What Would You Do with a Newborn?

Well Possum had 3 kittens but the runt is having a hard time. They were only born on Friday. I have decided to hand raise the runt, now named Angel-Heart or Angel for short. I know how to do it from experience but I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions on how to raise a newborn kitten or something along those lines.

(Yes, yes, I am a very boring person with 13 cats, one of whom is now pink{Poor Phoenix}. I better hope that comes out before the showing season!)

...thirteen cats? Isn't it illegal to own that many?

In any case, do you plan on selling/giving away these kittens once they're old enough? I don't think it's healthy to keep so many, for the cats or people.

Unless she lived somewhere out in the country. Then I'd don't think it'd be such a big deal, especially if most were outdoor cats.

but nope. sorry. D: nothing for 'ya.

Kittens need milk, so bottle-feeding it some will help if you're hand-raising it. Still, it's best to keep it with its mother if possible.

And no, the last time I checked it's not illegal...Or at least I think you need a licence for having over 8-10 cats or something, but I know an old couple who have 26 cats. They take good care of them all.

It's not illegal where I live (Next to a hay field) and they are all outdoor year round except gor my show cats.

So far he will drink formula... if I get it in his mouth while he is mewing, don't worry he hasn't been getting it in his lungs. I took him out to see Possum this morning and she gave him a nice grooming. When he tried to nurse his siblings pushed him out of the way.

And he is the only one without a home so I might just keep him.

Hmm... I'm not sure with kittens but I may have some experience with newborn puppies..they act mostly the same anyways. I would place the runt next to his mama a few minutes before mealtime. I've done this with a tiny runt with 5 brothers and sisters, and it works.

Hope this helps ^^

Emeraldheart wrote:

So far he will drink formula... if I get it in his mouth while he is mewing, don't worry he hasn't been getting it in his lungs. I took him out to see Possum this morning and she gave him a nice grooming. When he tried to nurse his siblings pushed him out of the way.

Ah, my sister asked me to pass on a bit of curious advice she seemed to know from experience...

"In case the kitten is resisting, you can stick the cap of the bottle into the side of its mouth, instinctively activating its 'chewing teeth' to squeeze the milk out as if it were suckling normally. That's also how you feed animals who refuse to eat/drink, so just in case it might help, let her know for me." -Stormi

I will try that thanks.
He keeps crawling on my face but I noticed he has a white mark shaped like a star on his nose. Now he really does match his name, Angel-Heart.

But anyways he has been sleeping all day ('Cause that's what kittens do!) But right around midnight he keeps waking my up. So I think I only got like 3 hours of sleep.

Anybody know ways to keep him warm ALL night without me reheating the rice sock?

Sorry for the double post but edit was just not enough

I was up with Angel-Heart until 4 this morning. When I woke up at 9 this morning he was curled up in a tight, stiff, cold ball. I knew it wouldn't work but I tried to warm him up with no success.
His name will now be added to my signature and I officially hate it when cats are born in May.