Too Young to be Away from Mom

This visitor's question illustrates the problems encountered when a kitten is too young to be away from mom.

Too Young to be Away from Mom

I really love my new kitten. He is only three and a half weeks old, and he hasn't been drinking since I got him yesterday. He seems healthy otherwise. What should I do?

~~ Jenn

Expert Reply

Hi Jenn,

I'm really concerned about your kitten. A three week old kitten should still be with its mother. This is far too young to expect him to be eating on his own. He should still be nursing.

The best advice I can give you would be to take him back to his mom, and let him stay with her at least another three weeks. If that isn't possible, then you will need to pick up some kitten formula and a nurser at your local pet supply store, and begin bottle feeding him. You can then begin slowly introducing him to a little canned kitten food, and work into dry kitten food when he's a little older.

You may also need to make sure his bottom is kept clean and clear, just as his mother would have. If his rectum becomes blocked it could cause a serious impaction that could become life threatening.

You are going to have your hands full for the next couple of weeks, but this wouldn't be the first orphaned kitten that someone has nursed to safety. I'm sure you can do it.

Thanks for your question~~ Kelly

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