What to Do if You Find a Stray Kitten

Springtime doesn’t just mean warm weather and longer days — it also means kittens. And lots of them. With the number of feral cats in the United States estimated to be in the tens of millions, the Humane Society estimates that thousands of kittens are born each day.

If you come across one of these adorable bundles of fur, your first instinct might be to scoop it up and take it home, but the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals cautions that this isn’t always in the best interest of the kitten.

Before you rescue any kittens, wait to see if their mother returns. The better-fed and healthier the kitten seems, the more likely it is that a stray kitten's mom is around. She could be hunting nearby, and taking the kittens away from her puts them in a critical situation, one that requires time-consuming care to keep them alive. However, if a kitten seems critically sick or injured, take it to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Wait for Momma Cat to Return

If she returns and seems friendly, Alley Cat Allies, a national advocacy organization for cats, recommends taking her and the kittens indoors until the kittens are old enough to be weaned. Place the whole family in a small room with a safe place for them to hide, such as a cardboard box with blankets. Provide mom with plenty of food, water, and a litter box. Check on the kittens daily, to make sure they are healthy and growing. Keep the room warm and any other pets out.

If she's feral, provide food and water but leave the animals alone. Contact your local Humane Society or feral cat rescue group to learn how you can safely trap the entire family to have them spayed and neutered. Alley Cat Allies offers tips for trapping a mother and her kittens in a variety of scenarios.

However, if the mother cat doesn’t return, borrow a live-animal trap from a shelter or rescue group to capture the kittens, or simply pick them up and place them in a cat carrier. It's a good idea to wear gloves and a garment with long sleeves, if possible. Take the kitten to the vet as soon as possible for a healthy assessment.

If you’re considering caring for the kittens yourself, keep in mind that you’re committing to providing around-the-clock care for several weeks. If the animals are neonatal, they’ll require even more specialized care. If you don’t have experience caring for kittens, it's best to contact a vet, animal shelter, or animal care group.

Caring for Kittens

If you must care for the tiny critters yourself, the first step is to determine their age. Observing physical signs, such as how open their eyes are, will help, but it’s best to call a veterinarian. A vet can give a better idea of the kittens’ age and help you develop a plan to feed and care for the animals.

• Place the kittens in a small box lined with blankets or towels and keep them in a room separate from other pets. Kittens can easily become chilled, so place a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel or a heating pad on low temperature in the box. Make sure there’s enough room in the box for the kittens to move away from it if they get too warm. Be sure kittens are warm before you feed them, otherwise their little bodies will not be able to digest the formula.
• Change the bedding as needed. If a kitten needs cleaning, use a moist cloth to wipe them clean and dry them with a towel. Never place a kitten in water.
• Kittens should be fed only kitten formula, which can be purchased at a pet supply store. Never feed them anything else without consulting a veterinarian first. Use a special kitten bottle or small syringe.
• Follow these instructions to learn how to bottle feed and how often to feed the kitten, based on their weight and age.
• Only bottle feed kittens when they’re on their stomachs. Test the liquid on your wrist to ensure that it’s warm but not hot. Do not feed chilled kittens.
• After feeding, burp the kittens by placing them on your shoulder or on their stomachs and patting them gently.
• Using a kitchen scale, weigh the kitten daily and keep a log. If the kitten begins to lose weight, take them to the veterinarian immediately.
• Kittens under 4 weeks of age must be stimulated to go to the bathroom after each feeding. Mother cats lick the kittens, but you can simulate this by using a warm, moist cotton balls and gently rubbing the kittens’ anal area.
• At three to four weeks of age, supply the animals with a shallow litter pan and place a used cotton ball in it to begin litter training.
• If a kitten has trouble breathing or eating, or if it has fleas, a discharge or any other unusual signs, take the animal to see a veterinarian.
• Enjoy time with kitten! Set aside at least 30 minutes every day for gentle petting, playtime, and holding. This will help the kitten become a properly socialized cat, whether you decide to

More Resources for Caring for Kittens

• For more step-by-step kitten care tutorials, visit The Kitten Lady's Kitten Care website.
• To learn about kitten's development, watch Jackson Galaxy's video Kitten Growth Stages & Milestones.
• To help keep your kitten entertained, check out our list of the best cat toys.
• If you're not sure if you're ready to foster kittens, ask yourself these five questions.