Foothills Animal Shelter Foster Department

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Foothills Animal Shelter Foster Department
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                         Department: Ops/Foster
                         Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                         Revision #: 03.2020
                         Created: March 2019
                         Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator

Foothills Animal Shelter Foster Department–
 Kitten Care 101 Guidebook: The Cure for
                 Amnesia

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Foothills Animal Shelter Foster Department
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                                 Department: Ops/Foster
                                                                 Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                                 Revision #: 03.2020
                                                                 Created: March 2019
                                                                 Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator

*This guide is not a substitute for communicating with the foster department. Always keep the foster de-
partment updated on how kittens in your care are doing, whether it is going well or not. Kittens are very
fragile and staff will better be able to help you if you are updating us the entire time they are with you. If
 you are experiencing any problems/concerns with your kitten, it is important you contact the foster de-
                                           partment immediately. *
                                    Never hesitate to ask us questions!

                                             Mom and Babies

                                             0-3 Weeks                A note on this guide: It is set up
                                                                     in color coded sections, as shown
                                             4+ Weeks
                                                                                in this table.
                                             Socializer Kitten

                           Getting in Touch with the Foster Department
                 Foster Hours of Operation: 8am to 6pm, 7 days a week, by appointment
                                 Except holidays when the Shelter is closed
                                        Email: foster@fas4pets.org
                             Remember to choose ‘Reply All’ when responding
        For all general communication, this the most ideal way to contact the Foster Department.
                                           Direct Office Phones:
                                               720-407-5231
                                               720-407-5239
                                      Emergency On-Call Cell Phone
                                          (after hours & holidays)
                                               720-460-1314
                         Leave a message and you will receive a prompt call back.

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Foothills Animal Shelter Foster Department
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                            Department: Ops/Foster
                                                            Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                            Revision #: 03.2020
                                                            Created: March 2019
                                                            Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                    How to Determine a Kitten’s Age

What age is your kitten? When your kitten arrived at the shelter, staff determined its
age before it was ready to head out to foster. Ever wonder how we do that when we
                generally have no clue when their actual birthday is?
 Is my kitten a boy or girl? Along with determining their age, staff will attempt to de-
termine the gender of your kitten upon arrival. Very young kittens can be tough to de-
                   termine, but as they grow it will become easier.

               https://www.alleycat.org/resources/kitten-progression/

                         http://www.kitten-rescue.com/sexing_the_kitten.html

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Foothills Animal Shelter Foster Department
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                                Department: Ops/Foster
                                                                Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                                Revision #: 03.2020
                                                                Created: March 2019
                                                                Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                                    Kitten Milestones by Age

      Depending on your kitten’s age, there are certain milestones to watch for and specific treatments
                                   they will need on a regular schedule.

Age        Weight Milestones                                             What do we need?

Birth      4-5 oz    •   Eyes and ears closed
                     •   Sleeps most of the time
                     •   Keep handling to a minimum
10-14      8 oz      •   Eyes and ears should open during this time
days                     frame

2-3        12 oz     •   Baby incisors erupt
weeks                •   Can begin to eliminate without stimulation
                     •   Will start crawling, standing, and playing
                                                                           1st dose Ponazuril
                     •   Regular handling can begin                       and Pyrantel given at
                     •   Competition for rank and territory begin.           2 weeks of age.
                         Separation from mothers and littermates at         Booster both in 2
                         this point could lead to poor learning skills           weeks.
                         and aggression towards people and other
                         pets.

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Foothills Animal Shelter Foster Department
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                              Department: Ops/Foster
                                                              Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                              Revision #: 03.2020
                                                              Created: March 2019
                                                              Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                            Kitten Milestones by Age Cont’d
Age     Weight Milestones                                               What do we need?

4weeks 1lb        •   Baby canine teeth erupt
                  •   Walking more, but may not have great bal-
                                                                        Booster Ponazuril and
                      ance
                                                                         Pyrantel. Boostered
                  •   Begins to self groom                              every 2 weeks until 16
                  •   Can thermoregulate                                    weeks of age

                  •   Ready for introduction to gruel and dry             1st FVRCP vaccine
                      kitten food                                         given if at least 1lb

                  •   Hearing is developed by 4 weeks of age
                  •   Sight is fully developed by 5 weeks of age
6       1.5lbs    •   Baby premolars erupt
weeks   (1lb 8oz) •   Running, playing, and using litterbox              Booster FVRCP vac-
                      consistently                                         cine Booster in 2
                                                                          weeks. Booster py-
                  •   Should be eating mainly dry kitten food,
                                                                         rantel and ponazuril
                      supplemented with canned food
                                                                                      .
8+      2+lbs     •   Ready for Spay/Neuter and adoption if
weeks                 2+lbs
                                                                            Graduation!
                  •   Rabies vaccine given at 16 weeks of age
                                                                          Booster all. Once
                                                                          2+lbs, release to
                                                                             adoption!

