Kittens, just like any other babies, grow up so fast. They remain kittens until they are about two years old, but it is the first three months of their lives that are the most critical in their development. Before a kitten is moved into a new home, it is imperative for their health and well being that they first reach the proper stage of development. The problem is: how do you know when a kitten is ready to be given to a new home? The following stages outline the early development in the life of a kitten, from birth to adoption.

Newborn Kittens
Tiny and utterly helpless, newborn kittens are completely dependent on their mother for everything. All they know is comfort, discomfort, and hunger, and they will cry if their needs aren’t being attended to.

Weeks One and Two
Newborn kittens will open their eyes when they are between seven and fourteen days old. All kittens are born with blue eyes, and, even though they are open, they are still mostly blind. They develop the ability to discern identity by smell, and begin to learn self defense by hissing at anyone who is not familiar to them.

Weeks Three and Four
Your kittens’ ears will open and they will develop the ability to hear. They will also begin walking on unsteady legs and exploring their immediate environment. This is also the age when their teeth will start coming in and they can be trained to use a litter box, but always with supervision.

Weeks Five and Six
Now your kittens will become even more entertaining because this is the stage when they learn how to play. They will wrestle and pounce the other kittens, and will begin batting at everything in sight. Care must be taken to ensure that they do not cause damage to your home or to each other. They will also start learning to groom themselves, and can start being weaned off of their mother’s milk and taught to eat soft, wet food from a bowl.

Weeks Seven and Eight
Now is the time to take your kittens to the vet for their first vaccinations. They are becoming very proficient at play, and will be mostly weaned from their mother.

Weeks Nine and Ten
You will want to begin exposing them more frequently to a greater variety of humans to help develop their social skills. They will need lots of play time and attention. Their eyes will settle into their adult color at this time, and they will be ready for the next series of vaccinations.

Week Twelve
This will be the most difficult time of all. Your kittens are weaned, litter box trained, and ready to be moved to their permanent homes. They still have a long way to go, but are old enough to thrive away from their mother.

From information on Himalayan kittens to how to find kittens for free, the author writes articles all about different aspects of cat care.

Author: Tim R Goodman

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Information on How To Take Care Of A Kitten and Kittens Hissing.

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Kitten Development : Stages of kitten development.

That same young kitten, always ready to play and challenge your other cats, other pets and even humans for dominance, all too quickly becomes your — equally lovable — fully mature cat. Each stage of kitten development is precious, enjoy each one…

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To try to solve the problem of your kitten hissing at you or at every other person who comes near him, you should first understand the reason behind this.

Hissing is an act of defense for the kitten. He may be afraid of a person or another animal so the kitten hisses to try to scare them away. As a kitten, he may feel vulnerable at all times and thus hisses when somebody approaches. He may as well still be adjusting to the new environment.

In some cases, this kind of aggressive behavior in a kitten can be caused by a physical condition. Find out if your kitten is suffering from pain or any illness. Have him examined by the veterinarian. If the kitten is not suffering from any medical condition, it is then up to you to solve the hissing problem.

At first, the kitten may be unsure of your approach. Reassure him by approaching him with care and giving him treats. When visitors come to your house and your kitten hisses at them, just ignore him until he has calmed down. Have your guests give your kitten some treats or a gentle pat.

Slowly try to gain your kitten’s trust. Provide him with a healthy and safe environment. Eventually, he will feel confident in your presence and trust you around him. Slowly introduce your kitten to more and more people so that he wouldn’t get scared when there is a crowd in your house, especially if you would want to hold a party at your place.

Spend time with your kitten and play with him using toys. Never let him think your hands are toys or he will bite or scratch them. The best way to let your kitten know you is to spend quality time with him.

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Author: Luke Blaise

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Information on How To Take Care Of A Kitten and Kittens Sneezing.

OK this is a new one on me – kitten behaviour

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If you have brought a new kitten into your family, then you will have to take ample precautions to ensure that it is healthy. One problem that may confound you is if your kitten is sneezing too much.

If you know the cause for the sneezing, you can treat it and thus, cure the issue. However, if you do not know the cause, then you are left perplexed and bewildered. Usually if a kitten is sneezing too much, it could be due an upper respiratory infection or having a foreign particle in the nasal passage. However, there are many different reasons to cause the sneezing.

