During the spring and summer kitten seasons, it’s not rare to find across a nest of unattended kittens or alone kitten that appears to have been abandoned by the mother. People may have seen the kittens while their mother is out looking for food or relocating them to a new area. Determine whether the mother will return for them or if they are orphaned. To do so, stand at least 35 feet away from the kittens. If visitors get too close to the kittens, the mother will not approach them. People may need to leave for an extended period before the mother cat returns to care for the kittens.
To aid their decision, keep in mind that the mother cat may take many hours to return, and healthy kittens can survive this time without food as long as they are kept warm. Waiting longer to see if Mom returns during the spring and summer months is far safer than waiting during the chilly winter months.
If the mother cat appears- The mother cat provides the best chance for survival for their kittens, therefore people should wait and observe as long as they can. The kittens’ favourite food is their mother’s milk. Only remove the kittens if they are in imminent danger. If the mother cat reappears and the area is somewhat secure, leave the kittens with mom until they have been weaned. People can provide Mom with a place to stay and regular food, but the food and shelter should be kept separate. Mom will find the food but will refuse to accept their shelter if the food is close by, as cats do not want to attract other cats to food that is close to their nest.
If the mother cat does not appear– If people notice that the mother cat does not appear for whatever reason, the kittens should be removed. This is important for the kittens’ survival. If people decide to intervene, they must be prepared to see the project through to completion. If they take the kittens in, it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to locate an organisation willing to take on bottle-feeding on short notice. Some organisations have experienced bottle-feeders on staff, but logistical planning is required ahead of time. Because they lack the staff to feed and stimulate newborn kittens, animal shelters and veterinarians often do not accept them.
- Before anyone removes the kittens off the street, they need to prepare for bottle-feeding and proper care.
- If people feel compelled to take the kittens in, wrap the carrier or container in a towel to keep them warm. However, make sure that air openings are left open to prevent the kittens from suffocating.
- Examine the kittens to see if they are warm. This is far more crucial than feeding. Never feed a cold kitten; if they are frigid, they must be gradually warmed up. People can detect if a kitten is cold by the temperature of the pads of their feet or the temperature of their ears.
For further information, people can visit https://www.internetvibes.net/2021/06/14/how-to-survive-the-first-few-weeks-with-your-new-kitten/