newborn kitten

Question
believe that the newborn kitten I rescued is part of a litter of a feral cat that I have trying to trap for seven months. It might be the runt of the litter because all the other kittens are six and a half weeks and this little guy is barely five inches long with its eyes still closed and just sleeps. I really don't know what other then try to keep it alive. The mother cats seems to have abandoned it since it has five other kitten. Please advise on care I can take.

Juana

Answer
Hi Juana,

Welcome the world of hand raising a kitten. It is a very rewarding job. I am attaching a couple of links that you should read. They explain everything you need to know. I am also attaching a copy of my recipe for Kitty Glop. It is a very good food to raise the runt on. It will put good weight on it. The most important thing you can do is keep the kit warm. Getting chilled is the number one killer of orphan kits. There is info about a nesting box to keep it warm in the links. I have known of people who also make a little sling and keep the runt against their skin to keep it warm. But the main thing is to keep it warm.

http://www.feralcat.com/raising.html

http://www.hdw-inc.com/tinykitten.htm

Good luck and take care. I think you will find that you will have a loving furry friend for life after this.


Ciao, Karen

KITTY GLOP

INGREDIENTS:
1 can goat milk or evaporated milk(not sweetened condensed). Walmart carries canned goat milk by the evaporated milk
2 tbsp. plain yogurt (not low or non fat) Plain Greek Yogurt is best.
2 tbsp. mayonnaise (real not light or No-Fat)
1 tbs. Karo Syrup (light)
1 pkg. Knox unflavored gelatin
1 egg yolk (beaten)
1 cup Pedialyte (unflavored)
1- 2 jars Stage One Baby food (chicken or turkey)
1 can Kitten food, same flavor as baby food

INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix milk, yogurt, mayonnaise, baby food, kitten food and syrup together well. Bring 1 cup pedialyte to boil and mix in Knox gelatin. Set aside. Mix egg yolk with small amount of milk mixture and beat well.

Add gelatin and pedialyte mix to milk mixture and beat well. Add in egg yolk mixture and beat well. Remember to not use egg substitute and keep egg white to a minimum.

Pour into bowl (with cover) and set in refrigerator. Glop will last for two weeks covered in refrigerator. Try freezing the mixture in ice cube trays and store the cubes in the freezer. Thaw as many as needed.
Always warm glop to room temperature ,(milk form), or a little warmer, before feeding.