Just like us, even kittens can have allergies. Your kitten may be allergic to dust, pollen, mold, some type of chemical, household cleaning liquids, aromatic candles, cigarette smoke or even dust from the kitty litter box. All these things can make a kitten sneeze and cough incessantly.

Another cause of sneezing could be a foreign particle in the respiratory tract. Kitten can, at times, swallow tiny objects they are playing with and these can get lodged in the respiratory tract. In order to remove the object, you will have to take your kitten to a vet.

However, the most common cause of sneezing is an infection of the upper respiratory tract. This infection can be due to a virus, bacterium or fungus. Along with the sneezing and coughing, your kitten will also suffer from fever, have a wet nose, have constant tearing of the eyes and also suffer from wheezing. If you notice one or all the symptoms in your kitty, rush it to a vet without any delay.

Although rare, dental problems like tooth decay or infection can cause sneezing and coughing when the infection reaches the nasal passage.

Author: Kum Martin

About Author:
Kum Martin is an online leading expert in animal training. He also offers top quality articles like:
Dog Disease Symptoms, Bird Evolutionary History

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Information on How To Take Care Of A Kitten and Kittens Behavior.

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When cats are upset or playful, they tend to exhibit that kitten behavior that can be annoying at best and injurious at worse; biting and scratching. It is a natural instinct to pounce and attack. A cat may act or appear aggressive for various reasons.

Cats by nature are predators so their playful aggression is sharpening those hunting skills. The predatory instinct makes them hunt and kill. Even though domestic cats don’t have to hunt since we feed them, they still need to practice hunting skills to fulfill their instinctual kitten behavior. You will often witness the long periods of waiting and stalking before the explosion of the attack. You may have been the prey object yourself when your cat has crept up to you while you were sleeping and attacked your foot or head. We often play with them letting the cat sit staring at our wiggling toe or finger, then pounce and attack. I had a Siamese kitten who loved lie in wait under my bed until my foot came close enough for her to reach out and grab it. Although she was playing to hone those innate hunting skills, her playful bites and scratches still hurt.

Fear and anger can also cause aggressive kitten behavior. Cats that have not benefited from socialization as kittens usually are more suspicious and fearful of humans. They enjoy being touched or picked up. They will show their fear of being handled by biting and scratching. Even socialized cats can become angry or frightened in situations they are unaccustomed to. Maybe they are afraid of a stranger picking them up. Some cats hate bath time and will literally fight tooth and nail to avoid getting in the water. Exposing them safely to new situations during socialization can help prevent aggression due to fear or anger. It is important to do this early on and on a regular basis since once a cat has been successful at warding off a threat with aggression, it will be more likely to act aggressively again.

A cat may show aggression to protect his/her territory. Again, this type of aggression is usually the result of poor socialization. Cats will fight furiously for their territory if it is encroached upon by someone or something that is not considered a normal visitor. When we brought home a new kitten, instead of introducing her to the two dogs right away, she had full access to the house on her own for a few days. Once the dogs were allowed back in, she just knew she had to fight for her life. Once she realized they were not a threat,that aggression subsided. Luckily, my dogs have raised several kittens and knew to just ignore her. A mother cat will put on a ferocious attack to protect her kittens.

The most confusing type of aggression involves a cat that lies quietly purring on the owner’s lap being petted, but suddenly explodes into a biting scratching fit. Although it seems incomprehensible, there’s a fine line between what the cat considers enjoyable petting and what turns out to be over stimulating, unwanted handling. He may enjoy a certain amount of petting, but then he reaches a certain threshold and strongly rejects any more handling with the aggression.

Sometimes health issues may cause a cat to suddenly act aggressive. Any sudden changes in behavior that you can’t explain with the previous scenarios should be reported your veterinarian. If the vet finds no health issues causing the aggression, then consider it a kitten behavior issue and work on more socialization skills.

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Author: Dean Forster

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Information on How To Take Care Of A Kitten and Taking Care of Kittens.

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Pets make us feel good, no doubt about that.

Their companionship keeps us from being lonely. By taking care of them, you will win their loyalty and affection.

If you are a cat lover and thinking of getting one as your house pet, I would suggest you get a kitten. Adult cats can be fine, but a kitten is usually much easier to train than an adult cat. Either way, you need to prepare your home for the arrival of the kitten, so here are a few tips about taking care of kittens to ensure them a comfortable welcome into your home.

The litter box area – If you plan to keep your kitten inside the house all the time, then you will need a litter scoop and a litter box where the kitten can take care of their business. Placing the kitten inside the litter box, allows him or her to be familiar where is the right area is to take care of business.

