By the seventh week, your kitten should be completely weaned and eating food from his bowl. Feed him a good quality wet kitten food and introduce him to dry kitten food as well. He will be very playful. Empty toilet rolls, straws, bottle tops and small boxes make great toys. Always supervise his play if...
At this stage, move the kitten into a larger box so you can introduce a small litter box. Never use clumping litter as many kittens will try to eat the litter as part of the exploration process. Use a plain clay litter or a litter made from paper or wheat products. Use a small-sized litter...
The ear canals should have completely opened by now and he will be able to hear all the household sounds. If he is a pure white kitten and you notice he does not respond to sounds, he could be deaf. This is not a handicap or a hardship, it just happens. Deaf kitties are a...
For the first week of life, a kitten’s main activities are eating and sleeping. He is deaf and blind but can crawl a little. The remnants of his umbilical cord will fall off at around 3 days of life. After it falls off, watch the area carefully, as it can easily become infected. Use a...
It is our hope in presenting this to you, that you will find raising a newborn or orphaned kitten is both a joy and a triumph. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a kitten that once fit in the palm of your hand, now lying in the sun spot on your carpet, a smooth,...
Sometimes, despite your best efforts and care, a kitten will die. Whether it be FKS (Fading Kitten Syndrome) or an unseen problem with the kitten’s internal organs or disease, it is always difficult to lose a kitten that you may have bonded closely with. It can be a very distressing time for you but you...
Sometimes a kitten has a birth defect such as brain damage, missing limbs, cerebral palsy, anophthalmia (missing eyes), cleft palate or other congenital malformation. In cases like these, it is best to consult with a vet who will do a full assessment and may recommend the kitten be euthanized to avoid ongoing suffering. Remember –...
Discovering an orphaned or abandoned kitten, and deciding to hand-raise the little one can be a rewarding, yet daunting undertaking. Finding out that the kitten may be premature can leave you feeling even more anxious and wondering whether you’ll be able to care for this fragile being. How can I tell if a kitten is...
Vomiting and Diarrhea When a kitten has diarrhea or vomiting, your first priority is to take him to the vet. The loss of body fluids at a rapid rate will dehydrate your kitten quickly and he could die. Both of these symptoms can be part of a larger health concern and a vet should be...
