Stray cats and kittens are a common problem in North America.It is highly unlikely that stray cats would ever be socialized enough to live in a house.Stray kittens are more likely to become pets if they are socialized.There are a number of things you can do to help a stray kitten survive and be a pet.
Step 1: Be sure the kitten is okay.
Mother cats don't always stay with their kittens, they have to leave the kittens alone in order to find food for themselves.Before you take a stray kitten inside, you need to make sure it's been abandoned by its mother.The only way to know if a kitten is abandoned is to watch it.The mother cat cannot see or smell you, so you need to do this from a distance.There is a good chance the mother cat won't come back if you wait a few hours.If the mother cat comes back, it is best for the kitten to stay with her.You can help the mother cat by giving her food, water, and shelter.If you want to socialize the kitten, you can either bring her inside or leave her outside.Stray cats and kittens live in colonies.A kitten can survive on its own if it is at least 4 months old.
Step 2: You can estimate the kitten's age.
The first thing you need to do is estimate how old the kitten is.If you can see her clearly, it's possible to perform this estimation before touching the kitten.A newborn kitten who is less than a week old will weigh between 3 and 8 ounces, have her eyes closed, and be unable to walk.There is a piece of her code still attached to her belly.A kitten who is between 1 and 2 weeks old will weigh between 8 and 11 ounces, have slightly open blue eyes, and attempt to move around.A kitten who is around 3 weeks old will weigh 8 to 15 ounces, have open eyes and ears, be able to take tentative steps, and respond to noises.A kitten who is between 4 and 5 weeks old will weigh between 8 and 17 ounces, be able to run and play with her litter mates, and no longer have blue eyes.
Step 3: There is a mother cat who is already nursing.
Mother cats who are nursing have strong maternal instincts and have adopted other kittens into their litters.Since a mother cat knows how to take care of a kitten, giving it to a nursing mother is the best option.Call your local humane society, veterinary offices, and rescue organizations and ask if anyone has a mother cat who could take on an extra kitten.Even if the kitten can be given to a nursing mother, you can still agree to take it back once it is old.
Step 4: The kitten should be kept warm.
Kittens need a lot of help to stay warm because they can't regulate their own body temperatures until they're at least 3 weeks old.Usually kittens will cuddle with their mother to keep warm, or they'll cuddle together in a pile, one on top of the other.Warm the kitten up with your own body heat.Rub her body with your hands to increase blood circulation.To build a kitten a nest, use a box, laundry basket, plastic tub, etc.To keep her warm, put blankets and towels inside the box.If you need to put a heating pad inside the box, make sure it is only under the towel so the kitten can move away from the heat if she is too hot.The bedding is going to get messy because the kitten doesn't have a mother cat.The kitten shouldn't get wet if it's changed often.If she gets wet, wipe the mess off with a towel.
Step 5: Purchase kitten formula.
A kitten can only drink from a container.If you have any other type of milk on hand, don't give a kitten it.You will need to purchase kitten formula at the pet food store as soon as possible.You will need a bottle for the kitten as well as the formula.The formula is likely sold in the same section.The bottle is easier for the kitten to drink from if the nipple is long.
Step 6: An emergency kitten formula can be made.
You can make an emergency formula from things you have at home if you need to feed the kitten.If you don't have all the ingredients, there's a grocery store open even if the pet store is closed.The ingredients of this formula can be dangerous for a kitten, so it should only be used for emergency purposes.Milk and eggs can be fatal to a kitten.The first option is to mix together an 8 ounce can of evaporated milk with 1 egg yolk and 2 ounces of karo syrup.To remove any lumps, strain the mixture.If you need it for feedings, keep it in the fridge.When it is time for a feeding, make a bottle with this mixture and boiling water.Allow the mixture to cool before giving it to the kitten.2 cups of whole milk, 2 raw egg yolks, and 2 ounces ofProtein powder are included in option 2.You can mix these ingredients with a fork or whisk.Put the bottle in the warm water.
Step 7: Feed the kitten according to schedule.
Depending on their age, kittens need to be fed as often as possible.While on their bellies, kittens need to be fed with a bottle at a slight angle.The kitten's milk needs to be warmed up, but not hot.A kitten needs to be fed every 2 hours around the clock, including the middle of the night.The kittens need to be fed every 3-4 hours around the clock.The kittens need to be fed around the clock.When a kitten is 4-5 weeks old, you can start removing the bottle.If you mix formula with wet food and give it to the kittens in a bowl, you can do this.If they are interested, you can give them dry food.
Step 8: The kitten needs to be euthanized.
When kittens drink formula from a bottle, they need to be burped.A kitten will usually stop drinking when she is full, unless she has trouble getting onto the nipple of the bottle.You can pull on the nipple if the kitten isn't latched onto the bottle.The nipple can be moved to encourage the kitten to suck harder.If the kitten is sick, you may need to feed them through a tube.Before you attempt to do this, you need to go to the vet.Place the kitten on your shoulder or belly and pat her back until she burps.After burping, use a warm and wet cloth to wipe her off and remove any excess milk that may have missed her mouth.