To Veterinarian (and other trips) – Taking care of your kitten, means regular visit to the veterinarian for check-ups and vaccinations. As such, you will need a pet carrier or a kennel where you can place them during those trips.

Diet and nutrition – Take care of your kitten by ensuring that he or she is eating a nutritious diet. Baby cats still need further development of their bodies and organs, so make sure to stock up on nutritious meals for your kitten. It is also important to consult your veterinarian on what kind of food you should provide for your kittens. Special formulas are available at most vet’s clinics.

The home environment – Caring for your kitten also means loving them and keeping them happy and well adjusted to their environment. Provide toys or scratching posts that he or she can use to occupy their time. Plus, this will also help prevent further scratches on your furniture.

Kittens are just babies – Kittens are attracted to something that makes sounds – for instance, a plastic bag. Since they play with their claws and mouth, plastic bags are a potential hazard to be ingested, so make sure to take care of your kitten by stashing them away. Clear up small items like paper clips, buttons, coins and many others to prevent choking as these items can be easily swallowed.

Check ups – Ensure that your kittens are parasite-free. Be sure to consult your veterinarian about de-worming and other general health topics. Make it a point to get your kitten regular check ups. By doing this, your vet will have a record and a history of your cat and it will be much easier to be proactive in the event of any health related issues.

Cats are great low maintenance companions that you can enjoy for years just by following a few simple lifestyle guidelines.

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Author: Letha Lashley

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Informatino on How To Take Care Of A Kitten and Feeding A Kitten.

Taking Care Of New Born Kittens – How To Take Care Of New Born Kittens

Newborn kittens are soft, cuddly, loveable and make valuable pets. In fact there are very few things more captivating than newborn kittens!

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As with all young animals, good nutrition in kittens is crucial for health, growth and establishing an effective immune system. Of course, due to the extremely rapid growth rate of young cats, they need a different diet from that of adult cats.

Nursing Kittens

For the first several weeks, kittens will feed from Mother. While lactating, an adult cat will need slightly more food and water, but she should be able to feed her young without any further assistance. Typically, it is recommended that lactating cats be given a kitten food, as it contains more calories than an adult cat food.

If, however, Mother is not producing enough milk for the whole litter, or if you are raising orphaned kittens, you will need to hand rear. A healthy kitten will double its weight in the first two weeks, if it fails do to do so, you should seek the help of a veterinarian.

4-5 Weeks Old

Once kittens have reached one month, they should begin to show an interest in solid food in an attempt to imitate their mother. At this stage, it is advisable to give them small amounts of kitten food mixed with kitten milk replacement. When mixing you should create something that is similar consistency to baby food. This should be offered to the kittens approximately four times a day. However, it is a good idea to keep an eye on them and remove the bowl as soon as they have finished eating to reduce the amount of mess that they make with the food.

To wean the kittens, you should gradually reduce the amount of milk replacement that is being mixed with the kitten food. By 8 weeks of age, the kittens should be able to eat solid food. Additionally, during this time, the amount of kitten food offered to the mother can be reduced week-by-week, until she is back on adult food.

After Weaning

After weaning, the kittens should be fed on a specifically formulated kitten food, preferably a high quality brand, that contains meat, poultry or fish. You should not feed a kitten adult cat food until it is at least one year old. Remember, cheap brands are often nutritionally deficient, so ensure that you read the labels before selecting a kitten food. If you’re in any doubt over what to feed your kittens, ask the advice of a veterinarian.

It is always wise to avoid a diet of exclusively dry food, as this can cause life-threatening dehydration. Wet food alone or a mixture of dry and wet food is preferable. Always ensure that your kittens have access to clean, fresh water. Ideally, the water bowl should be placed in a different location from the food, as cats do not like eating and drinking in the same place.

Changing Foods

Cats can be terribly fussy, so if you plan to change your kitten’s food or graduate to adult food, it is best to do so gradually. As with weaning, introduce tiny portions of the new food in addition to the familiar meal. Some owners find it helpful to blend the two foods together and gradually decrease the amount of the old food. Remember, sudden changes can cause your kittens to go of their food or give them digestive problems.

Milk

It is not advisable to feed a kitten any kind of milk after it has been weaned. Like all animals, after weaning, the kitten loses the ability to digest lactose. Therefore, milk can cause severe stomach upsets, which will be unpleasant for the cat and you.

