RESOURCES
Found Kittens
Do you know what to do if you find a stray kitten? How do you determine if the kitten is in fact a stray? So, you found a stray kitten … but the next step isn’t simply taking him home with you. What do you feed a stray kitten? Where should you take stray kittens if you can’t care for them yourself?
Investigate — does the stray kitten have a mother?
Helping orphaned kittens will first require some detective work. One of the biggest mistakes that people make when finding stray kittens is taking them away from their mother. Neonatal kittens are still nursing and need to be fed frequently so they should be kept with their mother if possible.
Assess the situation...
Are the kittens sleeping comfortably? The mother is probably coming back to feed and care for them. When you check on the kittens again later, are any of them missing? If so, the mother is moving them. If they’re found sleeping, then the mother is caring for them. To be absolutely sure, sprinkle some flour or sand on the ground around where the kittens are located and look for paw prints upon your return.
If the stray kitten has a mother:
If the mother is present, let them alone. Ask your neighbors if anyone is helping feed community cats and might know about this mommy kitty. In approximately six weeks, go back and TNR (trap/neuter/return) the whole family. Contact HSforBC at 877-473-6722 for guidance. Leave a detailed message with your name and contact information so a volunteer can get back in touch with you.
If the stray kitten does not have a mother:
Once you determine the stray kitten (or kittens!) does not have a mother, the kitten’s greatest chance for survival begins with you. Humanely trap or capture the stray kittens. Put the kitten on a towel in a crate or cat carrier or tall sided box. If possible, keep the kitten warm in a 75 degree room. A cold or limp kitten indicates a medical emergency, and the kitten should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Very young kittens must be bottle fed and they frequent meals every few hours! Please note that kittens should not be given human milk. They need kitten formula which can be purchased from pet supply stores.
If you cannot foster the stray kitten for any amount of time, call HSforBC at 877-473-6722. Leave a detailed message with your name and contact information so a volunteer can get back in touch with you.
If you are going to try to care for the kitten:
Kittens are on a feeding schedule determined by weight and age. Determining the age of the stray kitten right away is imperative. His age will mandate what he will eat as well as how much and how often.
Using a postal or kitchen scale, here’s a quick guide
Pet supply stores and many grocery stores will have all you will need:
How to be a pro with the orphaned kitten:
Kittens are fed with their belly touching the table, never lying on their backs. Experts recommend letting the kitten eat the warmed up formula until he is full. It usually takes less than 15 minutes.
Kittens will need help eliminating urine and feces until they are approximately a month old. After each feeding, use a warm, damp washcloth to gently rub his anus until he goes. You can introduce a litter box filled with non-clumping litter at 3 weeks old. Vaccinations and deworming should start no later than six weeks of age.
At 8 weeks old, the kitten is ready to be spayed or neutered and placed into a loving home.
Investigate — does the stray kitten have a mother?
Helping orphaned kittens will first require some detective work. One of the biggest mistakes that people make when finding stray kittens is taking them away from their mother. Neonatal kittens are still nursing and need to be fed frequently so they should be kept with their mother if possible.
Assess the situation...
Are the kittens sleeping comfortably? The mother is probably coming back to feed and care for them. When you check on the kittens again later, are any of them missing? If so, the mother is moving them. If they’re found sleeping, then the mother is caring for them. To be absolutely sure, sprinkle some flour or sand on the ground around where the kittens are located and look for paw prints upon your return.
If the stray kitten has a mother:
If the mother is present, let them alone. Ask your neighbors if anyone is helping feed community cats and might know about this mommy kitty. In approximately six weeks, go back and TNR (trap/neuter/return) the whole family. Contact HSforBC at 877-473-6722 for guidance. Leave a detailed message with your name and contact information so a volunteer can get back in touch with you.
If the stray kitten does not have a mother:
Once you determine the stray kitten (or kittens!) does not have a mother, the kitten’s greatest chance for survival begins with you. Humanely trap or capture the stray kittens. Put the kitten on a towel in a crate or cat carrier or tall sided box. If possible, keep the kitten warm in a 75 degree room. A cold or limp kitten indicates a medical emergency, and the kitten should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Very young kittens must be bottle fed and they frequent meals every few hours! Please note that kittens should not be given human milk. They need kitten formula which can be purchased from pet supply stores.
If you cannot foster the stray kitten for any amount of time, call HSforBC at 877-473-6722. Leave a detailed message with your name and contact information so a volunteer can get back in touch with you.
If you are going to try to care for the kitten:
Kittens are on a feeding schedule determined by weight and age. Determining the age of the stray kitten right away is imperative. His age will mandate what he will eat as well as how much and how often.
Using a postal or kitchen scale, here’s a quick guide
- Under 1 week old: Kitten weighs less than 4 ounces. Feed formula every two to three hours.
- 7 to 10 days old: Kitten weighs 4 to 6 ounces. Feed formula every two to three hours.
- 10 to 14 days old: Kitten weighs 6 to 8 ounces. Feed formula every three hours.
- 14 to 21 days old: Kitten weighs 8 to 12 ounces. Feed formula every four hours.
- 4 to 5 weeks old: Kitten weighs 12 ounces to 1 pound. Feed mix of gruel/formula/kitten kibble every four hours.
- 6 to 7 weeks old: Kitten weighs 1 pound to 1 pound and 8 ounces. Feed mix of kitten kibble and wet food four times a day.
- 8 weeks old: Kitten weighs one and a half to 2 pounds, and is fully weaned.
Pet supply stores and many grocery stores will have all you will need:
- Kitten formula
- Bottles
- Rubber nipples
- Cleaning supplies
How to be a pro with the orphaned kitten:
Kittens are fed with their belly touching the table, never lying on their backs. Experts recommend letting the kitten eat the warmed up formula until he is full. It usually takes less than 15 minutes.
Kittens will need help eliminating urine and feces until they are approximately a month old. After each feeding, use a warm, damp washcloth to gently rub his anus until he goes. You can introduce a litter box filled with non-clumping litter at 3 weeks old. Vaccinations and deworming should start no later than six weeks of age.
At 8 weeks old, the kitten is ready to be spayed or neutered and placed into a loving home.