Care of Orphaned or Rejected Kittens
It is quite challenging to raise an orphaned or abandoned kitten. Survival depends on the condition of the kitten when it is acquired and the care that is provided by its "foster parent". Some kittens that are abandoned by their mother have serious problems and will fail to thrive despite intensive care. The chance of survival of an orphan is optimized by providing proper nutrition and good nursing care and creating an appropriate environment. When these kittens do survive, they are more likely to have behavioral problems than kittens raised by mother cats.

Feeding Orphaned Kittens
Several companies now manufacture suitable milk replacers for kittens. The one with which we have the most experience is KMR. This product is available in both powder and liquid form and comes with instructions for use. Although neither cow’s or goat’s milk is an adequate replacement for cat’s milk, with some modification they can be used until the proper product is available.

Emergency Formula
1. 8 ounces of goat’s milk with one beaten egg yolk
OR
2. 8 ounces of canned, evaporated cow’s milk with one egg yolk

Kittens should be feed with a pet nurser bottle until they are about 3 weeks old. At that age they will begin to learn to lap semi-solid foods. A veterinarian should see kittens that are too weak to nurse. They may need subcutaneous fluids or may need to be feed by a stomach tube.

Kittens usually weigh about 3.5 oz at birth and grow very rapidly. Below are guidelines on how much to feed:
 

For example, if a kitten weights 5 oz at birth, feed it about 1 oz of formula over 24 hours up to 3 days of age (there are 30 ml. in one fluid ounce). Kittens should be fed at least 6 times daily and more frequently if they are weak. This may be reduced to four times daily at four weeks.

Make sure the kitten is awake before you start feeding. Burp it after it has been fed. After each feeding, the caretaker must gently rub the kitten’s perineum (the area just beneath the tail) with a piece of warm, damp cotton or a cloth to stimulate urination and defecation. Baby oil may be rubbed into the skin if it is dry or irritated.

Keep the kitten warm (80° F) for the first week. A heating pad* set on low over one half of the kitten’s box is usually adequate. Gradually reduce the temperature to 70° F over the next six weeks. The kitten should always be handled gently and allowed time to sleep. Socialization with other people and pets should begin after the second week of life.

* Always follow the manufacturer's safety recommendations.

When the Orphan Grows Up
Kittens may begin eating very soft canned food when they are three weeks old. Over the next two weeks they will learn to eat independently, and by five weeks they no longer need to be fed with a bottle. Kittens usually gain approximately one pound each month until they are five months old. They generally gain weight faster once they begin eating canned cat food. They may be exposed to dry food at eight weeks of age, but should continue to receive canned food three times daily until they are twelve weeks old. Even as adults, cats should be offered both canned and dry foods.

Saving an orphan kitten is quite an achievement, and a close attachment usually develops between the caretaker and the kitten. Unfortunately, some of these kittens are poorly socialized and do not relate well to other cats and people. They may become aggressive and not be a desirable pet. Not all orphaned kittens are so damaged, but it is important to recognize the possibility. Kittens develop into better companions when they are raised by a mother cat as well as being handled by people.