Starting kittens with a healthy diet is crucial to their future health and longevity. Therefore, it is wise to monitor your kittens carefully in the first few weeks to ensure that they are gaining weight and growing at the appropriate rate. If, at any point, problems arise, visit your veterinarian immediately.

Author: Samantha Markham

Samantha Markham is a professional freelance writer. She is currently composing articles for Remmeer.com, a high quality online supplier of pet products, including gift ideas for pet owners, such as gifts for the pet lover and pet lover photo frames.

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Information on How To Take Care Of A Kitten and Raising Kitten.

top general pets information – Feeding your kitten

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Whether you are adopting a new kitten as a pet or your pet cat is waiting to give birth to kittens, the feeling you have can be a mixture of excitement and anxiety. On one hand, raising kittens can be fun and enjoyable, but on the other hand, it may not be as easy as it sounds without prior knowledge of how to take care of them. Being a responsible owner, you should at the very least acquire the basic knowledge of how to raise kittens so that they can grow up healthily.

You are not an expert so it is difficult for you to tell when exactly your cat is giving birth, so chances are your feline would already be nursing her newborn kittens before you even realized that it has given birth. Move your cat and the newborn kittens to somewhere quieter and cleaner as the old den would have become dirty. Hygiene is important for the kittens. Make sure you give your cat and the kittens a darkened den by covering a cloth over the box as mother cats like darker place to nurse their kittens. On top of that, provide them with a very clean bedding to make the den as comfortable as possible so as the mother cat can take good care of its kittens.

Your pet cat will be accompanying its kittens for the first week as they are still greatly in need of warmth and milk, so there are actually less time for them to socialize. When it comes to the second week only will their need for warmth start to reduce. And it is during this time that the mother cat will begin to leave its kittens for a longer time. You may take a look into the den and if you see the kittens huddle together and sleeping soundly, don’t be alarmed for they are just trying to keep themselves warm.

Like babies, kittens spent a lot of time slumbering, so don’t worry if you see them sleeping too much. Keep an eye on them for these two weeks as their immune systems have not fully developed yet. A kitten which is constantly crying might required your attention immediately. The crying kittens may either be hungry or sick. Consult your vet at once if necessary because sickness and extreme hunger can be life threatening.

Usually a kitten will have its eyes opened in the first week or latest the second week. Any time later than that, you need to consult your vet. A kitten’s eyes may be slightly infected at times and the infections may prevent its eyes from opening. Gently dab the kitten’s eyes with a piece of warm and damp cotton wool and this should do the trick. If the eyes of the kitten are still closely shut, get your vet’s help immediately to avoid the infections from infecting the eyeballs which may cause blindness.

If everything is going fine, you do not have to do much during the first four weeks. Be rest assured that the kittens are under good care by their mother. It is the nature of a mother cat to provide great care for its young.

When your kittens are one month old, they should be starting frolicking around and would prefer to be fed with solid food. Kitten must be fed with food appropriate for them to ensure proper nutrition. Kittens which are not correctly fed will not grow up healthily due to the lack of nutrition. You can get the appropriate kitten’s food from any pet shop, but if you are still unsure, ask for a recommendation from your vet.

The first vaccinations should be by the age of two months. The vet will be able to advise you on the necessary shots to be given and when they should be given. The above mentioned guidelines should be able to show you the required areas you must not overlook. Kittens need more attention than adults cat since they are at the growing stage. By the third month, your kittens will become more independent and can take care of themselves.

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Information on How To Take Care Of A Kitten and Kitten Diseases.

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There are many cat and kitten diseases, far too numerous for me to go into at this time, plus the fact I am not too knowledgeable in that area. For now I am going to touch upon some of the more common illnesses your cats may face and ones I am more familiar with.

Pneumonitis: is a cat disease that takes on the symptoms of a human’s common cold. It is caused by a virus giving the kitty a runny nose and eyes, along with sneezing and drooling.

It is not a fatal disease, but one that is very uncomfortable for the cat and its caregiver. It is not fatal and can last up to 6 weeks or more. Your vet will prescribe an antihistamine and some antibiotics along with some eye ointment. There is a vaccine for it, however it only lasts for six months and is generally only given if there is a large outbreak in the area where you are.

Urinary Infections: Cats like their human caregivers can suffer from urinary infections, cystitis and even kidney stones. All of which can be very painful.

