Found three little kittens, I have no idea how to take care of them

Okay. Hi. Short introduction, I've always loved cats, and always wanted to have my own, though my mom doesn't really like them around or in the house. I was fine with it.

Last night, I found these three kittens. Normally I didn't care much about street kittens meowing all the way to the other side of the road because I know the mother would eventually come back for them, but these guys were different.

They were in a box...

Soooo... I decided to take them home.

I did some research then bought a small feeder(squeezable) and gave them some milk(a can of evaporated milk mixed with one egg yolk as I saw in one site), I was panicking then. I don't know how to and what to feed them. Only two of them actually drank it.

For the night, I kept them in a large box with two face towels for a bed. I did some more research.

Next morning, I went out to ask the city vet about vaccines and stuff. Told me they'd do it when they're more than three months old.

Bought some kitten formula milk. Got home and fed them, this time they all drank up. 

After two/three hours, fed them again. All drank up. 

I also got them a small rectangular basket and let them sleep there. It had a cushion.

Come 8 PM, they pee and poo all over. Well, two of them. Cleaned both, replaced cushion with two face towels covered by paper towels for easy disposal should they decide to do it again. Since they could climb out of the basket, I kinda caged them by taking a large box, opening up the top and bottom part, then placing it over the basket. The setup looks like a castle with the kingdom walls all around.

It's 12 here now, I couldn't sleep for some reason. Everyone else is asleep, and I would definitely not want to wake anyone up.

I checked on them with a flashlight and noticed that they've already soiled... everything. Poo in the basket, right next to where they're sleeping, and some outside. Pee, I'm pretty sure it's everywhere too. It doesn't really smell like anything.

What should I do?

I forgot to add. They look like they're about three weeks old. Still kinda blind, walks are wobbly. Ears up though. And when I put the feeder bottle to their face they put their heads up as if they could see/smell it, or they've learned that's how I feed them.

You definitely need to feed them every few hours. Probably every three hours, even through the night, while they stabilize. What kind of kmr are you feeding? How much are you feeding each time?

Every time you feed them you need to help them potty. To do this, you rub their genitals with a cotton ball or a cloth until they go. You can do this before and after they eat, the idea being to simulate how their mom would lick them.

Can you post photos?

They also need a heating source, and should never drink milk that is cold. Do you need directions on how to feed them? Will they suck out of a bottle?

A sock with uncooked rice, microwaved for five minutes, makes a great heater for kittens to snuggle.

I've got a 50 cc bottle that I heat up a bit and I usually end up with half of that after every feeding. Milk is... I'm not sure, but the vet told me it's the only type they've got. Also told me it's a 1:1 milk/water ratio(it's powdered).

They've learned how to suck from the bottle. I usually just put it near one's face and he/she'd bite and get sucking, then they'd stop and avoid it and go to sleep.

They're really, really loud before, during, and after feeding... everyone would be awakened if I did right now I'm the only one who hasn't got anything to do until next week..

Thanks for the advise about the potty thing. Had I known that 12 hours ago...

Right now, they're cuddling in the basket, along with their waste... I really hate seeing that. 

Also I can't post photos right now, phone's charging.

This article may help you out

 [article="0"]Hand Rearing Kittens​[/article]  

They have to eat every few hours, even if they're loud. They will not survive without around the clock care at this age. You also need to change the blankets in their basket so they aren't lying in their own waste.

The amount you feed is based on how much they weigh. Did the vet see them and weigh them?

Yeah, that's just how it is to raise babies :/. Lots of cleaning! Just clean then up whenever you see a mess, keep clean bedding nearby so it won't take too long.

It's a lot easier to raise them at this age than if they were newborns. If they're pottying by themselves they don't need to be stimulated. In a week or so you should be able to start them on solid food (mix the kitten milk with canned kitten food---I like Fancy Feast turkey kitten food or Iams kitten--- until it's mushy)., although I also give them a bottle once a day until they're about 8 weeks old to prevent them from developing a sucking obsession. You can put a small shallow litterbox (like a cat food can cardboard tray) in their area, they may not be very good at it yet but it's a god idea for them to be introduced to the concept at an early age.

I prefer to confine baby kittens to a cage when I can't supervise, for their own safety. Can you buy/borrow a solid bottom rabbit/guinea pig cage? That just makes it so much easier. You want one big enough for a bed, food and water, and a litterbox.

I was under the impression that you helped them potty until they used a litter box. Not so?

The mama cat might clean up after them still. But little kittens actually CAN'T go unless they're stimulated. Once they're physically able to go on their own you don't have to stimulate. Although they'll still probably need a little washing up afterward.

talkingpeanut said:

I was under the impression that you helped them potty until they used a litter box. Not so?

Click to expand...

Correct.  A big point with stimulating them potty is they dont soil their bedding as much, as most of the poo and pee is done already.

