The Orphan Kittens Guide
Orphan kittens can face short and difficult lives without immediate care and attention. They are defenseless without their mom cats. Kittens are abandoned for many reasons. They may be sickly or deformed and then rejected by their mother. Their mother might have been killed or severely injured.
In North America, abandoned kitten season is in high gear from March to October as most kittens are born at this time. Abandoned kittens for obvious reason tend to have short live spans.
Are You Sure it’s an Orphan?
That cute kitten (or kittens) you’ve found may or may not be an orphan. Sometimes mom cat will step away from her nest to find food or may be moving her offspring to a different location.
So, just because a litter of kittens looks abandoned doesn’t necessarily mean that there is no queen tending to her kittens. And mom cats do not like it when human hands have touched their nests and offspring. Keep in mind also litters raised without their mother have a lower chance of survival than those with moms present.
You can see that sign of an abandoned litter by looking at its condition. Orphan kittens tend to look dirty, malnourished, and may be full of fleas and other pests. Abandoned kittens tend to cry a lot as they may be hungry and cold.
Well-cared for kittens are quiet and cry very little. They appear clean, alert, warm, and well-fed.
To see if a litter of kittens are truly orphans, keep an eye out for mom cat to see if she returns to her kittens in a couple hours. Of course if the kittens are exposed to extreme temperatures or are in a dangerous environment, you will want to intervene sooner than later.
If mom cat does not appear, then you have to make the decision of whether or not to keep the kitten (or kittens) yourself or take it to a rescue organization or shelter.
To Keep or Not to Keep
Deciding whether or not to keep orphan kittens is difficult. Yes, they can grow up to be great house pets. Yet, in the mean time, abandoned kittens need lots of care and attention.
Remember, just like newborn human babies, baby orphan kittens may require around the clock feedings depending upon their age. Unlike human babies, baby kittens need (under 3 weeks of age) require stimulation to void/eliminate. So, that’s an added task to an already tough job. Yes, caring for orphan kittens is a full-time job.
If you have your own resident pets, they can be exposed to any unknown diseases that orphan cats may carry. So, be extra careful and isolate your abandoned cats for at least a week to two weeks from your resident pets. And be sure to take your orphans to the vet for a full physical. So, ask yourself. Do you have the time, energy, and resources to provide such an intensive level of care for these kittens?
If not, having a surrogate cat mom available to nurse is a great alternative to doing the work of surrogate mom yourself. However, a nursing queen may not be readily available. So, another option is to take the litter to a rescue center or shelter. And a cat rescue organization, the litter will be able to get the support and care to have a better chance for survival.
Orphan Kitten Supplies
If you choose to keep your newfound orphans, you will need extra supplies to ensure that they remain healthy and to make your job easier. Here are some basic supplies:
- Formula/Milk Replacer
- Kitten Food Dry/Semi-Moist
- Bottles/Catheter
- Litter
- Water/Food Bowls
- Incubator/Box/Bedding
- Towels/Cloth
- Hot Water Bottle
- Glucose
- Thermometer
Remember…if you choose to keep and raise orphan kittens, be prepared for the tough job ahead.
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