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Foothills Animal Shelter Foster Department
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                                  Department: Ops/Foster
                                                                  Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                                  Revision #: 03.2020
                                                                  Created: March 2019
                                                                  Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                   Setting Up for Your New Foster Kitten Based on Age
                                 Age          Mom and Kittens

 Moms with kittens will need a den set up somewhere in your home where mom can feel safe and secure
  while she cares for her little ones. It’s usually best if this is a dimly lit (low lighting) area that is out of the
   way and will have low traffic around it. Keep in mind that you can prep an area for her, and she may
 choose to set up somewhere completely different; mom’s choices aren’t typically predictable! Find a cor-
  ner or closet in the room you plan on confining them in and prepare it. You can use a large litter box, or
something similar to house mom and kittens (depending on kitten ages). This will give mom a safe place to
keep kittens contained (in the box) but she will be able to get out and stretch her legs when she needs to.
  You can use new, clean bedding as well as bedding mom has been using while at the shelter so that her
                          scent is on it already and helps her feel more comfortable.

 Return to Kitten
 Milestone Chart

                                                         6
Foothills Animal Shelter Foster Department
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                              Department: Ops/Foster
                                                              Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                              Revision #: 03.2020
                                                              Created: March 2019
                                                              Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                      Setting Up for Your New Foster Kitten Based on Age
                              Age         Mom and Kittens

Once you get mom and kittens to your home you can set the crate facing towards the area you set up and
    open the door. Mom will eventually come out and explore the area. Once she’s comfortable and has
 picked her spot she may head back to the crate and start moving the kittens to her chosen area. Usually,
once she’s picked a place, that’s it… you won’t be able to convince her to move elsewhere. If kittens are a
 little older and able to move around on their own, mom will love a perch somewhere near her “nest” so
she can take a break from them but still keep watch. Once mom has picked her location, set up a litterbox
   and food/water for her and kittens. Depending on the area you have available to work with; you may
need baby gates or play pens to help keep mom contained, once she’s chosen her spot, if you do not want
  her to have free roam of your house at that time. If you have resident pets, they must be kept entirely
                                      separate from mom and babies.

                                                Items You’ll need
                               Large crate (big enough for mom and babies)
                               Bedding– Clean and recently used by mom
                               2 litter boxes– and kitten sized
                               Unscented, non-clumping litter
                               Litter scoop
   Return to Kitten
                               Scale
   Milestone Chart
                               Optional Baby gate or play pen

                                                     7
Foothills Animal Shelter Foster Department
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                            Department: Ops/Foster
                                                            Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                            Revision #: 03.2020
                                                            Created: March 2019
                                                            Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                   Setting Up for Your New Foster Kitten Based on Age
                               Age         0-3 weeks

                     Kittens should be housed in a small crate or play pen, provided
                       by FAS. Make sure crate is lined with warm blankets, and is
                      large enough to house a warmie, with room for the kittens to
                        move away from the heat source if needed. Adding a soft
                     stuffed animal will offer the kittens something warm to snuggle
                      with in place of siblings and mom. Make sure to keep bedding
                                     clean and dry, change as needed.

                                             Items You’ll need

                          Crate (clam shell if available)
                          Bedding (enough so you can change frequently)
                          Warmie
Return to Kitten
                          Stuffed Animal
Milestone Chart
                          Scale

                                                     8
Foothills Animal Shelter Foster Department
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                           Department: Ops/Foster
                                                           Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                           Revision #: 03.2020
                                                           Created: March 2019
                                                           Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                   Setting Up for Your New Foster Kitten Based on Age
                               Age         4+ weeks

           Kittens can be housed in a small crate, play pen, larger crate, or small room as they
           grow and begin to really explore. Crates should be big enough to house a warmie (if
            needed), with room for kittens to move away from the heat source. Space kittens
             are housed in should be kept small to encourage weight growth and keep them
            from running off all of the calories they may eat during the day, and this will help
             them learn solid litterbox skills. Keep in mind that as kittens grow they will learn
              how to climb, so they will not be confined by baby gates or play pens for long!