The symptoms of a urinary infection follow along the same lines as it does for us. Straining to go to the bathroom and nothing happens, blood in the urine when able to urinate.

If your cat starts vomiting and its tummy is bloated and sensitive to your touch that is a sign of a urinary blockage and you need to call your vet immediately.

To be serious for a moment, anytime you notice any sign that your cat is having a problem going to the bathroom call your vet at once.

Swollen or Infected Anal Glands: If you see your cat sliding along your tile floor it can be a sign of one or two things. It might be a symptom of tapeworms or it could be swollen or infected anal glands. These glands are located on either side of the anus on the inside. If the glands are swollen, they need to be emptied.

My suggestion is take your kitty to your vet to have this done. If you are brave, not faint of heart and can stand the smell you can do it, however, I really don’t suggest it.

Constipation: This seems to be another problem cats and humans share. A poor diet, little or no exercise, and hairballs can cause constipation in your cat.

If you notice that your cat has not had a bowel movement for a few days, is not eating like it normally does and its tummy is bloated it may be constipated. A quick call to the vet can remedy that.

Your vet may suggest an over the counter remedy you can try or you may have to bring kitty in to see him/her.

It is not a matter of life or death, just a matter of getting kitty more comfortable and getting rid of stuff inside it.

Diarrhea: Diarrhea is the opposite of constipation, it can also be caused by a poor diet, parasites, a change in routine that has upset the cat or some intestinal virus.

Loose stools or a soft bowel movement is not really a sign of diarrhea (even though we humans often consider it that, when it happens to us.) Diarrhea in a cat is really a watery stool or one that is watery and bloody. If blood should appear do not hesitate to take your kitty to the vet, it could be a serious problem.

Feeding your cat some cooked rice mixed with a little of its food or some cottage cheese can sometime control a watery stool.

Think of what you have been feeding your cat. Have you changed its diet to something new? Have you given the cat a special treat? Any of these may be the cause of the problem. If it persists for more than two days call your vet.

Vomiting: My Boots will vomit if he eats too much dry food at one time. Invariably he will do this at night and will find a spot to vomit where I will unknowingly step in it barefoot when I get up at night.

As a general rule cats do not need an excuse to vomit and most of the time it is not anything to worry about. You just clean up the mess. Hairballs seem to be the biggest cause, which is why brushing your cat is a worthwhile endeavor. Feeding your cat once a week a "hairball prevention treat" is a good idea.

However, if you cat vomits consistently it could be worms, poisoning, or an internal problem and your vet should check the cat over. If you suspect poison, rush your cat to the vet at once.

Ear Mites: Ear mites are pesky little crawly things that can get into your cat’s ears and cause all kinds of problems. If nothing else they will drive your poor cat crazy as they itch and will cause kitty to dig at its ears.

There are products you can buy at the pet store to use in your cat’s ears (that do not always work), but I recommend that before you attempt to play doctor, you call your vet and take kitty in to be certain that is what the problem is.

Feline Diabetes: Feline diabetes seems to be a common ailment among some cats. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that controls the flow of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body.

Should the insulin be deficient, the cat’s body starts to break down the fat and protein that has been stored, in order for it to be used as an alternative energy source.

Symptoms to be on the alert for are: large appetite, eating more, but losing weight, excessive thirst, and frequent urination.

Diabetes is usually found in older obese cats, males are more prone to it than females. If diabetes is not treated it will definitely shorten your cat’s life. Your vet will determine the type of treatment, the changes necessary in the cat’s diet and the procedure to follow to help your cat lose weight.

Roundworms and hookworms: A mother cat can transmit these critters to a kitten even if the mother has been wormed. Roundworms are long skinny (spaghetti like) worms that can be seen if your kitten vomits or you can see them in the kitten’s feces.

Older cats can get them from infected soil. A trip to the vet is necessary to treat these. As these worms can be transmitted to humans.

Make certain you keep the children’s sandbox covered, so neighborhood cats will not use it for potty calls. As an added precaution always have the children wash their hands when they come in from playing in the dirt.

Tapeworms: Tapeworms look like little grains of rice and cannot be detected by a fecal examination. They can be noticed on your cat’s hair by its tail or even on a carpet.

Tapeworms are not harmful to children or adults and your vet will prescribe a worm medicine for your cat. There are medicines you can buy over the counter, however I am told they do not do a good job and cats do not like the taste. You need to have a medicine your cat will like, cause feeding a cat anything that is distasteful is not fun.

