Looking After Kittens: First Steps

You’ve come to the realization that your cat is pregnant. Congratulations! These new additions to your family will bring out emotions not unlike welcoming your own children into the world. But looking after kittens is a special skill set unto itself. What should you reasonably expect from the experience? What are the essentials you will need to know to make sure your little bundles of joy grow up healthy and strong?

Cats can be notoriously private creatures; so don’t be too alarmed to have missed the birthing process. It is likely you will arrive to see your proud mother already nursing her young. As with all creatures in the animal world, the birthing process can prove to a little messy. It is important you move your cat and her kittens somewhere more clean, dry and safe. Ideally this new area should be quiet and separate from the main areas of traffic in your house. It is also desirable that there shouldn’t be too much light present, so a room that can be darkened would be best. Unfortunately, there is a chance of infant mortality when kittens are born. These kittens should be removed and humanely disposed of when sanitizing the mess from the birthing. It is unlikely the mother will be protective of her dead young.

Apart from periodical checks, it is probably best to leave the mother pretty much alone with her kittens for the first few days. At this time kittens need their mother cat’s body warmth and a constant food supply, so too much intervention from you as the owner could prove to be unproductive in terms of the kittens overall health. Looking after kittens is about giving them what they need and what kittens need for the first two weeks of life is mother milk and plenty of sleep. Don’t worry; there will be ample time for kitten play in the weeks ahead!

Your kitten’s eyes should start to open in the second week of life. If they remain closed for any longer than this you should call your vet. Most likely this is the result of a mild eye infection – quite a common disorder. However, keep a closer eye on these kittens as, in rare cases, the infection can flare up and become severe. A veterinarian should be consulted immediately in these cases.

After the first month of life your kittens should be starting to explore their environment on their little legs. They should also start to show an interest in solid food. Invest in a good quality kitten food at this stage because these serve the nutritional requirements of your developing little cats and will help avoid health issues later in life. Be warned that specialty kitten food is a little more expensive than standard cat fare and you will have to make allowances in the family budget! Your greatest dilemma in this situation is keeping the mother cat away from this delicious food source because as you know by now all cats are undeniably attracted to the tastiest food treats they can find. Not too unlike their human counterparts.

The vaccination cycle begins in a kitten’s third month and you should approach your vet at this stage. By this time they have become independent little individuals and are generally ready to leave their mother’s immediate care. If you are planning to sell or give away your kittens please ensure that you check out the potential owners on more than a cursory level. Looking after your kittens doesn’t end at your front door. Like any adoptive child you want to make sure they are entering into a safe and loving environment for the rest of their natural lives. Enjoy your kittens while they are with you, they will bring a special energy and joy into your household!