                                               Items You’ll need

                            Small room or play pen/baby gates
                            Crate
                            Warmie
                            Bedding
                            Litter box
                            Unscented, non-clumping litter
Return to Kitten
                            Litter Scoop
Milestone Chart
                            Scale

                                                  9
Foothills Animal Shelter Foster Department
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                            Department: Ops/Foster
                                                            Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                            Revision #: 03.2020
                                                            Created: March 2019
                                                            Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                Setting Up for Your New Foster Kitten: Based on Age
                    Age        Socializer (typically 8 weeks or less)

         Kittens who are in need of socialization will require a special set up to ensure the best
        chance at success and to reduce the risk of possible bites happening. A large wire kennel
        should be set up with a bed, litter box, and food/water dishes. Using this set up ensures
       the kitten will not find someplace to hide, and you have relatively easy access to the kitten
        in the beginning when handling. Once the kitten has warmed up to people, you may ex-
                                    pand its area outside of the crate.
                                              Items You’ll need

                          Large wire kennel
                          Purrito bag
                          Litter box
                          Bedding
                          Unscented, non-clumping litter
                          Litter scoop
                          Highly desirable reward– such as canned food or human
                          baby food (no food that contains garlic or onion)
Return to Kitten
                          Wand or feather type toy
Milestone Chart
                          Scale

                                                   10
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                             Department: Ops/Foster
                                                             Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                             Revision #: 03.2020
                                                             Created: March 2019
                                                             Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                                    Guide to Socializer Kittens
                      Age        Socializer (typically 8 weeks or less)

                 First Few Days                      Handling Recommendation:             Hand feeding wet food
                                                     ‘Burritoing’ - to hold, use so-       or baby food, letting
  Start Here
                                                       cialization bag or wrap in         kitten lick off your fin-
                  What you see:                       towel. Use gloves or gently                   gers
                  Kitten hissing, spitting,            scruff to handle if needed
                  swatting, growling
                                                     Pick up, hold briefly and re-     Play with small interac-
                                                      turn to safe place– “catch        tive toys (no catnip),
                                                             and release”               but focus on handling
                                                                                          and being close to
                                                                                                kitten

We will supply you with a “purrito bag” when you pick up your so-
cializer kitten. This bag is a wonderful way for your kitten to be
with people and experience your day with you, without having to
be constantly handled. The thick felt material envelops them and
the mesh window gives them a view of the world as well as letting
them experience the sounds and smells of their environment.            Continue to next steps

                                                    11
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                               Department: Ops/Foster
                                                               Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                               Revision #: 03.2020
                                                               Created: March 2019
                                                               Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                                    Map to Socializer Kittens
                     Age        Socializer (typically 8 weeks or less)

       At 5-7 days

What you see:                                  What to do:
Still observing some hissing,                  Continue handling, including all
spitting, swatting, growling and/              over body. Increase: Interaction
or backing away                                time, frequency of approaching,
                                               standing/walking near kitten
What you see:
                                               What to do:
Hissing on approach but respon-
                                               Continue handfeeding canned
sive, purring, warming up to being
                                               food and continue focus on
handled
                                               handling, holding

                                               What to do:
What you see:
                                               If possible, separate from other
No change or improvement
                                               kittens to handle, and confine
                                               to small area for interactions.
                                               Consult with Foster Staff.

                Do not introduce kitten to your resident pets until
                they are soliciting affection from humans. If intro-
                duced to your pet before they are fully socialized
                with humans, they may bond with them over the
                humans in their life. The goal is to have a kitten
                that is well socialized with humans and ready to
                head up for adoption!
                                                                            Continue to next steps

                                                      12
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                                   Department: Ops/Foster
                                                                   Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                                   Revision #: 03.2020
                                                                   Created: March 2019
                                                                   Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator

        After 7-10 days

What you see:                                      What to do:
Social, purring, relaxed with                      Congratulations! Continue han-
handling and approach                              dling and encourage kitten to ap-
                                                   proach you for food or play time.

