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Last Updated:

Jan 22, 2009

Neonate and Orphan: Puppies and Kittens

Please contact your regular veterinarian or Animal Emergency and Critical Care Center of Toledo, Inc. with any additional concerns or questions.

To replace or supplement the mothers care, the following must be addressed:

1. warmth

2. feeding

3. cleanliness and elimination

4. socialization

1.  WARMTH: From birth to two weeks of age, neonates are unable to control their body temperature. Keeping them warm is critical to their survival. They cannot digest any food if they are too cold. They must be kept between 88-92 degrees the first week, and 80-90 degrees the second week. This can be accomplished by keep them in a box in a warm, non-drafty room, with a hot water bottle. This bottle must be repeatedly re-warmed, because if it get to cold, it can actually take heat away from the babies.

2. FEEDING: There are several brands of commercial milk replacers available, but be sure to get the correct formula for the species you are caring for. The amounts to feed that are listed on the label are to be used as a guideline. Let them eat as much as they want at each feeding, without forcing. In general, they must be fed every 2 hours for the first week, then every 2-4 hours the second week. They may eat more at some meals then others, but if they consistently eat less then what is recommended they should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. They should lay on their stomachs on a towel in order to nurse from a bottle or a syringe.

3. CLEANLINESS: The mother keeps the babies extremely clean, to prevent infections. The skin is very delicate and can develop sores if food or waste remains in contact with it. In the process of licking them clean, the mother stimulates them to urinate and defecate. They cannot do this on their own for the first 3-4 weeks of life. You need to mimic the mother by using a soft, clean cloth moistened with warm water to gently wipe them down all over. Then gently wipe the belly and genital area with short strokes to stimulate urination and defecation until they have finished. This should be done before or after every feeding. They may not defecate every time, but should defecate once or twice a day if they are eating well.

4. SOCIALZATION: Puppies and kittens with no mother need a lot of attention and handling in order to develop normal behavior.

WARNING SIGNS: CONSULT A VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATLY IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING HAPPENS:

• A baby that is weaker or less active, or smaller than, its littermates.
• poor suckling reflex.
• frequent crying or restlessness, even after feeding.
• vomiting and/or diarrhea.
• sores or red and irritated skin.
• runny nose and/or eyes, coughing, sneezing.
• refusing to eat more then one meal.

Remember: Without their natural mother, an average of 50% of all orphaned puppies and kittens will die, even with the best of care. Do not be discouraged if you lose one baby or even the whole litter, because they would have not had any chance at all without your help!