Care of Newborn Kittens

Sunday, February 10, 2008

The mother and her kittens should be left alone for at least the first 3 days. Restrain your enthusiasm and desire to handle them until they are at least a week old. keep the box in its dark location until the kittens have had their eyes open a few days - about 2 weeks. The mother will take care of all the kittens' needs - feeding, cleaning and toilet training for the first 4 to 8 weeks. You may want to purchase a litter box with lower sides so the kittens can climb in and out of it easily. As the kittens begin to toddle around on their own, they may nibble at her food. When they are about 4 weeks old, start offering them a dish of easy on the gums canned food or dry food moistened with water or mother's milk substitute (available in pet shops). The kittens will be waned and eating an entirely solid diet between 7 and 10 weeks.

Kittens will be ready for adoption when they are 8 weeks old. Either you or the kitty's new family should take the cat to the vet for a checkup and vaccinations. If you do not already have homes for the kittens, the Animal Protection Institute of America recommends that you advertise them "for sale" rather than "for free." People who want kittens for other purposes than pets may be discouraged by a price tag, even a small one. Also, its a good practice to interview prospective owners before letting the kitten go to make sure he will have a responsible loving home.

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