kittens, the longer the mom cat can be gone.


Many kittens will not survive if separated from Mom during the first week of their life. If you see the mother cat put some food and water out for her so she can devote herself to her babies.


You can find numbers for ALL rescue groups and shelters in a free newspaper called PET PRESS found at pet stores and vet offices.  Shelters will put kittens down within 24 hours if not rescued by a volunteer.


If the mommy cat does not come back in 4 or more hours - she may be in trouble or dead.  Please look around for her if you can!  If she it not found you can take the kittens and get them help.


I may be able to take the kittens from you, but ONLY if I have space.  I get 100's of newborns every year and I do charge a rescue fee.  PLEASE TRY TO CALL ME FIRST BEFORE RESCUING KITTENS!


Feral cats:  

To spay/neuter these cats for FREE for appointment information on how to safely trap a feral cat family.


Contact:  FIXNATION

www.fixnation.org

(818) 524-2287


HUMANE TRAP RENTALS:

 

I do rent out traps on a weekly basis for those trying to assist an abandoned, lost or feral cats that need

to be fixed.  You cannot trap wild animals or cats/pets for removal.  It is against the law.


  • DEPOSIT: $50 PER TRAP
  • RENTAL:   $25 per trap/week

Deposit and Rental Fees are to be paid before traps are released and contracts will be issued.


 

MY RESCUE FEES: 

 

I ask for a small donation for each cat or kitten to help pay for all the medical care/supplies. 

If you can donate more it is greatly appreciated.  If there is a serious medical condition or if the

cat/kitten has been injured. Please see how you can help me raise funds for medical treatments!

 

  • Newborn/bottle baby kittens:  minimum $20 per kitten in a litter - $50 for a single kitten
  • Mother cat with newborn kittens: minimum $150-$200
  • Young kittens under 6 months: $50 to $100 per kitten depending on age and medical condition
  • Teenage Kittens: $100 - $150 per kitten depending on age and medical condition
  • Adult Cats: $200 and up depending on age and medical condition

 

Please don't be shocked by this. I ask for these donations to rescue kittens/cats because itis EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE for me to care for them and board them until they get adopted which takes months or years!

I also have LIMITED space in my home to do this so I may not be able to accept the kitty when you call.


This is how much it costs me for just the "basic" medical treatment!  This does NOT included medications, visits to the vet or bills for illness or injuries!

 

  • FeLV/FIV testing = $30 each
  • (3) FVRCP shots = $20 each
  • Spay/Neutering =  $60 and up
  • (3) De-worming =  $20 each
  • Flea treatment =  $20 each

 

HOW TO TELL APPROXIMATE KITTEN AGE:


  • Umbilical cord still attached - newborn kitten only 1-3 days old
  • Eyes closed, ears folded over - kitten is 1 - 10 days old (about 3 - 4 inches)
  • Eyes are open, kitten moves around but is wobbly - 10 days - 2 weeks old (about the size of a hand)
  • Eyes are open, ears up, can walk around - 3 - 5 weeks old
  • Running around and is difficult to catch - 5 - 7 weeks
  • At least (1 foot) long, very fast and impossible to catch by hand - 8 weeks or older

 

THIS IS MY BABY SURI FROM NEWBORN TO 4 WEEKS OLD


 

IF THE MOM DOES NOT COME BACK FOR HER BABIES AND YOU RESCUE THE KITTENS...

 

HERE ARE SOME BASIC RULES TO FOLLOW :


1)  Immediately place kitten(s) in a towel, shirt or blanket in a box to keep them warm.  Remove any dirt or bugs that are on them.  If they are VERY COLD, put them under your shirt next to your skin!


2)  DO NOT REMOVE THE UMBILICAL CORD IF STILL ATTACHED. Take to the emergency vet or a regular vet to have them cut it for you so they don't get an infection if you feel it looks bad, otherwise it will fall off by itself in a few days.  RED OR SWOLLEN CORDS may actually be a hernia!  GO TO THE VET!


3) You need to see if the kitten(s) have to go to the bathroom if they are younger than 3 weeks old. Baby kittens cannot go potty by themselves!  Take a cloth, towel or tissue and gently rub their genitals until they urinate or poop. Count to 60 to make sure they have gone completely. They will get very sick if they do not go potty soon.


4) The kittens must be kept warm in order to eat especially if they are very young.  DO NOT FEED A COLD KITTEN - IT WILL DIE! Their internal organs have shut down. They must be physically warmed up first to 97 degrees minimum.


5) Go to the Pet Store to get kitten formula such as KMR or Just Born and a baby feeding bottle. 

DO NOT FEED IT COWS MILK!


6) When you get home immediately make a kitten box full of soft towels and place a heating pad set on low for warmth under the box.  Make it so the the pad is only heating up 1/2 of the box. Leave the other half unheated for the kittens to move to if they get to warm.