What you see:
                                                   What to do:
Still a little hissy, shy, apprehensive
                                                   Keep at the handling, hand
                                                   feeding, separating from oth-
                                                   ers, etc. Some kittens stay shy

                                                   What to do:
What you see:
                                                   Consult with Foster Staff for
Still no improvement
                                                   new ideas or to return kitten to
                                                   shelter for more intensive work
                                                   or Working Whiskers Program

                                          Depending on how old the kitten is and
                                          where they are in their socializer journey,
                                          foster staff may ask you to return the kitten
                                          once they have hit a certain point. It is
                                          sometimes more a matter of bonding with
                                          whomever they spend the most time with
                                                                                                   You made it!
                                          instead of needing further socialization
                                          work. It will be important for them to find
                                          their new forever homes ASAP when this is
                                          the case so they may begin to bond with
                                          their new owner and you can work with an-
                                          other kitten!

                                                          13
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                                  Department: Ops/Foster
                                                                  Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                                  Revision #: 03.2020
                                                                  Created: March 2019
                                                                  Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                          Feeding Your Foster Kittens: Based on Age
                              Age      Mom and Kittens
    Kittens that come with mom should ideally need little support in feeding until they reach weaning age.
Sometimes, though, mom will need a little help making sure everyone is being fed enough, especially if there
is a runt in the litter. Often, the bigger kittens in a litter will push the smaller ones out of the way and get the
    majority of mom’s milk. While you have mom and kittens in your care it will be important to weigh the
 kittens throughout the week to ensure they are all gaining weight steadily. Report any stagnation or loss of
  weight to foster department. If you begin to notice any of the kittens struggling to eat and/or gain weight,
 you may be advised to subsidize mom’s feedings with bottle feeding of your own. Refer to feeding instruc-
            tions for kittens age 0-3 weeks (page 15) for instructions on how to bottle feed a kitten.
Otherwise, your main job will be to keep mom well fed and when the kittens are old enough, help introduce
and guide them through the weaning process. Refer to feeding instructions for kittens age 3-5 weeks (page
 18) for instructions on how to help a kitten transition from milk or formula to gruel, and eventually dry and
   canned food. While mom is nursing it is important that she always have access to food as her body is ex-
pending a tremendous amount of energy. While mom is nursing, offer kitten dry food all day, always replen-
  ishing the bowl when she empties it. You can offer canned kitten food 2-3 times a day, offering 1/2-1 can
   each time, depending on the size of the can. You can also offer a small amount of RC mom and baby cat
    food, but be cautious of how much you use. This is an expensive food that is mainly used to encourage
kittens to eat dry food and will be an important tool in the weaning process. If kittens are weaned (around 4-
6 weeks of age) you can begin offering mom adult dry and canned food, and feeding kittens the appropriate
                                             dry and canned food.
                                                Items You’ll need
                             Bowls for food (canned, dry, gruel) and water
                             Dry food– Royal Canin Mom and Baby cat, Purina Pro-
                             plan Kitten, Purina Proplan Adult Cat                                    Always store
                                                                                                      unused KMR
                             Canned food– Kitten and adult
                                                                                                     powder in the
                             KMR– Powder, not the liquid that is sold in cans                       fridge or freezer
                             Syringes and/or bottles                                                to keep it fresh!
   Return to Kitten          Nipples (varying sizes)
   Milestone Chart           Soft cloth or cotton balls
                             Scale

                                                          14
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                       Department: Ops/Foster
                                                       Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                       Revision #: 03.2020
                                                       Created: March 2019
                                                       Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                   Feeding Your Foster Kittens: Based on Age
                             Age       0-3 weeks
                     Bottle baby kittens are 0-3 (or 4) weeks old. They will
                   need special, around the clock care, with feedings every
                   2-4 hours. If mom is not present or able to feed, it will be
                   up to you! Kittens will need to be fed KMR, a milk replac-
                     er formula. You can use either a syringe, syringe with
                   nipple, or bottle, or any combination of the three. What-
                    ever works best for you and the kitten! Nipples should
                   be cut so that formula easily drips out when the bottle is
                     inverted. You should not need to squeeze a bottle to
                                   produce a drop of formula.
                       See Pages 16-17 for steps tips on bottle feeding

