Newborn kittens and puppies cannot control their own body temperature, see well or go to the toilet on their own. Without a mother, they depend on you around the clock. It is hard work, but following a few key rules makes a big difference. Contact a veterinarian as early as possible; very young animals can go downhill quickly.
1. Warmth comes first
Until about 3–4 weeks of age, kittens and puppies cannot keep themselves warm. A chilled newborn cannot digest food, so always warm before you feed.
- Use a box or carrier with soft towels.
- Place a heating pad on its lowest setting under half of the box, covered with a towel, or use a warm water bottle wrapped in cloth. The babies must be able to move away if they get too hot.
- Keep the box in a draft-free room.
- A newborn should feel warm to the touch, not cool. If it feels cold, warm it gradually against your body before doing anything else.
2. Feeding
- Use a commercial milk replacer made for kittens or puppies. Never give cow’s milk, goat’s milk bought for people, or homemade mixtures unless a vet advises it; they can cause diarrhea and dehydration.
- Use a bottle or syringe designed for the species. Prepare formula according to the package and warm it to about body temperature; test a few drops on your wrist.
- Feed with the baby on its belly, head level, the way it would nurse from its mother. Never feed a kitten or puppy lying on its back, as milk can go into the lungs.
- Let the baby suckle at its own pace. Do not squeeze formula into the mouth; if milk bubbles from the nose, stop and hold the baby with its head down briefly.
- Newborns need feeding every 2–3 hours, including overnight. See the kitten age and feeding chart for amounts by age, and follow your vet’s and the formula’s guidance.
3. Helping them toilet
Mother animals lick their babies to stimulate urination and defecation. Until about 3–4 weeks of age you need to do this after every feeding:
- Gently rub the genital and anal area with a warm, damp cotton ball or soft cloth until the baby urinates and passes stool.
- Urine should be pale yellow. Stool is usually passed at least once a day.
- Keep the baby clean and dry afterwards.
4. Weigh daily
A kitchen scale that measures in grams is one of your most useful tools. Weigh each baby at the same time every day and write it down. Healthy kittens typically gain about 10–15 grams a day. Weight loss, or no weight gain for a day or two, is a reason to call a vet.
Danger signs: see a vet urgently
- Feeling cold, limp or unresponsive
- Refusing to feed, or weak suckling
- Diarrhea, especially watery or bloody
- Crying constantly and unable to settle
- Difficulty breathing, milk coming from the nose
- Weight loss
Weaning
From around 4 weeks, start offering a shallow dish of formula mixed with a little wet kitten or puppy food. Gradually thicken the mixture over the following weeks. Most kittens are eating wet and dry kitten food on their own by 7–8 weeks.
This guide is general information and not a substitute for veterinary advice.