Oh my goodness, have you ever stumbled upon a litter of abandoned kittens in your neighborhood? It can be both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time! But fear not, my feline-loving friend; there are a few things you can do to help these furry little guys out.
Should dos:
Make sure they are safe.
First things first, safety first! If the area is unsafe for the kittens, finding a new spot for them is essential. However, wait to jump the gun – the mother cat may be out hunting and will come back. It’s always best to wait a bit before making any decisions.
Orphans in the wild are likely to be left by their mothers, so if you spot a litter of kittens and cannot find any sign of the mother, it’s best not to assume they are orphaned. She may have just taken off without them to grab a quick snack or find a private spot for her babes. But if it’s been hours and she doesn’t return, you must assess the kittens’ health.
You must take the kittens to a vet for treatment if they are unhealthy.. If the kittens appear to be healthy, then you can begin to socialize them. This includes handling them gently, talking softly, and offering them food and water.
Kittens need their moms if possible.
Now, kittens need their mom for a few reasons. Her milk contains exactly what kittens need to be healthy little cats, and it’s better quality than any other type of cat food or replacement milk on the market today! Plus, she keeps them warm and teaches them how everything works – from where to go potty to how to catch that pesky red dot.
Keep an eye on temperature.
Ensuring they are not too hot or cold is crucial when caring for a kitten. Kittens cannot control their body temperature, so a heating pad placed on low-to-medium warmth can relieve them.
Kittens are born with closed eyes and ears that fold in at birth. After 2 weeks, they open up to see the world around them while learning to walk on wobbly legs. By the 8-week mark, most kittens can take care of themselves.
Once the kitten has eaten, it’s time to burp and wipe down. Suppose she was born less than 4 weeks ago. In that case, you’ll want to make sure that her anogenital area (where all of your important business goes) gets a warm damp paper towel or cloth wipe so as not to miss any accidents!
Time to find a forever home.
Once the kittens are healthy and fed, they look for their forever homes. Just be sure to spay or neuter them before giving them away to prevent unwanted litters. You can contact a local animal shelter or rescue group or advertise in the newspaper.
Do nots:
But wait, there are a few things you should NOT do if you find abandoned kittens.
Feed them anything..
First, don’t try to feed them cow’s milk – it can cause diarrhea and other health problems. And don’t give them high-fat foods, as this can lead to obesity.
Force them to socialize.
Lastly, please don’t force them to socialize with people or other animals. It can be super stressful for them and could even make them sick.
2 weeks old
At 2 weeks, your kitten can be bottle-fed around the clock. Hence, it goes into her stomach instead of coming out through a puncture wound in case any tiny air bubbles are left over after blending with watery food products – this is very important! You must give her formula every two hours and ensure you feed from an open cup or saucer.
4 weeks old
Once 4–5 weeks old, she may start on wet cat foods like moistened canned condensed feeding mixture (found at stores), which come ready mixed right inside their bowls; these also have vitamins added.
Try not to take them to a shelter.
Could you not take them to the shelter? Neonatal kittens are not welcomed at most shelters, so if you find one on your street or in an abandoned building, you or a vet must take care of them. Most only provide neonates with food and water if they are trained explicitly for this type. Without proper guidance, they will die within days after birth.
Remember, don’t beat yourself up if things don’t go as planned. You did everything you could to help those little furballs, and sometimes nature can be harsh to abandoned kittens. Just be patient, give them the love and care they need, and you’ll find them good homes in no time!
If things go well, you should have no problem finding homes for the abandoned kittens in your neighborhood. Remember, they will need time to adjust to their new surroundings and may not be ready to be socialized immediately. Be patient and give them the time they need to change; you will find them good homes.
And so, as we wrap up, it’s essential to realize that finding and caring for abandoned kittens isn’t a walk in the park. It takes dedication, patience, and a lot of love. But knowing that you’ve played a pivotal role in giving these innocent little beings a shot at a better life makes it all worth it.
Remember, the journey doesn’t end at merely finding a safe place; it’s also about ensuring they grow up to be healthy, well-adjusted cats. The knowledge we’ve shared here is a good starting point, but feel free to seek professional help when needed. Your local vet or animal welfare organizations can be great resources.
In the end, the experience of nurturing these kittens can be as rewarding for you as it is for them. You get to witness their first steps, their first purrs, and eventually, their transformation into happy, healthy cats ready for their forever homes.
So, if you ever encounter an abandoned kitten, remember this: you can change their story. And who knows? In the process, they might change yours too.
