Boundaries

Kittens need to be confined for their safety and comfort. When they are very young, choose a small carrier or box lined with soft blankets.

Older kittens can have a little larger area to run and play (say a small bathroon, or sectioned off room) Use plenty of terry cloth swim towels to absorb the occasional accidents.

An animal playpen is great!

Around 5 weeks, you can give them the run of a room. Make sure all hiding places are secured (under the bed, behind TV consoles, dressers, etc.)

Cardboard and a roll of clear packing tape will do the trick. Don't forget to hide your electrical cords, they love to chew.

Supplies

KMR - Kitten Milk Replacer (Preferably powder)

PetAg bottles and Miracle Nipples

3cc Syringes (for syringe feeding very young kittens)

Mini whisk (for mixing powdered milk)

Shaker Bottle

Stacked Double Stroller

Weaned Kittens - Royal Canin Baby Cat Wet Food, Royal Canin Baby cat Dry Food

Shallow food and water dishes

Digital Kitchen Scale - to weigh them so you know how much to feed them! Get a clear plastic bowl in which to place the babies.

Plenty of various-sized towels to cover floor in confinement area.

Large Underpads (unscented) to line sleeping area and under the litter box for easy cleanup of "accidents".

Cotton Squares (to wipe butts, stimulate elimination, wipe mouths and body)

Heating pads (use for the 1st 4 weeks or so, since the kittens cannot regulate their temperature). Make sure there is an area in their confinement they can move to if they get too hot. There are different kinds out there - some you microwave (Snuggle Safe), others are plug in. Be aware, even the plug in models have a switch off timer, so you will have to remember to reset them for the 4 week and unders.

Soft baby blankets for bedding

Clay litter for younger kittens.

World's Best Cat Litter IS THE BEST! Do not use til kittens can distinguish it from food. They WILL eat it! I love it, since the litter box is next to the commode - I can scoop the clumped peepees and poopies right in and flush!

Carrier (to take them for shots and exams)

Playpen

Dawn Dish Detergent (well-diluted) for bathing and storing and dipping flea comb - it paralyzes the fleas!

Household Bleach(diluted) and Mule Train Borax Powder for laundering towels and bedding it kills the fleas!

The following items may be needed - speak with your foster advisor:

Probiotic
Pedialyte
Nutrical
Dewormer
Nebulizer

Feeding Time

Wear scrubs

Smokers, wash mouths and faces; Drinkers, wash mouths and faces. You will be doing a lot of close work and kissing the babies.

No lotions on exposed skin; they will suckle and you don't want them ingesting your lotions and perfumes.

Stroke and pull fur to stimulate kitten while feeding.

Don't wear perfumes or lotions around the kittens. They can't see or hear when they are a few days old, but they can smell. Try not to have too strong scents around them.

I usually wear scrubs because kittens can be messy eaters. When they get a little stronger, they sometimes "fight" with you and the bottle and your arms and hands WILL be the casualties. I put on my "RAPTOR ARMS", old socks with the toes cut out and slipped over my forearms. If they are really feisty, I put on my Mickey Mouse wool gloves to protect my hands.

I was recently introduced to "miracle nipples" and the babies seem to like them better.

Perhaps the most important part of feeding time is the elimination prompting. Again, there are various Youtube demos out there (don't you love it - you can find out how to do ANYTHING on YouTube). I sing the "peepee song" while prompting them. (Make a peepee, make a peepee) This helps when we are switching to the litter box - they know EXACTLY what I want them to do. Be Warned - a lot of advice claims the babies poop 2-3 times per day. LIES! I have been FRANTIC through 10 kittens who have gone as long as 3 DAYS without a poopie. Sometimes, thinning the milk helps - if not, definitely consult a vet.

Keep canned 100% pumpkin on hand. A tiny bit in their formula helps with diarrhea and constipation. You can freeze the pumpkin in ice trays for easy use.

Miscellaneous Tips from The MAMA™

Use fragrance free laundry soap and dryer sheets.

I place a waterproof mattress liner OVER my made bed to soak up any "accidents".

Use a small amount of Dawn dish detergent, a soft microfiber cloth, and a flea comb to keep the babies clean. Place drying and wrapping towels in dryer on order to warm wet kittens. Dry them off, then wrap completely in warm towel and hold to your chest for awhile. Then place back in well warmed bed.

Make sure feeding bowls are not too tall or deep.

iPads are great entertainment! There are several free 'apps for cats' for feline pleasure. My kitties are playing JitterBug.

Cats love CLEAN (unused) cough medicine plastic dispensers, sticks or wands under a plastic shopping bag (cut off the handles!), laser lights (older cats only and do NOT point in their eyes), pipe cleaners (my childhood cats used to fetch and retrieve them) and plastic springs. I like to offer rabbit fur nestled in a small basket for play and sleeping. Catnip scented "meecy mice" are a favorite as well as wand toys with "tails".

Socialize your kitten by introducing it to friends and family, supervised of course, clean hands, etc.

Make a chart for the kittens, so you can keep track of important info.

If you have any tips you would like to share, or have a question, please contact me!