Baby kittens are cute, but when you meet them on the street abandoned or when their mother rejects them, if no one takes care of them, they will most likely not get ahead. It is very sad, but the reality is that: if they are less than two months old they do not know how to look for food, because they will barely be able to walk well.
Therefore, if you have found one, I will tell you how to care for a one month old cat so that, in this way, it can continue to grow without problems.
What does a one-month-old kitten need?
A feline of such a young age basically needs the following:
- Wet food for kittensAlthough this age already has baby teeth, they are still growing. For this reason, it is important that they be given a soft meal without cereals, well minced, that they can chew without difficulty. As at this age he eats a lot, the ideal is to always have a full feeder for him, or to feed him every three or four hours.
- Water: the normal thing is that at first you don't like it too much, but you should gradually get used to the water. To do this, you must add a little to your food.
- A safe, comfortable and warm place: You spend about 20 hours a day sleeping, so it is convenient that your bed is in a room where there are no drafts and is very comfortable.
Tips for it to grow well
The kitten, in addition to food, water and a bed, he is going to ask for a lot of love and company. It is very, very important that we spend as much time as possible with him, that we hold him in our arms, caress him and play with him, for example with a rope. It is true that at this age he still does not run too much, but his legs begin to strengthen enough so that the furry can begin to live as a puppy.
In addition, it is convenient that we take him to the vet the first day. Why? Because we must make sure that he is in good health. It is very normal for stray cats to have intestinal parasites, and for mothers to transmit them to their children. If the kitten is not dewormed we will immediately see that he eats too much, eagerly and has a very swollen belly. To improve, we must give Telmin Unidia syrup for five days (or another that the professional tells us).
Thus, our little one can grow strong and healthy.
What to do with an abandoned one-month-old cat
Perhaps you have been fortunate to find a kitten a month old or less in the street, you have heard her cry from your home and you have not been able to avoid looking for her to see if she needs help. You have done well, because with your actions you could even save his life.
Do you think you could have discovered an abandoned kitten or a litter of kittens? Well, most of the time mommy cat is not too far away and has not actually abandoned her babies. Here are some suggestions on what your next step should be.
Don't disturb the kittens
It is best to first observe from a distance for a few hours to determine if the mother is returning to her shelter. The mother cat may be looking for food, taking a break, or even hiding from you.
If you see kittens and not the mother, wait a few hours before trying to rescue them. Kittens have a better chance of surviving with their mother. If the mother returns, the best thing you can do is put fresh cat food and water on her. It is better not to keep checking them more than once a day so as not to disturb them.
When the mother returns with her one-month-old kittens
If possible, take the mother and the kittens indoors if you think they might be in danger outside.
One month old kittens need a nice area for themselves with a bed, clean litter box, fresh water, and cat food. Kittens can be weaned when they start eating solid foods at around 4-6 weeks of age.. But first offer wet food mixed with water at 4 weeks.
When the kittens are fully weaned from the mother, the mother must be spayed and then adopted or returned outside. Kittens should be healthy and adopted around 8-10 weeks of age. Handle kittens frequently after 5 weeks of age to help with socialization. See a vet immediately if the kittens or the mom show signs of illness, injury, or distress.
What if the mother does not come back
If you have found a litter of kittens less than a month or a month old and their mother does not come back, what can you do? It leaves the family outside and provides food, water and shelter. The mother will probably move the kittens, don't worry.
If you know this is a safe place with a stable source of food, you will come back to them. If you can commit, kittens should be removed from their mother when they can eat alone (approximately 4 to 5 weeks old). When you bring them home, handle them often to get them used to human socialization.
Kittens should be adopted around 8-10 weeks of age, as we discussed above. But if the mother does not return, you will have to be "their adoptive mother" and feed them every two hours until they know how to feed themselves. If you can't encourage and socialize kittens, leave them out! Do not socialize a kitten that you cannot later stay in your home or adopt. They will learn survival skills from their mother that will give them the best chance of surviving outdoors like a wild cat, in case the mother comes back sooner or later.
The kittens have been abandoned
It can also happen that cats have been abandoned by their mother. In this case, it is important that you take into account some aspects. The kittens seem to be abandoned What can you do to help?
Once you remove the babies from the danger zone on the street, you must keep them at a suitable body temperature. In this case, you can use a box with clean, soft towels and warming bottles. Create a shelter inside a box and place the kittens inside. Keep them away from drafts and moisture.
They need a room that stays warm all the time. Unweaned kittens need 24-hour care and follow-up. Kittens should be bottle-fed with a milk replacer every 2-3 hours (even overnight) and kept warm and dry. What's more:
- 1 to 4 weeks of age: must be bottle-fed.
- 5 weeks and more- Canned food can be offered for baby cats only, but may need to be bottle fed. Canned food should be creamy in texture with no chunky food or large pieces. Try to find the best quality canned kitten food at the pet store.
If you, a neighbor, friend, or relative can take on this responsibility, you can give these abandoned kitties a chance! If your schedule or responsibilities do not allow it, there may be resources in the community to help you, such as associations that protect cats and find them a home. Be aware that most local shelters do not have the staff to feed the kittens throughout the day and the mortality rates for these kittens are very high. But with your help you could save their lives.
Feeding for Abandoned One-Month-Old Babies
Don't feed them cow's milk, soy or rice. Milk replacement (kitten formula) and can be purchased at pet stores. Follow the instructions on the package for cleaning and preparing the bottles and the proper mixing ratio for milk replacement.
Do not heat the liquid directly, rather place the bottle in a pot of hot water to heat it and test on your own wrist. Wash your hands before and after handling the formula and feeding the kittens.
Do not feed the kittens on their backs (face up). Place them face down and gently lift your chin. Rub the liner of the bottle back and forth across the lips and gums until the kitten begins to taste the formula and is well hooked on taking it.
Remember to tilt the bottle up so the kitten doesn't suck in air. A dropper may be necessary for the first week or two. Every third feeding, offer a little water in the bottle to start. Kittens will generally stop suckling when they are full. Don't feed too fast or force them. Kittens that eat formula need to burp. This is done by holding them face down and placing them on your lap or on your shoulder and then gently stroking their backs.
If you have more questions about feeding one-month-old kittens, talk to your vet so that the little ones are well cared for at all times.
I have adopted a one-month-old cat, I live in an apartment in a 5th order with a balcony without the possibility of jumping to another balcony or window.- I am afraid of letting it walk on the balcony for fear that it will jump, (although I would do it in a vacuum) There are 15 meters to the ground floor.- She is not neutered yet, I wait until she is 4 months to do it.- On the ground floor there are cats that meow, is that dangerous to jump ??????
Hi carlos.
Put a net, just in case. It is worth very little (in Spain you can find them for 4 euros) and they save lives.
A greeting.
My family travels two or three times a year. What can we do with the cat, and should we keep it?
Hello Julia.
The decision to stay with the cat or not can only be made by you. Now, the ideal is that the animal is always in the same place, since cats in general do not like changes.
regards