If your cat has just given birth, she'll take care of the kittens. Provide plenty of food and a safe place so that she can look after her kittens. The mother will also teach the kittens to toilet and socialize. Since they won't be eating solid foods, she'll nurse them in the early weeks. In rare cases, the mother cat can't or won't care for her kittens (because of mastitis, a retained placenta, feeling overwhelmed, or she simply neglects them). Get the mother medical attention to treat physical problems and care for the kittens if she's not looking after them. While you won't need to feed the newborn kittens, you should keep their space clean. Frequently check the kittens space to see if you need to change any bedding. They can begin using the litter box around 4 weeks old. If you're caring for newborn kittens that have no mother cat around, first make sure that she is truly gone. Before picking up the kittens, keep a large distance and wait several hours for the mother to come back. If she doesn't or the kittens are in danger, carefully wrap them in towels and place them in carriers with good air circulation. Once the kittens are warm, bottle feed them kitten milk replacement formula every 3 hours.  You should also do this for any kittens that a mother cat is neglecting, even if she's still around. You'll also need to help the kittens use the toilet. Use a damp washcloth or piece of gauze and wipe it across their genitals until clean. Dry off the kittens. A caring mother cat reduces kitten's stress. If the mother isn't around or is neglecting them, you'll need to nurture the newborns. This is critical during the first few weeks of life, so if you can, try to give the kittens to someone who has a cat that is currently nursing. If you must socialize the kittens, start slowly and earn their trust. Gradually begin holding the kittens, introduce them to other people, and play with them as they get older. If you're worried about starting out, let the kittens become familiar with you while you feed them. This way, they'll associate the feelings of comfort and trust with you. The kittens will get antibodies from their mother's milk, but they will need vaccines after a few weeks. It's a good idea to vaccinate kittens before you give them away. Not only will it improve your chances of finding a home for them, but you'll also ensure they're getting important medical care. Follow this early schedule for newborn kittens:  8 weeks old: FVRCP Vaccine (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis Calicivirus and Panleukopenia), start heartworm, flea, and tick preventatives 12 weeks old: FVRCP booster, feline leukemia virus (FELV) vaccine 16 weeks old: FVRCP booster, FELV booster, rabies vaccine Remember that vaccine protocols may vary depending on the vaccine brand you use. You should go ahead and spay or neuter the kittens before you re-home them. This ensures it gets done and may increase the chances that someone wants to adopt them. If you're giving the kittens to friends or family, you could discuss this with them to see if they'd like to cover the cost.  Be sure to wait until the kittens are weaned or at least 2 months old before spaying or neutering.  Many states have low-costs spay/neuter clinics. Check with the vet or use an online database to find one near you. The kittens will benefit from staying with their mother for as long as possible. Their mother will nurse them, teach them to eliminate, and help them learn valuable socializing skills.  Laws about how early you can sell kittens vary, so check your state's laws. In general, try to wait until the kittens are weaned, about 8 weeks. Even if you're hand-raising the kittens (no mother is around), you should still wait 8 weeks before giving them away. This way, you ensure they're getting proper medical treatment and socialization.
أبق على القطط المولودة حديثًا مع أمهم. ارعَ القطط حديثة الولادة المهجورة. درب القطط اجتماعيًا. طعّم القطط. تعقيم أو إخصاء القطط. انتظر حتى يبلغ عمر القطط 8 أسابيع قبل التخلي عنهم.