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Bottle Baby Care
Orphaned newborn/young kittens need a lot of help to survive. As a foster parent there are a few things that you can do to help ensure the kittens survival. It is important to remember that these animals can die despite our best efforts, they often come to us in bad shape and may have underlying health concerns that we don’t even know about.
Foster parents need to be able to check on their baby at least every two to three hours throughout the day (they should be within earshot as often as possible) and be near them at night incase they need night time care. It is a full time commitment that can last for 5-10 weeks depending on the individual kitten.
What we CAN do:
*Bottle feed the baby as needed each kitten is different and will require different amount of food as they grow and change. For newborn/young babies it is important to offer the bottle to them often, at least every 2-3 hours. As the babies get bigger the feeding can be farther apart. Basically if they are awake and healthy they will want to eat.
*Ill kittens may need to be fed with an eye-dropper or syringe until they gain the strength to eat on their own.
*Newborn and young kittens need help to go to the bathroom, their moms usually lick them so what we do in place is to rub their anus and genitals with a moist cotton ball/finger. At first the rubbing will have to continue until the animal is finished, as they get older and gain control it may just take slight contact to stimulate the area and the animals will be able to go on their own. It is important to make sure they are both urinating and defecating often, again each kitten is different but if it has been several days and the baby hasn’t pooped, bring kitten to Wendy for review. If still unable to go an appointment with Dr. Moyer will be made. If a kitten hasn’t eaten in sometime before coming to the refuge it may take a few days for the body to process the food you are giving it so be patient.
*Once the kitten is able to go to the bathroom on their own they are ready for a littler box. Clay litter is fine, but do not use scoopable litter for kittens. There is a chance of blockage, due to the clumpling properties, should they ingest it.
Most kittens need little more than to be placed in the box to understand what it is used for but will not be 100% right away, especially if they are in a bigger space, but accidents are common and should go away as the baby grows.
*It is important to keep the kitten and it’s bedding clean and dry. It is best to use a paper towel/washcloth moistened with water to clean the babies face and paws after feedings and hind quarters after using the bathroom. Baby wipes are too harsh for kittens so stick to water. Bedding will most likely get dirty often, babies are messy so make sure to have plenty of towels/baby blankets/pillow cases (we have plenty if you need some) on hand and expect more laundry than usual.
*Kittens need to have heating pads most of the time, unless it is very warm in the area they are being housed. They are unable to regulate their own body heat when they are small. If they never were able to nurse from their mother, they did not receive the antibodies her milk would have provided so they are also more susceptible to illness. Their whole world needs to be clean, warm, and soft, as it would be if they were with their mom. The heating pad should always be covered with a pillowcase, blanket, or thin towel.
*EMAR kittens should be housed in the plastic tubs provided. Small cat carriers don’t provide adequate amounts of space or heat retention, and are more difficult to clean.
* Save your receipts if you would like to be reimbursed for additional supplies (litter, food, milk)
*Call Wendy or Sylvan with questions, concerns about your baby.
Wendy- 280-8599 or
Sylvan (East Maui Animal Refuge)-572-8308
*When your baby is grown (able to eat solid food, lap water from a bowl, and use a littler box) it is time to start looking for an adoptive home. Talk with Wendy if you or someone you know wants to adopt the baby and an adoption can be arranged. If you don’t know anyone interested we need to post the baby on craigslist. We would really prefer to keep all of these babies away from the actual refuge due to their needs and susceptibility to illness so if you are able to foster them until they are placed it would be greatly appreciated. If you are unable to please let Wendy know asap so that another placement can be arranged.
*If you will be off island at any time during your young foster kittens time with you please let Wendy know when you commit to having the baby or as soon as you find out. We will need to make sure that there will be coverage for the baby while you are away.
Thank you so much for helping with our Boo Boo Bottle Babies!
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