7) Feed kitten according to the formula chart on the can and use my info below.  DO NOT OVER FEED!  You will need to make the kitten go potty and burp them afterwards by lightly tapping on their back.

 

 

Supplies you will need for newborns and young kittens:


  • Heating pad.
  • Kitten Milk formula such as Just Born or KMR (found at local pet stores and WalMart).The liquid formula is best to use if you are not sure what to do.
  • Feeding bottle and several nipples (found at pet stores with kitten formula).
  • Eye dropper or syringe (without needle) in case the kitten will not eat from the bottle.
  • Several bath towels for bedding and cleaning kittens.
  • kitchen food scale for weighing kittens (optional).
  • Digital rectal thermometer (kittens that are 2 weeks old have a normal temperature is between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit - newborns are about 97 degrees.)
  • Have Emergency Vet Clinic number handy.
  • Michele Guzy's phone number is (818) 631-1187 for advice and help raising a bottle baby.

 

 

HERE ARE MORE DETAILS AND FACTS:


To make a kitten box...


Put a heating pad in a box big enough to accommodate the pad and also provides an area in the box that will not covered by the heating pad.  Kittens will crawl toward the heat when they are cold and away from the heat when they are warm.  If they do not have an area where they can get away from the heat, they can become dehydrated and die.


Turn the heating pad on LOW and cover it with a towel and place some soft blankets/towels around the kittens. Place the box in a warm and draft-free area.


Never let the kitten lie directly on the pad!  It must be covered.


Do not bathe the kitten unless absolutely necessary. Do not bathe a cold kitten. If the kitten appears to need a bath, her body temperature must be normal, 97+ degrees Fahrenheit. Flea combing is best if the kitten has fleas. If the kitten must be bathed, use  a very small amount of Lemon Joy or Dawn dishwashing liquid. The citrus kills fleas and is safe for kittens. Flea shampoos and medicines for adult cats are too harsh for baby kittens and can poison them.


After towel drying the kitten as much as possible return the kitten to the heating pad.  If you use a hair dryer, place it on the LOWEST setting as far away as you can and quickly blow back and forth only a few times to dry the fur so you do not burn the kitten! DO NOT BLOW IN THE FACE!


 

Determine the age of the kitten to see if it needs to be bottle-fed or if it can start immediately on canned baby food for kittens:

 

  • 1 - 4 weeks old - will need to be bottle-fed kitten formula. Weighs only 4 -16 ounces.
  • 5 weeks and older - can be offered canned food for KITTENS ONLY such as Nutro Max, Innova, Wellness or AVO DERM but they may still need to be bottle-fed.

 

Feeding Instructions:

 

You will need to buy some pre-made kitten formula such as Just Born or KMR at the pet store with a baby bottle.  The liquid formulas are faster and easier to use then the cans.  Canned formula can be made at each feeding to stay fresher.  Follow instructions on the labels!


Do NOT poke a hole in the bottle with a needle - you will have to use some tiny scissors to poke through the top to make the opening big enough.  The hole in the bottle should only be big enough that if you hold the bottle upside down the milk drips out slowly.

 

KMR (Kitten Milk Replacer) or Just Born are the best formulas to feed a young kitten.

 

Do not give a kitten cow's milk, soy or rice milk! If you cannot obtain KMR or Just Born immediately, use the following emergency recipe for up to 24 hours only. In an emergency, call a veterinarian or check an animal shelter for kitten formulas.


Visit www.1888PETS911.org for animal shelters in your area.


 

EMERGENCY KITTEN FORMULA ( c/o "Kitten Rescue")

 

The pet store is closed, and you have hungry kittens that need formula! Never fear! As with the below formulas, please remember that any emergency formula should only be used until regular Feline Replacement Formula (such as KMR or Just Born) can be purchased at the pet store. None of these are nutritionally complete for the long term health of a kitten.

 

Remember: Cow’s milk is NOT nutritionally sufficient for kittens; they will slowly starve to death!


Formula #1

8 ounces homogenized whole milk

2 egg yolks

1 teaspoon salad oil

1 drop liquid pediatric vitamins (optional)


Mix well and warm before using. Keep refrigerated.


Formula #2

1 part boiled water to 5 parts evaporated milk

1/2 teaspoon bone meal per 16 oz fluid


Mix well, refrigerate, warm before using .


Formula #3

1 can Evaporated Milk

1 egg yolk

2 tablespoons Karo syrup


All three mixed well and keep in tightly sealed jar in refrigerator.  At feeding time mix 1/2 of the estimated feeding amount with: Equal amount of boiling water. (once a day mix 1 drop of human infant liquid vitamins in each kitties formula)


If constipation occurs: add 1 drop of vegetable oil to each kitties formula no more than once daily till problem is eased. Test temperature before feeding (the combination of boiling water and chilled formula should be just about right).




HIGH-CALORIE MILKSHAKE FOR SICK OR NON-EATING CATS AND KITTENS

 

This is ideal if you have to force-feed a cat with a syringe.

