Originally published on MarthaStewart.com | Credit: Getty Images
While a litter of kittens is an adorable sight, it can be concerning when you find an unexpected one near your home. While your first instinct might be to scoop them up and shower them with love, that’s not what’s best for these tiny animals. Ahead, our feline experts explain the steps to take if you stumble upon a litter of kittens, including how to assess their age, whether a mother cat is returning, and when to consult a professional.
- Deborah Felin-Magaldi, co-founder and board director of Helen Sanders CatPAWS
- Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society
- Geri Katz, VMD, veterinary advisor at Pet Honesty
- Sue Mackasey, founder and president of PetitsPawz Cat Rescue
Look for the Mother First
While your instinct may be to jump into action, the best thing you can do when finding kittens in the wild is wait. “Mother cats routinely leave their kittens for several hours while they look for food or check that the area is safe,” says Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. “That does not mean they have abandoned them.”
If the kittens look healthy and are in a safe spot, observe from a distance and give their mother time to return. “One trick we recommend at Best Friends Animal Society is sprinkling a light ring of flour around the kittens,” Castle continues. “If you come back later and see paw prints, you will know Mom has been there.”
Ensure you keep some distance when monitoring the situation so as not to scare Mom off. “If she is free-roaming and feral, she will be wary of humans, and that presence might be enough to keep her away,” warns Deborah Felin-Magaldi, co-founder and board director of Helen Sanders CatPAWS.
If the kittens are loudly crying, seem unkempt, or are listless in a way that is obviously not just resting, something may have happened to their mom. “When and how to intervene depends on the age of the kittens,” Felin-Magaldi says.
How to Determine the Litter’s Age
You do not need to know the exact age of your kittens, but a rough estimate can help. Sue Mackasey, founder and president of PetitsPawz Cat Rescue, breaks down what to look for to determine approximate age:
- Between one to two weeks: Newborn kittens have their eyes closed and their ears are flat. They cannot walk, tend to stumble around, and lie together when not nursing. After seven to 10 days, their blue eyes begin to open and their ears straighten. They still cannot walk but can crawl farther and start to gain their footing.
- Between two to four weeks: At two to four weeks, the kittens walk better, their teeth start to grow in, and their eyes are wide open. They are much stronger and become more playful. They still nurse at this time but can start eating wet food at three weeks.
- Between four to six weeks: During this stage, the kittens have more of their teeth and eat much more independently, though they still typically nurse.
- Six to eight weeks: At this point, the kittens should weigh between 1 and 2 pounds, and their eyes may begin to change to their adult color—often green, depending on the cat. They are active and playful, and though they may still nurse, they do so less frequently and rely more on other food sources.
- Older than eight weeks: The kittens may weigh 2 pounds or more at eight weeks or older; they are stable on their feet, highly active, and have most of their baby teeth. They are gaining their independence and—if they have access to litter—will usually be litter-trained.
How to Intervene Depending on Age
How you handle the situation varies depending on how old the litter is.
Under Eight Weeks
If the kittens are healthy and being cared for by their mother, the best thing you can do is leave them be, especially if they are four weeks or younger, as they are unweaned and need their mother’s milk to survive. “Mom is their best chance at surviving those first critical weeks,” Castle says.
Do not bring young kittens to the shelter, as they require around-the-clock care that many shelters are not equipped to provide. “Many shelters lack the resources to care for newborn kittens,” cautions Felin-Magaldi. “Consequently, kittens under six weeks of age represent the highest number of animals euthanized in most public shelters.”
If the kittens appear to be alone or injured, contact a wildlife rehabilitator, as they may require bottle-feeding to survive.
Over Eight Weeks
When the kittens reach eight weeks, you can take them to a veterinarian for kitten care and have them spayed or neutered. “The reason for this timing is that the babies are now less dependent on their mother for food,” explains Mackasey. If the mother is with her litter, you can take her to get spayed at the same time so she doesn’t get pregnant again. The mother should be trapped last to ensure all the babies are caught and none are left behind.
