Could you save an orphaned kitten's life?

It is a sad fact that many newborn kittens face life without their mother, either through abandonment or by being orphaned. And as tragic as this fact is, it also means that you may be presented with a pressing problem.

So what should you do if you find yourself needing to be a surrogate mother to a small and fragile orphaned kitten?

Firstly, you need to know that, with a little guidance, it is fairly straightforward to care for your orphaned or abandoned kitten successfully. The most burdensome aspect of the whole process is the amount of time you will need to invest in the care of this newborn bundle of fur.

Secondly, you will need to equip yourself with seven essential household items that will be required to help you with your task.

• A suitably sized cardboard box.
• A hot water bottle.
• Nesting material.
• An eye dropper.
• 2ml hypodermic syringe fitted with 5cm plastic tubing.
• Baby bottle sterilizing solution.
• An old towel

These seven essentials will enable you to provide your orphaned kitten with the basics of life -- warmth and nourishment.

Newborn kittens will usually get all the warmth they need from their mother's body and it is vitally important to ensure that your orphan doesn't become chilled. If you are not careful, this can happen easily and the best way of maintaining the necessary temperature required is to place a suitably sized cardboard box close to a heat source.

This heat source is likely to be a radiator but by placing a hot water bottle under one corner of the box, your orphaned kitten will have the choice of being able to snuggle down into its warmed bedding or move to another, cooler part of its box should it become too warm.

When selecting a suitable a nursery box, make sure that your kitten is unable to climb out of it unaided. If your kitten manages to escape its warm home it will rapidly become chilled once outside its secure environment.

Be certain to check that the box is big enough for the kitten to move around in freely with enough room to play in, whilst remaining enclosed enough to provide security and retain sufficient warmth. Partially covering the box with an old towel will help retain heat.

As it will be your responsibility to provide all the services of a mother cat, you will be responsible for cleaning your orphaned kitten's bedding when it becomes soiled. Old newspaper is ideal for use as bedding material as it can simply be removed and disposed of as necessary.

Once you have made sure that your kitten's warmth and security have been adequately provided for you will need to address the problem of feeding.

Here, patience and persistence are what is required as you learn to effectively administer each milk feed via an eye dropper or, as your kitten grows, a hypodermic syringe fitted with an appropriately sized tube attached in place of a needle.

Your vet will be able to supply you with the kitten formula milk that you will need and will also be able to supply you with the equipment necessary to administer it with. Alternatively, good pet stores will sell specialist feeding bottles specifically designed for use with orphaned or abandoned kittens. Always make sure that the feeding equipment is sterilized after each use, just as you would for a baby's feeding bottle.

Using an old towel, place it and your kitten on your lap or, if you find it easier, on a firm surface. Carefully hold the kitten around the back of its head to steady it and gently introduce a couple of drops of milk into the kitten's mouth. With a little luck and much patience, your orphaned kitten will begin to suckle.

Follow your vet's advice on the amount of formula to feed your kitten and always remain alert to the general health of your small orphan. If you are at all worried or concerned about any aspect of your kitten's health don't hesitate to call in the professionals and consult your vet without delay.

As your orphaned kitten grows, you will feel a real, parental pride in your achievements. Your love, care and dedication towards this small bundle of fur will have ensured a happy and healthy future for a tiny creature that would otherwise have perished.

So, yes! You certainly can save your orphaned kitten's life. But do yourself a favour, the hard work doesn't stop there. Learn just what you need to do to teach your orphaned kitten how to become a fully fledged adult cat by visiting the link in the box below.