A gentle handbook

Tiny lives,
big love.

Found a litter of kittens without a mother? Take a breath. With the right supplies, a warm nest, and a little patience, you can give them the best chance at life. This guide walks you through every step, in plain language.

Start with supplies How to feed

Newborn kitten sleeping in cupped hands wrapped in a soft cream blanket

First, find their age

Care changes quickly in the first weeks. Use these signs to estimate how old your kittens are.

0–1 week

50–150 g

Neonate

• Eyes closed
• Ears folded
• Umbilical cord may be present
• Sleeps almost all day

1–2 weeks

150–250 g

Neonate

• Eyes begin to open (blue)
• Ears unfold
• Starts to wiggle

2–3 weeks

250–350 g

Transitional

• Eyes fully open
• First teeth appear
• Stands wobbly

3–4 weeks

350–450 g

Transitional

• Walks better
• Can start to use a low litter box
• May lap from a saucer

4–5 weeks

450–550 g

Weaning begins

• Runs and pounces
• Starts eating wet kitten food mixed with KMR
• Grooms itself a little

5–6 weeks

550–700 g

Weaning

• Eats mostly wet food
• Uses litter box reliably
• Plays with siblings and toys

6–7 weeks

700–850 g

Socialization

• Fully weaned from bottle
• Confident on its feet
• Ready for first vet visit & deworming

7–8 weeks

850 g – 1 kg

Almost ready

• Eats kitten food on its own
• Eligible for first FVRCP vaccine
• Curious, playful, sleeps less

The six things they need

Orphaned kittens depend on you for the things their mother would normally provide.

Food

Kitten milk replacer (KMR) fed by bottle or syringe every 2–4 hours, including overnight.

Warmth

A heat source kept at 85–90°F (29–32°C) for the first two weeks. Cold kittens cannot digest.

Hydration

Watch for dehydration. Milk replacer is their water — never give cow's milk.

Stimulation

After each feeding, gently stimulate them to pee and poop with a warm damp cloth.

Cleanliness

Clean their face, bottom, and bedding daily to prevent infection.

Gentle handling

Quiet handling helps them feel safe and bonds them to people.

When to call a vet immediately

Limp body, cold to the touch, refusing to eat for more than a few hours, labored breathing, diarrhea, blood, swollen belly, or any sign of injury. Newborns decline fast — don't wait.