Ringworm: Ringworm is a nasty contagious skin infection that is caused by a fungus. It can be airborne or found in the soil.

It can be transmitted to humans and is a pain to get rid of. If you suspect that your cat has come into contact with the fungus, you will notice it first around your cat’s face, ears, and paws. It is circular in appearance and needs to be treated at once by your vet.

It can spread like wildfire and you need to be careful in handling your pet. Definitely keep the children away from the cat.

Hairballs: Hairballs are a part of life when you have a cat. Cats groom themselves and as a result manage to swallow some of their hair.

If your cat has a hairball that it is trying to get rid of, you will certainly know it by the sounds it will make. My Boots would retch, gag and finally vomit, until I realized the problem, I truly thought he was about to die. My solution has been to feed him "Whiskas Temptations" for hairballs. He loves the treat and so far I have not had to go through all those horrible sounds again.

There are other hairball treatments on the market that work well too, like "Petromalt" or "Laxatone."

Longhaired cats really need to be brushed daily to help prevent this problem. If your cat vomits more than once a week, you more than likely need to talk to your vet, as it may not be a hairball problem.

I have tried in these few pages to touch upon a few of the more common cat diseases and cat problems. It is very important that you stay in contact with your vet or other cat health care provider in order to discuss any problems you may have with your cat.

Cats as a general rule are rather healthy. It is very important that you start your kitten off on the right foot with all the necessary shots and that you follow the advice of your vet on general cat care. Feeding a high quality cat food, whether it is a dry food or a wet food is very important in keeping your cat healthy. As the old saying goes "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" and that holds true when raising a kitten into a cat.

If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com

Author: Audrey Frederick

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Audrey_Frederick

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Many people have questions about their cat’s health and what to look out for with regard to cat health issues. If your cat is vomiting you need to find out what the problem is.

Every cat owner will have to clean up cat vomit at some stage and you need to investigate just why your cat is vomiting. Not the most pleasant of subjects I know, but it is one that needs addressing. One possible reason for cats to vomit is hairballs lodged in their throat. If your cat seems to cough often then suddenly vomits up the last meal, it could be that a hairball or even strands of fur have been caught when grooming. Usually the cat will only vomit once as the offending item has been expelled.

If your cat keeps vomiting, then it is wise to investigate further. Have you changed pet foods? Could it be a reaction to that? Have you just put on a flea collar? This can cause nausea for a day or two. Make sure that no-one has put out any poisons to catch rats or mice. If your cat has access to outdoors, are there any snail pellets around, or has the garden been sprayed to eliminate weeds. If you are able to answer yes to any of these questions, a trip, or at least a phone call, to the vet will be necessary. Your vet may be able to suggest treatment that you can carry out at home. If you are unsure about any of the above, I would advise taking your cat to the vet immediately.

If your cat has been vomiting, I suggest you stop feeding for 24 hours, just as you would with children. You cat’s stomach will be sore and inflamed and will need to recover. Give your cat small amounts of water for 24 hours then introduce some bland foods such as cooked white rice or similar. The following day mix some bland food with a little cat food to see how they tolerate it. Don’t give your cat milk as this will cause further vomiting. Keep an eye on how your cat looks and how well it is tolerating the food before going back to normal feeding.

Understanding your cat and being aware of what is happening with it will help you keep it in top condition and health. By forming a bond with your cat early, not only will you notice when something is wrong, your cat will come to you for help.

A number of years ago my cat Tikki was due to give birth and decided to snuggle into bed with me one night. I woke the next morning feeling wet as her waters had broken. She lay between by stomach and bent legs and gave birth to five beautiful kittens. I had been paying special attention to her when she was pregnant and she understood that being with me was safe. I had also helped her with previous births when she was in trouble.

When she was due to give birth for her final litter she disappeared for a day. This didn’t worry me unduly as I was sure she was nesting and would let me know when she was ready. When I went for my morning cup of coffee the next day, she was lying in the entrance to the kitchen, in great distress. I rang the vet and he arranged to me me at his surgery immediately. Apparently her uterus had twisted around completely, cutting off all food and nutrients to the kittens which had died and were therefore poisoning her. She was saved but unfortunately none of the kittens made it. The point of this story is that if your cat knows she can trust you and that you will help her, she will let you know when there is a problem, just as Tikki did.