                                         Items You’ll need

                     Syringes (varying sizes)
                     Bottles and cleaning supplies                                        Always store
                     Nipples (varying sizes)                                              unused KMR
                     KMR– Powder, not the liquid that is sold in cans                    powder in the
                                                                                        fridge or freezer
                     Blanket/Towel
                                                                                        to keep it fresh!
Return to Kitten     Cotton ball /soft cloth
Milestone Chart      Timer/Alarm clock
                     Scale

                                                15
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                                   Department: Ops/Foster
                                                                   Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                                   Revision #: 03.2020
                                                                   Created: March 2019
                                                                   Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator

Steps for bottle feeding-                                   2. PREPARE FORMULA cont’d– If the formula is
                                                               too cold it can lead to gastrointestinal upset
1. CHECK KITTEN- Make sure the kitten is warm,
                                                               and lower the kitten’s body temperature, un-
   and not chilled. Use a warmie or hold the kitten
                                                               doing all of your hard work! Be careful to check
   close to your body until it warms up. At this
                                                               that the formula is also not too hot, as this can
   age, kittens cannot generate their own body
                                                               injure the kitten.
   heat, so wrapping in a towel or blanket will not
   warm them up without a heat source. A chilly             3. PREPARE KITTEN- Place kitten on its belly. Nev-
   kitten will not be able to eat and feeding them             er hold a kitten on its back to feed. They can
   while they are cold can have serious health                 easily aspirate fluid into their lungs this way. If
   consequences. The energy needed to metabo-                  the kitten is moving, and flailing too much to
   lize the food may not be readily available when             feed; you can wrap them in a blanket or towel
   they are cold, which means food may just sit in             and hold them upright. Experiment with both
   their stomach undigested and cause issues.                  positions to determine what works best for you
   Their ability to swallow may also be weakened               and the kitten
   so there is a greater risk of aspiration. If your
   kitten is cold and you are worried that it has
   not eaten in a very long time, put some honey
   or syrup on its gums to help boost blood sugar
   while you work on warming it up.
2. PREPARE FORMULA– Mix formula according to
   instructions on container. Do not mix too much
   formula at one time. Only make enough formu-
   la to last you 12-24 hours. Make sure formula is
   warm, not too cold or too hot. Only heat up          https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-kitten-health-care-bottle-feeding-orphan-ask-einstein
   what you need for that feeding. Refrigerate the
   rest for future use. You can submerge a bottle
   or syringe of formula in a mug of hot water to
   heat it up and test the temperature on the in-
   side of your wrist. A kitten’s body temperature
   is normally around 95-100° F, and an adult cat’s
   body temperature is normally 100-102° F. The
   formula should be around 100° F, as this is the
   temperature of the milk they would normally
   receive from mom.

                                                       16
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                                 Department: Ops/Foster
                                                                 Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                                 Revision #: 03.2020
                                                                 Created: March 2019
                                                                 Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator

                                                                    Kitten Feeding Chart by Age
4. FEED- Place a drop or two of formula onto
   the kitten’s tongue to introduce them to the      Age            Amount (per feeding)           Schedule
   formula and to make sure they are ready to
   swallow. If the kitten latches onto the nipple    0-1 Week       2-6ml                          Every 2 hours
   immediately, congrats! You are on the road
                                                     1-2 Weeks      6-10ml                         Every 2-3 hours
   to a successful feeding.
•   If feeding with a bottle, make sure you do       2-3 Weeks      10-14ml                        Every 2-4 hours
    not squeeze the bottle as this may force too                http://www.kittenlady.org/bottlefeeding/
    much formula into the kitten’s mouth at
    one time. If using a syringe, use a very slow          5. Gently pat the kitten on the back to help it
    and measured pace as you press on the                     work out any excess air, much like burping a
    plunger, making sure again that you do not                baby but you may not hear an actual burp.
    force too much formula into the kitten’s               6. STIMULATE AND CLEAN- Stimulate urina-
    mouth.                                                    tion/defecation using a soft cloth, cotton
•   If the kitten does not latch on right away,               ball, or Kleenex. Gently dab rectum and
    don’t give up! Some kittens may be too                    genital area until kitten urinates and/or def-
    weak to latch, or will require a few feedings             ecates. Urine should be clear to light yellow
    to really understand what to do. Wiggling                 in color and occur at every feeding. Feces at
    the nipple back and forth in their mouth can              this stage should occur 1-2 times a day. It
    help stimulate them to latch on. If they are              should be well formed and mustard yellow
    chewing on the nipple and seem receptive                  in color. If your kitten hasn’t defecated in
    to feeding, slowly trickle formula into their             the last 1-2 days, let foster department
    mouth and make sure they are swallowing.                  know immediately.
    You may not get a full meal in, but you will
    likely get enough food in them to keep them
    going until the next feeding time.
•   A full meal will usually be 3-9ml per feed
    (see chart for age specific guidelines), de-
    pending on the size of the kitten. Kittens
    will usually turn their head to the side when
    full, but some will continue to eat as long as
    food is available, so stop feeding around the
    suggested maximum amount per feeding to
    avoid overeating.
                                                                  http://www.kittenlady.org/stimulating

