Caring for Orphaned Kittens

I'm sure some of you are familiar with my first instructable, How to Help your Cat When Giving Birth. My second is about when young kittens are abandoned, and have no mother to help them. My family fosters, so we have all sorts of experience with this. First time foster families may not have, and need help caring for the motherless kittens. Like the first, I hope this instrucable can help!

Getting motherless kittens means they were probably found on the street. They could be scared of the new environment, not to mention any tortures from before. When you have them in a carrier, set it down in a medium bedroom, and open the cage door so they can come out when they are ready. Keep other pets away, for they might scare the new family members. Sit quietly with them for a while, and give a little moral support. (Not that they can understand, but it might help! ;D) Always keep wires bundled up, so the kittens don't think it's a toy and bite it.

Before you even get the kittens, you should always have a space ready for them. In the corner of a bedroom is a nice spot. Keep the cage for them, but also prepare a small box with plenty of blankets, to keep them warm. Always have food and water available to the kittens. Until a vet looks them over to see if there are special food needs, use normal kitten food for a start.

After a few days, the kittens should be used to you and the rest of the family. You can also slowly start to introduce them to the other pets. Gates help with this. A small Gate to separate two rooms will work.

Also consider regular vet trips, so they can specify any special needs or any medicines.