Premature Kittens

Discovering an orphaned or abandoned kitten, and deciding to hand-raise the little one can be a rewarding, yet daunting undertaking. Finding out that the kitten may be premature can leave you feeling even more anxious and wondering whether you'll be able to care for this tiny, fragile being.

How can I tell if a kitten is premature?

There are several things to look for if you suspect a kitten is premature:

• Very low weight. A full-term newborn kitten weighs 3.3-3.7 ounces (91-105 grams). Anything lower than approximately 3.1 ounces (87 grams) is considered a low birth weight in kittens. Live premature kittens can weigh as little as 2 ounces (57 grams), although these extremely tiny kittens do not often survive.
• Very small body size.
• Wrinkled skin.
• Sparse or no fur on the chest, abdomen, legs and sometimes over the whole body.
• May not be able to hold head up or crawl.

Can a premature kitten survive?

Yes, it is sometimes possible to successfully hand-raise a premature kitten. Having said that, looking after premature kittens is very time consuming and can be heartbreaking at times. These little beings are at a disadvantage from the moment they are born. Premature kittens are a real challenge to take care of and often don’t survive, despite the best of care.

What is different about premature kittens?

These kittens are very fragile and prone to infection. They gain weight, grow and develop more slowly than full-term kittens and will take longer to reach milestones such as opening their eyes, sitting up and walking. Premature kittens need to be kept warmer than full-term kittens. Their internal organs are often underdeveloped, as they haven’t had a chance to finish forming in the safety of the mother-cat’s womb. This is especially significant in the digestive system, which means that premature kittens often have problems digesting their food and having bowel movements.