12/31/05

Is the Kitty Dehydrated?

Orphaned Kitten Care

Is the Kitty Dehydrated? Orphaned Kitty Care

Hydration is basically how much water we have in our system. Since water drives all of our metabolic functions, you can see why adequate hydration is essential.

The easiest way to check how hydrated your kitten is, is to grasp the skin firmly but gently between the kitten's shoulder blades, and lift it straight up with a twisting motion as you release it. Kitten skin that is well hydrated pops back within a second or less.

Kitten Care

The longer it takes the skin to return to its place, the more fluids your kitten needs. In severely dehydrated kittens, the shelter manager may decide to inject water or electrolyte solution under the kitten's skin, for faster absorption.


Smart Cat Products
Smart Cat Products

Treatment: A kitten that is noticeably dehydrated should receive prompt veterinary attention. Treatment is directed at replacing fluids and preventing further losses.

In mild cases without vomiting, fluids can be given by mouth. If the kitten won't drink, give an electrolyte solution by bottle or syringe into the cheek pouch.

Balanced electrolyte solutions for treating dehydration in children are available at drugstores. Ringer's lactate with 5 percent Dextrose in water and a solution called Pedialyte are suitable for kittens. They are given at the rate of two to four milliliters per pound body weight per hour, depending on the severity of the dehydration (or as directed by your veterinarian).

1-800-PetMeds  -  Guaranteed Lowest Prices
1-800 PetMeds

Feed the solution every 2 hours until the skin snaps back accordingly. Then start with a thin milk replacer mixed with the electrolyte solution.

12/7/05

Weaning your Kitten

Orphaned Kitten Care

Weaning your Kitten Orphaned Kitty Care

The weaning process starts when the kitten is 4 weeks of age.

Start by feeding it formula in a bowl. Do not leave the kittens unattended with the bowl at first! The kittens will run through the bowl and the dried milk on the fur and skin can cause ringworms and other skin and fur problems.

First food from the plate is always a mess!

Then gradually introduce solid food. Moisten dry kitten food with formula or water. Read the labels! The dried Kitten food should contain at least 30% of Crude Protein. Much of what is sold in supermarkets is pure junk food and may not help your kitten thrive. Most canned cat foods will cause diarrhea and foul smelling stool.

PetsMart Special Offer
PetsMart Special Offers. Click HERE!

Don't expect the kitten to be weaned overnight. As it eats more often from the bowl, reduce the bottle feedings.

Changes in diet or certain foods can cause diarrhea, so keep an eye on stools. Diarrhea can be life-threatening to a young kitten.

Introducing Solid Foods mixed into the Bottle

11/11/05

Cute Kitten Videos and Kitten Movies

Orphaned Kitten Care

Kitten Videos

Orphaned Kitty Care
Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 14.2 MB Length: 4.40 Minutes
View Kitten Movie

Description: Orphaned Kittens
A collection of short videos I made the past few years while raising literally hundreds of orphaned kittens. Due to the size of this movie it might take a while to load!

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 545 KB Length: 17 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Bottlefeeding your Kitten

Watch how much the kitten loves his bottle.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 701 KB Length: 18 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Bottlefeeding your Kitten

Kitten suckling his bottle and loosing it.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 475 KB Length: 10 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Bottlefeeding your Kitten

Watch how much the kitten loves his bottle.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 1 MB Length: 17 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

This will provide evidence that dogs do NOT hate cats!

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 615 KB Length: 16 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

My male Lab Butters warming a litter of orphaned kittens.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 655 KB Length: 14 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

Butters watching over the kittens playing on the couch.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 967 KB Length: 19 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

Butters makes sure the kitten gets enough! Notice how carefully he steps over her.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 561 KB Length: 11 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

Butters comforting and encouraging a kitten.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 959 KB Length: 19 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

Butters still watching over the kittens playing on the couch.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 584 KB Length: 10 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

My Husky Nicholai needs to take a lick too!

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 733 KB Length: 16 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Kittens and Dogs

Butters and a juvenile kitten. He really loves his kittens!

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 287 KB Length: 10 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

Kitten Lucy "making milk" and suckles on her favorite blanky.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 678 KB Length: 14 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

Curious kitten just starting to see the big world.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 522 KB Length: 11 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

Kitten chasing his tail on a scratching post .

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 1 MB Length: 19 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

Kitten starts to play with toys, learning skills and socialization.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size:1.2 MB Length: 19 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

Kittens socializing while playing .

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 1.1 MB Length: 16 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

Kittens socializing while playing .

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 342 KB Length: 10 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

This cat puts her paw into the water and licks the water off her paw . Waterfilter?

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 1.2 MB Length: 19 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Itty Bitty Kitty Comitty

Litter of 8 orphaned Kittens, 4 weeks old .

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 694 KB Length: 19 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Litterbox Training

3 weeks old Kittens exploring the Litterbox.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 1.2 MB Length: 19 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Litterbox Training

Kittens exploring the Litterbox and dancing.

Orphaned Kitten Videos
Size: 600 KB Length: 11 Seconds
View Kitten Movie

Description: Weaning the Kitten

Weaning the kitten and teach them how to eat solid foods is a MESS!