Step 9: Give the kitten something to pee on.
Help going pee and poo is needed for kittens under the age of 4 weeks.Since they have no mother, you have to lick them to make them pee and poo.You don't have to lick them, you can use a soft tissue or cotton ball to do the job.The tissue or cotton ball can be used to gently rub their butt.A kitten's poo won't be solid or in normal poo shapes because they're only drinking formula.
Step 10: It's a good idea to think about how you're going to take in the kitten.
It can be hard to not care for a kitten.It takes a long time to raise a kitten and socialize it to be a pet.You need to be prepared for that type of commitment.A stray kitten will need veterinary care at some point.Standard care.Vaccinations, sterilizing, flea treatment, deworming, etc.It can cost hundreds of dollars.Non-standard care.It can be difficult to know which kittens will need treatment for parasites or upper respiratory infections.It is possible to find someone else who can take on such a commitment.Start with your local humane society.Try other rescue organizations.If you know of someone who can help, you can call the vet's office.
Step 11: The kitten must be weighed regularly.
The kitten needs to be weighed every day in order to grow.You might want to weigh the kitten at the same time every day.You can keep track of the kitten's weight on a chart.In the first week of her life, a kitten should double her weight.
Step 12: Start training litter.
You can teach a kitten how to use a box when they are 4 weeks old.If a kitten starts looking for a place to go to the bathroom before 4 weeks of age, you can put out a little box.A shallow box is ideal for kittens.Many shelters and rescues use a box of canned cat food.Cats can use non-clumping litter.If you use paper or towels to train a kitten, they may develop bad litter box habits that a future owner may not appreciate.Place the kitten in the litter box to get them to use it.You can put a used cotton ball or tissue in with them to give them an idea of what they are suppose to do.
Step 13: The kitten might have health problems.
When kittens are young, they can have a variety of health problems.If you notice any of the problems are getting worse, you should take them to a vet.In kittens, upper respiratory infections are very common.If a kitten has yellow discharge coming out of their nose, or they have trouble breathing while they eat, they may have an URI.They may need to be given antibiotics.Cats that have come from the outdoors can have Fleas.Fleas can be fatal for a kitten.If the kitten has fleas, you should give them a warm bath and comb them off with a flea comb.Do not use a flea medication on a kitten.There are parasites in kittens from the outdoors.poo problems are usually caused by parasites.You can get a deworming treatment for a kitten as young as 10 days old if you notice this.
Step 14: The kitten should be taken to the vet for an exam.
If you haven't already taken your kitten to the vet due to illness, you need to do so as she gets older.Vaccinations are usually given multiple times.
Step 15: The kitten should be in her own room.
A kitten should be kept safe and warm while she is young.You can expand the amount of space she has to play in as she gets older.Make sure there are no hiding spots for your kitten.If you don't have a small room, you can use a cage.When she's older, make sure their space has a place for food and water dishes.The bedding should be set up so that the kitten can hide in the blankets if she is scared.
Step 16: Things shouldn't be said.
If you are around a kitten, move slowly and quietly.She gets use to human voices when you speak softly.If the room she's in has a lot of outside noise, don't play music in that room until she gets used to it.If the kitten has been in your house for a while, you might want to leave a radio in her room when you aren't there.If the kitten isn't scared, put her cage or bed in a more common area of the house so she gets used to the hustle and bustle.
Step 17: Avoid being punished or reprimanded.
If a kitten does things that you consider to be bad, don't scold or punish her.She will realize the type of behavior you want her to have if you reward her for good behavior.She will start to repeat good behavior once she catches on.
Step 18: Don't be hurried.
It can take a while to get a kitten used to humans, depending on how old she was when you brought her inside.Don't rush the process.If you are taking care of more than one kitten, you should separate them and spend one-on-one time with each of them.
Step 19: Food can be used as an incentive to be around people.
You can use food as an incentive to encourage your kitten to be more social.You can leave dry food out for the kitten all day, but only feed her wet food when you are in the room.She appreciates a human's presence so get her to associate wet food with you.While the kitten is eating, place the wet food bowls as close to you as possible.While the kitten is eating to get her use to your touch, gently pet and touch her.Feed the kitten with a spoon to get used to it.Pure meat baby food can be used to treat a kitten.It can't have anything else besides meat.
Step 20: Play with the kitten for at least two hours a day.
It is recommended that you spend at least 2 hours a day with your kitten.Whatever works for you, this can be all at once.At ground level, play with your kitten.If you have more than one kitten, take the time to care for them individually.The kitten should be held as close to your body as possible.The kitten is interested in toys.
Step 21: Introduce your kitten to new people.
You can start introducing a kitten to other pets if she is comfortable with you and not stressed.You can't predict how someone will behave in these interactions.If you introduce the kitten to other humans, she will get used to them.
Step 22: The kitten needs more space to play.
When your kitten gets older and starts playing with toys, you can make her play area larger and include more fun stuff for her to play with.Adding a scratching post or cat tree is one of the things you can do.