In order to improve our services and the browsing experience, we inform you that we use cookies.
Accept
Refuse
Everything you need to know about feeding, temperature, hygiene and weaning a newborn kitten.
Finding an abandoned newborn kitten can be a challenging experience. Without their mother, these small felines depend entirely on human care to survive. Fortunately, with attention, dedication and some essential care, it is possible to help them grow strong and healthy.
Discover the essential care needed to ensure your kitten’s well-being from the first days of life.
1) Keeping the kitten warm: the priority during the first weeks
Newborn kittens are not yet able to regulate their body temperature. Therefore, they should remain in a comfortable, dry and warm place.
2) Feeding: never use cow’s milk
Cow’s milk is not suitable for kittens and can cause digestive problems. The best option is a milk replacer specifically designed for cats, administered with a suitable feeding bottle. During the first few weeks, meals should be frequent, always following the instructions of the veterinarian and the manufacturer.
3) Stimulating physiological needs
Until around three weeks of age, kittens are unable to urinate or defecate on their own. After each meal, you should carefully stimulate the genital and anal area with a compress or cotton wool moistened with warm water, imitating the care that would be provided by the mother.
4) Monitoring growth and health
A healthy kitten should gain weight daily, remain active between meals and have a warm and hydrated body. If the kitten refuses food, has diarrhoea, difficulty breathing or is excessively lethargic, it should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
5) When should weaning begin?
Between 3 and 4 weeks of age, the kitten begins to show an interest in solid food.
At this stage, you can begin the transition with wet food or previously moistened kitten food, gradually increasing the amount until weaning is completed at around 8 weeks.
It is important to choose a food developed specifically for this stage of growth, as kittens have much higher nutritional needs than adult cats. A diet rich in high-quality proteins, vitamins and minerals contributes to the development of muscles, bones, the immune system and cognitive function.
At petMaxi, you can find several food options for kittens, adapted to different growth needs, such as:
happyOne Kittens, a complete food for cats up to 12 months of age, enriched with BIOCOMPLEX to support growth and well-being.
happyOne Premium Kittens – Fresh Meat, formulated with fresh meat as the first ingredient, for premium nutrition during the growth stage.
happyOne Mediterraneum Cats & Kittens - Fresh Meat, grain-free, inspired by the Mediterranean diet. Contains DHA from algae, which contributes to brain and vision development.
Caring today to ensure a healthy future
Caring for an orphaned newborn kitten requires time, dedication and responsibility. With suitable nutrition, a safe environment and veterinary monitoring, you will be giving it the opportunity to grow up healthy and enjoy a long and happy life by your side.