Newborn kittens are probably the cutest baby you’ll ever have in your life. It’s a joy to watch them grow up so quickly, and you’ll likely get plenty of photos of their sweet little faces as they get older. But when it comes to newborn kitten care, you still need to remember that your kitten is just that…a kitten. And like all babies, they need to be bathed often to prevent mites from attacking their skin and irritating their membranes. Here’s how to give your cute baby kitty a bath without hurting him or her:
Newborn kittens aren’t born blind, so should be kept warm and secure at all times. Providing a soft, warm bed of plush materials like fleece blankets, put your newborn kitten care on the defaults. Cats tend to tolerate a certain level of comfort, and they’re perfectly happy to curl up in a cozy cat bed if you’re unable to provide one of those.
The newborn kitten care rule of thumb is two pounds for every one pound of cat. This means your cat doesn’t necessarily need to weigh that much at any given time. Keep track of how much your pet weighs in pounds by weighing him once a week and then multiplying that by the number of pounds he or she weighs in ounces. Remember to always take a weight measurement with you when shopping for clothing or going out to eat.
If your newborn kitten care takes place in the first week after birth, you can try to introduce her to her own normal range of behaviors and things. Don’t force anything, and make sure she knows who’s in charge. By the second week, you should have developed a firm relationship with your vet, so you can trust his or her advice regarding feeding, grooming, immunizations, flea control, etc. Your vet will be able to keep track of your kitten’s growth by noting the weights on the ultrasound, so don’t be surprised if your cat starts to add on pounds right away! If this happens, keep your eyes open for a possible medical problem because it may be something serious.
There are many options available to you as far as newborn kitten care is concerned. You’ll need to decide whether or not you want to get your baby home with you (which would be a lifelong reward) or with your family (an option that will only be viable for a short period of time). You can also choose to keep her in the nursery until your new little one is weaned, at which point you can transfer her to your partner’s or other family member’s nursery. Many people prefer the security of their newborns staying in their own environment, especially if the child has special needs. However, be aware that your little one will become a precious part of your life in the coming months, so it makes sense to consider all of your options before making any final decisions.
One of the best places to start your newborn kitten care is with your local veterinarian. While most veterinarians now offer a variety of services to help you look after your pets (not just dogs and cats, but also birds and horses), some also specialize in newborn kitten care. So if you have any questions, your veterinarian will be more than happy to help answer them. Additionally, your veterinarian will be able to give you helpful tips for grooming your cat, as well as various tips for handling and raising kittens.
When it comes to newborn kitten care, the most important aspect of the process is making sure that you house the kittens (and mother cats) in a healthy environment for their entire lives. It’s important to know exactly what type of environment your little fur babies will live in before bringing them home, so make sure you choose a nursery that is free of any pets (including siblings) until they’re old enough to leave their mother’s care. Also, be aware of any cats or dogs who may have an allergy to the dust mites and other allergens that are found in a good nursery. If you’re unsure about these particular aspects, contact your vet or an allergist before purchasing the kittens.
Another important part of newborn kitten care is preparing the mother cat for weaning. Weaning kittens requires removing all of her natural born kittens and placing her in a crate, which should only be used for this purpose under the supervision of the vet. The reason for doing this is to minimize the risk of infection and stress to the mother cat, as well as to make it easier for her to wean her kittens. While removing her babies to a new environment is the most important part of this process, you should keep in mind that it’s not necessary to remove their natural sense of smell and heat, which can be achieved by occasionally playing with them (provided they aren’t aggressive) in the enclosed crate.