found a baby kitten

hello everyone, I am just looking for any extra advice on raising an orphaned kitten. I have had a kitten for 10 days now, and she is just a baby. I took her to the vet and they estimated her at 12 days old. her umbilical cord fell off about 4 days ago, but her eyes are still shut. I am thinking she is a long hair seeing that it is taking longer for her eyes to open. I have been feeding her every 2-3 hours from a bottle, with KMR. I also bathe her after each feeding with warm water and a cotton ball. I also help her go potty after each feeding and she pees frequently, and poops once or twice a day. I have a heating pad, with ablanket over it.. a stuffed animal with rice inside, and some sheepskin blankies for her to cuddle with. I wake up to feed her every 3 hours through the night. the vet said she seems okay, but recommends giving it to a humane society so it "has a mother and won't be an aggressive cat". I am going to continue raising her.. and would like to know if there's anything else I should be doing? thanks.

Congratulations on your rescue! I don't agree with your vet, shelters are over-run with kittens this time of year, I think it's wonderful that you are keeping the little mite.

What is her name? It sounds like you are doing all you can for her.

Do you have any experience at all with cats? As she gets older and begins to explore and play is when you will have to take on the roll of mama and siblings and teach her the proper way to behave. You might need some help then, and I (and others) can help you train her.

We have quite a few members who do rescue work for orphans so I know you will get lots of support and advice.

Got any pics?

PS Welcome to TCS!

It sounds like you're doing a great job with this little sweety! I can't think of much else, although from your description, it sounds like she's a little younger than what your vet thought...their umbilical cords fall off at around 4-7 days old, and their eyes open usually around day 8-12. She may just have been a new-born when you found her...

From your description, I'd say she's getting better care from you than she would get at any shelter.

Most kittens open their eyes by the time they're 10 days old, so your vet may have mis-guessed on the age.

Any questions at all that you may have, just ask. There are people in and out of here all the time, so you shouldn't have to go very long without an answer.

Thank you for taking in this kitten and being such a wonderful caregiver! Unfortunately, most shelters do not have the time or resources to give such one on one care that a little guy like this needs, so I think you are doing the right thing. It would be ideal if a mother who is already nursing could take on this baby, and the kitten could grow up around other kittens to learn proper behaviors, but sometimes situations are less than ideal, and we just have to make do!

It sounds like you are doing everything you can at this point. My babies did not fully open their eyes until about 12 days, so in my experience I think that time frame can vary. As others have said, as the kitten gets older you will need to instill some proper behaviors in her so that she will be a good kitty when she grows up, but we can all help you with that when the time comes. Orphans who do not grow up with a mom and siblings do tend to play a little too rough, sometimes have litterbox issues etc...but keep coming here for advice and we can hopefully help curb as many of those issues as possible. Good luck, and post pictures if you get a chance!

I agree everything already said, and do thank you and congrat you for your excellent effort!!!


About the vets advice. It could be useful if this Human society did had a suitable mom or at least, a very friendly cat, female or male, willing to accept the kitten and be a mother to it. + of course, a dedicated coworker who has time....
As this is rather optimistic - yours is her very best bet.


But. I did have noticed vets are sometimes saying things like this. "its hopeless, we must put him to sleep" or such. In cases where I KNOW it isnt at all hopeless, in fact, the surgery no big deal...
I think they sometimes are giving the owner an easy way out. If they think the owner isnt dedicated. Or if they suspect the owner doesnt have the money to pay for all the costs involved.
Thus, it isnt incompetence, but a somewhat clumsy way to trying to help the average owner out.

So if you really want to save the cat, even if costs - time, effort or money or both - say so clearly.


A good site for rescued kittens is www.kitten-rescue.com.

Although I dont think you will find much new there. You had already done all the core from there....



Tx and Good luck!

I think you are doing a great job. I found a newborn kitty almost 3 years ago. I was told by the spca and the vet, it might be better just to let her go. It was kitten season. The spca couldn't take her. I couldn't let this baby die. Her eyes didn't open until day 13. She wouldn't wean off the bottle until 10 weeks old. She is a happy healthy girl. Keep up the good work.


This is Lucky 2 days after I found her.

Originally Posted by mbjerkness

I think you are doing a great job. I found a newborn kitty almost 3 years ago. I was told by the spca and the vet, it might be better just to let her go. It was kitten season. The spca couldn't take her. I couldn't let this baby die. Her eyes didn't open until day 13. She wouldn't wean off the bottle until 10 weeks old. She is a happy healthy girl. Keep up the good work.


This is Lucky 2 days after I found her.

Click to expand...

Your Lucky was beautiful, and still is!

Originally Posted by mbjerkness

I think you are doing a great job. I found a newborn kitty almost 3 years ago. I was told by the spca and the vet, it might be better just to let her go. It was kitten season. The spca couldn't take her. I couldn't let this baby die. Her eyes didn't open until day 13. She wouldn't wean off the bottle until 10 weeks old. She is a happy healthy girl. Keep up the good work.


This is Lucky 2 days after I found her.

Click to expand...

Awww....what a dear little thing. How wonderful that you saved her life and now are reaping all the joy of living with and loving her. You must really cherish that picture!

I do cherish this picture . I can't believe she was that tiny.