Once the kittens are fixed, they can be returned to the outdoors, fostered, or adopted. “If the mother can be socialized, then she should stay with her kittens until the kittens are old enough to be adopted, usually around 10 to 12 weeks. The mother can then be adopted, as well,” Mackasey notes. If she is feral and not socialized, returning her to her outdoor home is typically best.
How to Support an Outdoor Litter
While intervention isn’t typically necessary, there are ways you can support Mom and her litter while she cares for her kittens. Dr. Geri Katz, veterinary advisor at Pet Honesty, says individuals who want to help can provide food and water as well as a large crate or outdoor shelter for protection from other animals. And keep your own pets away from the litter to avoid causing stress.
When to Consult a Professional
If they seem ill, take them to a veterinarian or rescue organization right away. “If the kittens or mother look sickly or have visible wounds, it is imperative that they see a veterinarian as soon as possible,” says Dr. Katz. “Young kittens are especially fragile and can get quite sick easily if not promptly attended to.”
You should also contact a professional if the cats are under five weeks of age and the mother doesn’t return to care for them. “If they are under five weeks of age, they will need to be bottle fed around the clock,” Dr. Katz says. “This is not an easy task, and it is very easy to harm them if you are inexperienced. You can contact a local rescue or veterinarian who may be more able to care for young kittens.” In certain circumstances, the kittens may need to be fed through a tube, which Dr. Katz says is a very delicate procedure that can cause significant harm if done incorrectly.
While most rescue groups get more requests for help than they can accommodate—and might not be able to take over caring for the kittens—they may have someone who can at least offer advice and tips. “Even posting on neighborhood forums might reach someone with fostering experience who can assist,” Felin-Magaldi says. “It does take a village, so reaching out to the community to find those with more experience can be a solid move.” When in doubt, asking for guidance and resources is always better than guessing.
What to Do if the Litter Is in Danger
If the kittens and mom are in immediate danger—such as near traffic or in an area that is flooding—it is OK to carefully move them to a safer spot nearby. “Their mother will not reject them because they have been touched,” Castle says.
However, this should be a last resort and only done in life-threatening situations. “This can cause so much stress to the mother that she may get sick or be unable to care for them properly,” warns Dr. Katz.
If you believe the family is in long-term danger, such as during a severe storm, you can bring them inside and keep them in a separate, quiet room, such as a bathroom. “A bathroom works well because the surfaces can be readily cleaned, and frequent cleaning and changing bedding is important,” says Felin-Magaldi. If this isn’t an option, a large dog crate or pop-up playpen also work.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few of the most common mistakes to avoid if you find a litter of kittens:
- Separating kittens from their mother: Mothers are the best caretakers, so it must be pretty clear that she is not returning before relocating them. Also, if the mother or one of the kittens seems ill and needs veterinary care, they must be taken all together. “A mother and her kittens are one unit and will thrive better when kept together,” Dr. Katz says.
- Feeding them before warming them up: Kittens cannot regulate and maintain body heat until they are at least three weeks old and can quickly become hypothermic. It is important to warm up the kittens before trying to feed. “Feeding a chilled kitten can result in the formula congealing in their stomach rather than being digested,” warns Felin-Magaldi. “This can cause the kitten to become septic and die.”
- Using flea medications too early: Many flea medications aren’t recommended for cats under a certain weight limit. If the kittens are flea-ridden, it’s best to consult a professional about the best treatment options.
- Taking them to a shelter: The reality is that healthy kittens are usually safest with their mom, and very young kittens who truly need help often do best in experienced foster homes where they can receive the around-the-clock care they need.
Consider the Big Picture
Finding a litter of kittens is often a sign there is an unspayed community cat nearby, says Castle. “That is why Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return programs are so important,” she says. “TNVR is a process in which cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and returned to the outdoor area they already call home. This approach improves cats’ health, prevents future litters, and helps communities reduce shelter intake over time.”