Still, its better they CAN do on their own, then if they were, say constipated.   Also, its sometimes quite tricky to stimulate them, if you arent experienced. The  TS is not.

The only question here is, I suspect they have somewhat diarrhea...  Better some diarrhea than constipation, unless is a real runny water diarrhea. But it goes messy if you dont have a good system yes.

@threelilkittens    TS.  Tx for saving their lives. They were obviously dumped.  Luck they are essentially healthy (although prob some diarrhea-ish).   It more difficult to save weak kittens, especielly if not experienced.   Still you must be vigilant and fight on.  As far you have did it very nicely for a newbe.

What country are you in?  If in USA - what part?

Can you get goat milk?   The kmr powder you got is surely OK, as you got it from the vet. But goat milk is always an OK alternative, and raw fresh or frozen goat milk is even excellent.  Both now as emergency kmr, and later on, as supplement.

Some links about caring for orphans:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/hand-rearing-kittens

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/
http://www.kittenrescue.org/index.php/cat-care/kitten-care-handbook/

If their eyes are closed then theyre younger than 3 weeks...and they should be able to get their first set of shots at 2 months or something. Thats what the shelters do.

Hi! I just woke up, I stayed up looking for the feeder cap and feeding them. This goes on until they can feed/potty on their own right?

Yeah, I *am* helping them potty... whenever I get the chance, about 20 mins after feeding. They actually can go by themselves, that's why I've been cleaning up like crazy lol

Thanks for all the advice guys. 

Also, pics.

I still haven't gotten around to the meowing thing though. I've just fed them. They're meowing loud right now, I assumed it meant "I want to eat" or "I want to potty", but it seems to be neither... help?

And what kind of litter should I use? We have a lot of wood shavings here, read about it somewhere, but I still want to ask. Can you tell their age? 

Sorry for the lot of questions, this is my first time caring for kittens... and I got three ._.

I live in the Philippines by the way.

They stopped meowing ._. right now the biggest one (the first in the pics) is on my leg nibbling. I'm assuming they're trying to suckle..? Are they? 

They're very cute!  I would guess right around three weeks old.  They should be eating around 80 ccs of formula a day, so you can divide that into feedings.  If they are meowing they may still be hungry.

Thanks! Haha. Yeah, they are adorable ._. I especially like it when they're sleeping



^ that was from before I realized they'd potty everywhere. I've replaced the cloth with paper towels. 

Also, 80 cc per kit? 

Thanks! I especially like it when they're sleeping in their basket ._.


^ this was from before I realized they'd potty everywhere. I've since replaced the cloth with paper towels. Haha.

Also, 80 cc per kit per day?

StefanZ said:

 
Correct.  A big point with stimulating them potty is they dont soil their bedding as much, as most of the poo and pee is done already.

Still, its better they CAN do on their own, then if they were, say constipated.   Also, its sometimes quite tricky to stimulate them, if you arent experienced. The  TS is not.

The only question here is, I suspect they have somewhat diarrhea...  Better some diarrhea than constipation, unless is a real runny water diarrhea. But it goes messy if you dont have a good system yes.

@threelilkittens    TS.  Tx for saving their lives. They were obviously dumped.  Luck they are essentially healthy (although prob some diarrhea-ish).   It more difficult to save weak kittens, especielly if not experienced.   Still you must be vigilant and fight on.  As far you have did it very nicely for a newbe.

What country are you in?  If in USA - what part?

Can you get goat milk?   The kmr powder you got is surely OK, as you got it from the vet. But goat milk is always an OK alternative, and raw fresh or frozen goat milk is even excellent.  Both now as emergency kmr, and later on, as supplement.

Some links about caring for orphans:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/hand-rearing-kittens

http://www.kitten-rescue.com/
http://www.kittenrescue.org/index.php/cat-care/kitten-care-handbook/

Click to expand...

I live in the Philippines. Local vet/shelter told me they'd have to be about three months old before giving shots. Their poo seems okay, the "toothpaste-like" consistency is present and they do look like brownish mustard with some semi solid pieces ._. 

Honestly, I was surprised, I thought they'd only pee since I haven't fed them any solid food ._.

Btw, when and why would I need the emergency KMR?

Yes, 80 cc per kit per day, assuming they are the average size for three weeks old.  If they'll drink more, they should.  More is always better.

They also need a box with higher walls.  Even a cardboard box would be a good idea.  They are too small to have free run of the house and need to be contained.  You can, of course, let them out for play time when they are supervised.

Oh. Okay. Thanks a lot! Seriously, I've felt like I was blind a day ago.

How do I play with them though? Right now I'm sitting down on the floor and they're on my leg.

Also, what should I do when they're meowing? 

Whenever they nibble on me, I just feed them a bit more. Should I?