                                                      17
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                             Department: Ops/Foster
                                                             Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                             Revision #: 03.2020
                                                             Created: March 2019
                                                             Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                       Feeding Your Foster Kittens: Based on Age
                                   Age        4+ weeks
             Weaning from bottle (formula) to other foods usually takes place during the 3-5
               week age range. This can be a very difficult time due to the possibility of back-
               sliding: a kitten who appears to be learning and making the switch from milk/
               formula to eating gruel/wet food is not actually getting enough food on their
              own or may even stop eating suddenly. Feedings can occur every 4-8 hours de-
             pending on how much the kitten is eating on their own. Kittens will begin wean-
             ing with gruel– a mixture of canned food and formula, eventually working in dry
              food and decreasing the amount of formula in mixture. During this time kittens
               may need syringe feeding to subsidize what they are able to eat on their own,
               or to “prime the pump” and get them started eating. It is important to be ex-
              tremely vigilant during this process as only a day or two of insufficient nutrition
              can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, illness, and Fading Kitten Syndrome (see
              page 22, for more info on this). Begin offering water at all times if kitten is mo-
              bile. You will still need to stimulate your kitten as they wean and progress into
                                               using a litter box.

                                              Items You’ll need
                           Syringes (varying sizes)
                           Canned food (KITTEN specific)
                           KMR– Powder, not the liquid that is sold in cans                      Always store
                           Royal Canin Mom and Baby Cat dry food                                 unused KMR
                           Purina Pro Plan Kitten dry food                                      powder in the
                                                                                               fridge or freezer
                           Low sided dishes
                                                                                               to keep it fresh!
Return to Kitten           Scale

Milestone Chart            Cotton ball /soft cloth
                           Timer/Alarm clock

                                                      18
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                                   Department: Ops/Foster
                                                                   Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                                   Revision #: 03.2020
                                                                   Created: March 2019
                                                                   Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator

Steps-
1. CHECK KITTEN- Make sure the kitten is warm,               3. PREPARE KITTEN– You can hold the kitten in
   and not chilled. Use a warmie or hold the kitten             your lap or sit near the kitten while they eat.
   close to your body until it warms up. At this                Be prepared for the kitten, the floor, and even
   age, kittens are beginning to thermoregulate,                you to get messy! Learning to eat is a fun, but
   but may still need a little help. A chilly kitten            messy process. You can gently stroke the
   will not be able to eat and feeding them while               kitten with a soft toothbrush during feeding
   they are cold can have serious health conse-                 times to simulate grooming the mother would
   quences. The energy needed to metabolize the                 do while they eat.
   food may not be readily available when they
   are cold, which means food may just sit in their                          Gruel Ratio Chart
   stomach undigested and cause issues. Their
   ability to swallow may also be weakened so           Canned 1/2 can              1 can        1.5 cans     2 cans
   there is a greater risk of aspiration. If your              (1.5oz)              (3oz)        (4.5oz)      (6oz)
                                                        food
   kitten is cold and you are worried that it has
   not eaten in a very long time, put some honey        KMR           1/3 tsp       3/4 tsp      1 1/2—       2tsp
   or syrup on its gums to help boost blood sugar
   while you work on warming it up.
2. PREPARE GRUEL– Gruel is a mixture of canned
   kitten food and KMR, mixed to varying degrees
   of liquid to chunky depending on the kitten’s
   age and eating ability. Each kitten should get
   about 1/2 can of canned food each at each
   feeding. See chart for suggested canned food
   to KMR ratios. Begin with a thin gruel, adding
   more warm water as needed to make it thin
   enough for them to lap from a small plate or
   low bowl. As your kitten progresses, make the
   gruel chunkier by adding more canned food
   and less KMR/water until you are feeding only
   wet food. As your kitten grows and masters
   eating gruel, you can mix a little Purina Pro Plan
   kitten food or Royal Canin Mom and Baby Cat
   dry food in with the gruel so that they begin to                      http://www.kittenlady.org/feeding/
   learn what dry food feels like.

