Week Old Orphans

I work at a pet store, and yesterday, a man came in with two kittens. The mother was a stray living near his house, and he watched her leave her two kittens one day and never come back. The kittens were alone for almost two days before he brought them to me.

One's eyes are opened all the way, but the other's eyes are still closed. So, I'm guessing they are 8-10 days old? They're eating every 2-4 hours (they let me know when they're hungry, though I woke them up once for a feeding). I'm not sure exactly how much milk they're getting, but they pull away from the bottle when they're finished.

They are urinating before and after each meal. The kitten that has its eyes open has had a bowel movement twice - black, firm, and looked very uncomfortable. The other kitten has not. As they've only had regular feedings for about 12 hours now, when should I be seeing "normal" kitten stools?

And, my main question: I have them in a medium sized dog kennel with a heating pad under about 1/3 of the bottom. The heating pad is inside with the kittens, under two towels and a pillow case. They seem to love the warmth and have only crawled away from the heat once. The only problem I'm having is that the heating pad I have turns off on its own after about an hour. I don't want them to get too cold during the night. They're well protected from drafts and have each other to keep warm. What should I do? Anything different?

And, just for those that are interested, I was told they're both female (haven't checked for myself yet) and one is all black, the other is a little gray tabby. I'll post pictures if anyone is interested.

Thank you in advance. Sorry for writing a novel!

Bless your heart for taking care of these little babies!

I think the average age when they open their eyes is 10-12 days old, but I've heard of kittens opening their eyes earlier and later of that time. Based on the fact that they are crawling off the heating pad and someone was able to sex them, I'd guess they are on the older side. I've never been able to accurately sex the orphans that I've raised until they were weeks old. Males look a lot like females when they are that young.

The firm black stool is most likely due to the fact that their food has switched from mother's milk to formula. I do know that I didn't get regular stools from mine until they were closer to 3 weeks old, and before that always had somewhat soft stools. Be concerned if it remains hard.

Here's a great site that talks about taking care of orphaned kittens. There's a link at the top of the page that talks about keeping kittens warm. http://www.kitten-rescue.com/

Yes, we LOVE pictures!!!

Thanks for taking them in. You can supplement that heat- I hate those darn heating pads that turn off every two hours! Several ways- hot water bottles (which I like better than using soda bottles) because it retains heat longer and is flat and you can lay it off to the side. www.snuggleme.com is wonderful. I have had a snugglekittie for years and the combination of the battery powered heart and heating pad has soothed many an orphan over the years I have been rescuing.

You can also buy heated cat beds- or heated cat pads that do not turn off- but they are a bit spendy.

If you have any questions you are welcomed to PM me. Amy mentioned kitten-rescue, which is my website. I have worked with bottle babies for years and years. I would be happy to try and help you if you need it.

All the above advice is excellent. I just wanted to say you have a good heart to take these babies in.

There needs to be more people like you.

I am so glad these little kitties have a home with you. Thanks.

Thank you all for the replies. I can't really afford a heated bed right now, but I'll continue using the heating pad I've got and probably some hot water bottles, too. At each feeding, they are going through a tablespoon of formula between the two of them.

How much should kittens this age be awake? Normally, they go right back to sleep after they're fed, but right now, all they want to do is NOT be in their 'nest'. I don't know if they're uncomfortable or just want to be awake. They're crawling around and crying. (Of course, as I type this, one falls asleep...)

I'm so worried they're not comfortable...

Talking about warmth.

Yes, it is necessary to think on it. And cats body temp is higher then humans. Thus, they like it somewhat warmer than is really comfortable for humans.

But too much warmth is not so good either.

So you must watch out...

Perhaps they do have too warm at moments??


Good luck!

Originally Posted by shelabama

They're crawling around and crying. (Of course, as I type this, one falls asleep...)

Click to expand...

I would imagine they are still very anxious as they have lost their mother and have been through a lot. I'm sure things will settle down and you are wonderful for rescuing them.

for you and your babies! Hope they do well!

A better solution than those dang heating pads that want human intervention to keep turning them back on every hour on the hour -

A seed starting mat. Black plastic, long electric cord / plug, heats to 10 to 15 degrees above ambient temperature. Come in different sizes, as large as 20" X 60" but you cannot cut them down. While cannot be submerged O.K. with moist potting soil so I'd think a kitten urinating on a towel would not be a problem. Manufacturer is Hydrofarm. Available on-line or at good garden centers.

This is what I'm using for my Fog cat with the gimpy hind legs, since yesterday evening. He's loving it.