It doesn’t have to be as drastic as what happened with Tikki. Other cat health symptoms can include being off her food, dull eyes, lethargy, vomiting, problems with using the litter box, or suddenly lashing out when stroked or petted.

It is important for you to know what is wrong as soon as possible. Questions you need to ask yourself must include how long has she been ill and is a trip to the vet necessary.

Try to serve your cat’s food at room temperature. Food taken straight from the fridge can also cause your cat to vomit. If time is short or you have forgotten, just give it a few seconds in the microwave to bring it back to room temperature.

Remember, cats will eat grass to induce vomiting, often to help them get rid of fur that has lodged when they are grooming. Grooming your cat regularly can help eliminate hairballs.

Cat care and cats health go hand in hand. Caring for your cat will make you more aware of any health problems as they arise. This will increase the bond between you and give you a much richer relationship. Healthy cats are likely to live longer as well, another added bonus.

Author: Kathy Robinson

Kathy Robinson has been writing articles on cat problems and the care of cats on her website
http://www.CatProblemsResolved.com for a number of years. Why not download your free copy of The Joy of Owning and Caring for a Cat when you sign up for her free Cat Care Newsletter at http://www.catproblemsresolved.com/660

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Robinson

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Over the last 15 years, I have raised nine orphaned kittens. Four of them were two weeks old when their mother was killed; three others were only hours old when their mother died; two more kittens fell out of the nest in our barn when they were only a day old.

Raising motherless kittens is not a difficult process, but it does require patience, time and plenty of TLC.

Here are some tips to help you raise your orphaned kittens:

1. Make a nest.

Normally, a mother cat spends many hours a day in the nest with her kittens, which helps her babies stay warm. Keeping the kittens warm is important because if they’re not warm enough, they won’t want to eat, and in fact, all of their bodily functions will slow down.

To keep your orphaned kittens warm, make a nest in a small box and line it with towels or old t-shirts or sweatshirts to help the babies conserve their body heat. Put a towel over the box to keep out the light. Female cats choose nests that are dark. If you don’t have a heat lamp, use a small 40-watt desk lamp and place it several feet above the box to help keep the kittens warm.

If the box is big enough, you can also use a jug or another large container filled with hot water to keep the babies warm. Place the jug in the box and then make a nest with towels beside it. Refill the jug when it cools off. You can use a quart jar as a "hot water bottle" too except that a quart jar cools off very quickly.

2. Use an eyedropper or a syringe to feed the kittens.

The first time I raised orphaned kittens, I discovered that the small nursing bottles available at vet clinics were too big. The kittens couldn’t get their mouths around the nipples. So, at first, for newborn kittens, I used an eyedropper. As the kittens grew bigger, a syringe worked very well, the kind of syringe for giving injections (without the needle of course!). I started out with the 3 cc size and used larger syringes when the kittens grew bigger. The tip of a syringe is about the size of a cat’s nipple, and my kittens eventually sucked hard enough on the end of the syringe to draw the plunger down by themselves. Check with your vet clinic to see if any used syringes are available or to see if you can buy new syringes from the clinic.

A word of caution: Whether you’re feeding with an eyedropper or a syringe, be careful to give only a few drops at a time. My veterinarian told me that if the kittens were given too much formula at once (more than they could swallow), they might inhale it. Inhaling formula will make your kittens much more susceptible to pneumonia.

Along the way, I have also discovered that it is best to feed the kittens as much as they want to eat. They will settle down and sleep until the next feeding if they are getting enough to eat. Tiny kittens will start out taking maybe 1 CC at a time. As they grow bigger, they will eat around 12 CCs at a time (usually in several different helpings).

Kittens learn very quickly that food comes from the syringe you hold in your hand. If you are having trouble getting them to take the formula from the syringe, let nuzzle in the palm of your hand for a few seconds or let them suck on your fingers. Then introduce the syringe and let them suck on it while you very slowly press the plunger down.

3. Feed the kittens KMR or kitty formula that you have mixed yourself.

KMR, the canned cat milk replacer, is available at most vet clinics in either a premixed or dry form. It is specifically formulated for kittens to provide all the nutrients they need. Follow the directions on the label. The amount to feed is determined by body weight. My newborn kittens weighed three ounces each, and for the first several days, they only needed a half an eyedropper of KMR at a time.

My vet clinic also gave me a recipe for "kitten formula." After the first can of KMR, this is what all of my kittens have been raised on.

