Orphaned kittens

[MCHRKiller]

We had a stray female cat show up around our barn about a month ago, she had 4 pretty little kittens about 2-2.5 weeks ago which were doing very well. While I went down one evening to check on them and feed my horse I heard meowing and the kittens were all alone which was rare because the mother rarely left them. They were practically screaming. I called my vet and was instructed to attempt to feed them just incase something had happend to the mother cat. Its been over 2 days now and she hasnt returned, and Im doubting she will.

I have bought some kitten milk replacement for them now, that first night the vet told me in a pinch to use some cream and dilute it down with water to give them something on their stomach and prevent dehydration. They are still in good weight and active. My mom and I feed them whenever we can, usually about every 3-5hrs. Theyve now been moved into a laundry basket and placed in my bedroom. My 150lb german shepard/timber wolf cross has actually taken to mothering them. I put their basket in one of my tanks cabinets to keep them in a darker location and the humm of the canisters seems to calm them down, it also keeps them out of harms way of my older house cat. Its so funny my dog lays infront of where they are and tends to guard them and after a feeding hes there to do the grooming.:c2:

Has anyone got any experience raising orphaned animals? Any tips or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

[gourami*girl]

We had a litter of kittens when I was a kid, and our german shephard took to them just like your's has. She would watch them and lick them and one of the kittens even nursed on her fur. She just loved it. I bet they'll form a really strong bond.

As far as orphened animals go, nothing besides the doomed baby birds that my cats brought in alive, so I can't be much help in that regard.

[Minderella83]

I am fostering 6 kittens right now. If you want to know anything specific pm me.

[gm72]

My wife runs the Humane Society here and we have been raising a litter of 4 kittens from birth.

It sounds like you are doing the right thing as far as feeding is concerned. Make sure to, with a warm moist cloth, stimulate their butts both before and after feeding. They may not be voiding independently on their own yet at that age and so require said stimulation to void bowel and bladder.

[MCHRKiller]

Thanks for the replies :) Im actually shocked at how much these little guys eat, I fed them atleast 3.5-4tsp each this morning. I just let them eat as much as they want atleast a couple feedings per day. Otherwise I go by what the directions say. They seem to be thriving and growing. Thanks...we are doing the wet wash cloth thing. My dog also helps with that end :) They are going on their own as the towel they lay on in the clothes basket is wet by the end of the day and needs changed but I figure replicated mother cant hurt either. After each feeding theyll get wiped down with a warm wet cloth, they actually seem to enjoy it.

They are to the best of my memory about 18-20 days old now. Their eyes are open, they can walk around altho a bit shakey, and can climb out of their basket and purr. Is that development about spot on? Also when can I start introducing some canned kitten food into their milk...its hard to satisfy them it seems with just this milk replacement. Ive never had a litter of kittens, weve had random stray cats show up around our barn and some would have a litter but they would be ferral and besides putting out cat food we didnt do alot with them. Other than that our cats have always been acquired around 8weeks and fixed as soon as possible.

[gm72]

Everything sounds right, yes. You can start introducing pureed wet cat food at any time, they will take it when they are ready.

[Tabeguache]

Several years ago, we found 2 kittens abandoned in our horse trailer. The vet said they were about a week old. We started feeding them with eye-droppers, then moved to bottles provided by the vet. They got so good at it that they could hold the bottles themselves. We used wet q-tips to encourage using the bathroom, which they also picked up on quickly.

At the time, we had two male dogs. The corgi wasn't interested in them, but the beagle-mutt turned into Mr. Mom. He slept with them and would move them in his mouth. When they got old enough to go outside, they would run to the nearest pine tree and climb about 6 inches up the trunk and hang there crying. Sammy would rescue them. He was a good mommy!

One thing to watch for...ours tore through the lining of the box springs under the bed. They then climbed in the box springs and played (a weird feeling if you were laying on the bed) or even take a nap.

Good luck with your babies! Raising our two kittens was soooo much fun!