Blend together the following ingredients:


  • 1 cup powdered kitten formula and 1 cup water
  • or 8 oz can of liquid kitten formula
  • 7 heaping teaspoons of KMR or Just Born "weaning" formula
  • 2 cans of wet kitten food (Nutro Max Kitten or Science Diet A/D is best)

Mix until you have a milkshake consistency. To thicken, add more weaning powder; to thin, add more milk replacer or a little water. Lightly heat in a microwave for 5 - 10 seconds only and use a bottle or syringe to force-feed; if cat is eating on its own, pour over regular canned food. Keep in the refrigerator.


 

FEEDING THE KITTEN:


Warm the formula in a nursing bottle or medicine dropper by placing the bottle or dropper into a cup or bowl of hot water. Test the formula on the underside of your wrist to check the temperature. If it feels too warm or too cold on your wrist, it will feel the same for the kitten. If the formula is too hot, wait until the formula cools down. If the formula is too cold, continue soaking the bottle or dropper in hot water. Always be sure to test the formula again before giving it to the kitten.


Place the kitten on her stomach at a 45-degree angle (just as a kitten would nurse from the mother) and let her nurse until she turns her head.


Do not hold the kitten's head back, and do not hold her on her back as you would a human baby, because the kitten could aspirate formula into her lungs. Avoid getting air into the kitten's tummy by holding the bottle at an angle to keep liquid toward the nipple. Pulling back slightly on the bottle will help trigger the kitten's sucking reflex. Never squeeze the bottle to force milk to come out.

 

You can hold the kitten with your other hand to keep her steady.


Do not panic if the kitten does not eat the first day. She may be more accustomed to her mothers milk, which is quite rich, and can sustain her for a longer time than replacement formulas. (If she is still not eating after 6 hours, seek veterinary assistance immediately. She may need to be force fed through a tube. Never attempt tube feeding yourself if you are unfamiliar with this procedure. If done improperly, esophageal or stomach damage and even death can result.)

 

VERY IMPORTANT: After the kitten's stomach is full, it is necessary to stimulate her to help her eliminate. A kitten does not have the ability to do this until they are 4 weeks old. Stimulate by taking a warm washcloth, kleenex or paper towel and gently massage the anal region in a small circular or back-and-forth motion. You may want to hold kitten over a towel or sink while stimulating her.  COUNT TO 60 to make sure the kittens goes.  They will always pee before and after feedings and should poop 1 - 2 times a day.


ALSO, you need to BURP the kitten after feeding. This may take as long as 5- 10 minutes of gentle tapping on their back.  If you do not burp the kitten they will end up with too much air in their stomach and they will get sick!



FEEDING SCHEDULE:


This is a general guideline. A kitten will eat more often or less often, depending on the kitten. The label on the container of kitten formula you purchased should indicate the recommended amount to feed a kitten according to body weight. If a kitten cries, she is either cold or hungry. A contented kitten sleeps quietly.


Age in Weeks/Feedings per day:  YOU CANNOT MISS A FEEDING IN NEWBORN KITTENS!


  • newborns up to 1 week old - feed every 2 hours day and night (YES, you need to wake up at night!)
  • 1 - 2 weeks old - feed every 3 to 4 hours day and night
  • 3 weeks old - feed every 4 to 5 hours day and night
  • 4 weeks old - feed every 5 to 6 hours day and night

Never overfeed a kitten. If you do not feed a baby kitten on schedule it can go into hypoglycemic  shock and die.  You MUST feed the kitten on time and all through out the night.


Some kittens will eat and eat as long as food is offered to them. Follow the instructions and guidelines on the container of kitten formula.


When the kitten is about four weeks old, you can begin weaning the kitten with baby food (GERBER Chicken, Turkey or Lamb) or a high quality canned - kitten food mixed with KMR or Just Born Formula.  Please make sure there is NO ONION in the Gerber baby food.  It can kill a kitten.


Begin by adding just 1/2 teaspoon into the formula and warm it up.  You will need another baby bottle for this and it is important to make a BIGGER hole in the bottle for the thicker formula to come out.  Remember, it must be able to flow slowly out of the bottle if held upside down.  Sometimes the formula gets stuck in the nipple so make sure to stir the formula well before putting in the bottle and shake the bottle often.


After about 5 weeks the kitten(s) should be weaned and they can be fed a high quality canned food in a very flat or shallow dish.


Make sure they have clean water to drink at all times.  They should also be able to use the litter box by this time.  Use clay litter only or preferable - Corn Litter.  Do not use clumpable or scoopable litter for baby kittens. It will get in their paws and they will get sick if they lick it off.


Once the kittens are 8 - 9 weeks they can be ready for adoption after you have done ALL of their medical work and they are spayed/neutered.


Good Luck in raising a kitten. Let me know if you need any help.


Michele