Here is the recipe for Kitten Formula

1 cup whole milk

1 tablespoon white corn syrup

1 egg yolk

a pinch of salt

Mix in a blender and mix it up far enough in advance so the bubbles will have time to dissipate.

Warm over medium heat. Heat the formula so it feels slightly warm to the touch. All of my kittens have refused to swallow the formula if it was too cold or too warm. The same was true for KMR.

4. Feed your kittens on a regular schedule three times a day.

Mother cats nurse their kittens every couple of hours. The veterinarian I consulted cautioned me not to feed them that often. "They won’t eat well and you’ll get frustrated and they’ll get frustrated and it will be harder on everybody," he said. He was right. Feeding the kittens three times per day worked out very well.

5. Groom your kittens with a warm, wet washcloth and help them to empty their bladders and their bowels.

Young kittens are unable to empty their bladders or move their bowels, so you’ll have to help them. Use a warm, wet washcloth and wipe under their tails until they have emptied their bladders and/or moved their bowels. Be prepared to use as many as four washcloths for each kitten. If they only have to empty their bladders, you won’t need that many. If they have to empty their bowels, look out — it could get messy! Smaller washcloths that you can wring out with one hand while you hold onto a squirming kitten with the other work best. I put the washcloths in a pail of warm water and put the pail where I can reach it easily.

Young kittens also do not know how to groom themselves, and after a day or two of eating kitten formula, they become sticky from the formula that inevitably dribbles down their chins. From time to time, use a warm, wet washcloth to wipe off the formula, but be careful not to get the kittens TOO wet or it will be hard for them to stay warm.

6. Provide a litter pan when they’re four weeks old.

Cats have a strong instinct to use material that they can scratch around in when they have to empty their bladders and move their bowels. By the time the kittens are four weeks old, they will already be thinking in this direction and providing them with a litter pan will help them get the idea. You might still have to assist them with a washcloth for a while, but it won’t be long before they are using the litter pan.

Kitty litter in an aluminum pie plate works well to start out. As the kittens grow bigger, use a bigger container for a litter box.

7. Start feeding solid food when the kittens are about six weeks old.

Kittens that are raised by their mothers probably will start eating sooner than six weeks, but you will be able to provide more milk than their mothers would have available.

When your kittens have gotten their teeth, you can begin feeding them solid food. If you want to feed dry food, a good quality kitten chow will work fine. Kitten chow has all of the nutrients and protein that they need to keep growing. Kitten chow also is made in tiny kitten-bite-sized pieces. To tempt their appetites and to give them a "treat," you can also try a little canned kitty food. Be sure to provide fresh water for your kittens to drink, as well. And until the kittens are eating solid food regularly, supplement their caloric intake with kitten formula. By this time, you won’t have to feed them with a syringe. You can put the formula into a small saucer, and once they discover where it is and what it is, they will drink by themselves.

8. Be prepared to be surprised and amazed.

Kittens grow very quickly, and on some days, you will think they are growing right before your very eyes.

Kittens get their eyes open when they’re about 10 days old.

They will start purring when they are as young as 6 days old.

Kittens will start other "kitty behaviors" such as shaking their heads, attempting to groom and lifting a hind food to scratch behind their ears when they are between two to three weeks old.

Young kittens will sometimes get the hiccups (!) while you are feeding them.

Young kittens are like baby humans, in a way. Their days consist of eating, sleeping and emptying their bowels and bladders. After the kittens have gotten enough to eat and have had their bodily functions taken care of, when you put them back in the "nest," they will sleep or rest quietly until you are ready to feed them again. If they are restless and crying and meowing, they might need a little more to eat, or they might have to empty their bladders or move their bowels, or they might feel cold.

As the kittens grow older, they will be awake for longer periods of time and will eventually start playing with each other.

By the time the kittens are four weeks old, you will most likely have to move them into a bigger box, if not sooner, because the first one will be too small and they will know how to get out on their own!

If you have any questions concerning the raising of orphaned kittens, you can e-mail me at bigpines@ruralroute2.com

*************

© 2004 LeAnn R. Ralph

About The Author

LeAnn R. Ralph is the author of the books: *Christmas in Dairyland (True Stories from a Wisconsin Farm)* (trade paperback) and *Preserve Your Family History (A Step-by-Step Guide for Writing Oral Histories)* (e-book; 66 pages). To read sample chapters and to sign up for the FREE! monthly newsletter, Rural Route 2 News & Updates, visit — http://ruralroute2.com

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