                                                        19
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                                 Department: Ops/Foster
                                                                 Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                                 Revision #: 03.2020
                                                                 Created: March 2019
                                                                 Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator

4. OFFERING FOOD– Make sure gruel is offered on a            5. STIMULATE AND CLEAN- Stimulate urination/
small plate or low sided dish. Kitten eye sight at this      defecation using a soft cloth, cotton bowl, or
age is poor. Using low sided dishes makes it easier for      Kleenex. Gently dab rectum and genital area until
them to find the food and will help reduce the               kitten urinates and/or defecates. Urine should be
amount of time they spend gnawing on the side of             clear to light yellow in color and occur at every
the bowl. You can use your finger, a spoon, or sy-           feeding. Feces at this stage should occur 1-2
ringe to offer some gruel to the kitten and peak their       times a day. It should be well formed and mustard
interest. If kitten does not seem interested in food at      yellow in color. Depending on the age of your
all, try warming the gruel up in the microwave.              kitten, they may be exploring using a litter box
Warming the food increases the aroma and may help            while weaning! Monitor urine and feces, and
entice a kitten to eat, especially if they are suffering     don’t be afraid to jump in and stimulate your
from a URI and are congested. If a kitten will not try       kitten if they are struggling to grasp using the
the gruel, make sure the gruel is thin and draw up a         litter box. If your kitten hasn’t defecated in the
small amount in a syringe. You can try “priming the          last 1-2 days, let foster department know imme-
pump” by “force” feeding, gently, a small amount of          diately.
gruel. Sometimes just a few ml of gruel, introduced
via syringe will encourage the kitten’s appetite. If the
kitten does not begin to readily attempt to eat after a
few ml, you can offer 3-9ml (depending on size of
kitten) via syringe. If your kitten is just beginning the
transition from bottle to gruel, top off each meal with
formula as needed. DO NOT regress back to bottle
feeding if your kitten has already started the weaning
process. Regressing back to the bottle will cause your
kitten to backslide! Be patient and willing to try
different ways of helping your kitten eat, and contact
the foster department if you are struggling.

                                                                      http://www.kittenlady.org/stimulating

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SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                            Department: Ops/Foster
                                            Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                            Revision #: 03.2020
                                            Created: March 2019
                                            Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
               Weighing your Kitten
           It is important for you to track your kitten’s weight while they are in
          foster. Refer to pages 4-5 for the estimated weight of a kitten in each
          age group. Kittens will begin at different weights, and may gain faster
          or slower than their siblings or other kittens you have fostered in the
             past. The main thing you are looking for is consistent weight gain.
              Stagnation or loss of weight could signal an underlying issue and
            should be addressed immediately. You should aim to weigh kittens
           twice daily until they reach 6 weeks of age (once in the morning and
            once in the evening aiming for the same time each day) so that you
           are familiar with their personal growth pattern and can identify any
          stagnation or loss as soon as possible. Kittens 6 weeks or older can be
          weighed daily, or at least a few times throughout the week. Alert the
             foster department immediately if you notice stagnation or loss of
            weight in your kitten(s), including details such as feeding schedule,
           amount they typically eat in a feeding, energy, any vomiting or diar-
          rhea, and if they are dehydrated- Refer to page 25 for how to assess
                                          hydration.
          You can keep track of their weight however works best for you. Below
                      is an example of a chart that could be used.

Date:                   Time of weighing:           Weight:
2/28/19                 11:00am                     1lb 2oz

                    Click here to go to Printable
                    Kitten Weight Chart on page
                                 28.

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SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                                Department: Ops/Foster
                                                                Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                                Revision #: 03.2020
                                                                Created: March 2019
                                                                Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                                      Fading Kitten Syndrome

                                  “Fading kitten syndrome is not a single
                                 entity; rather, it describes a large number
                                   of problems and conditions that can
                                  cause death in young kittens” (Dr. Eric
                                           Barchas, Catster 2018).

Kittens will sometimes get sick and/or die, seemingly without warning. While it may appear to have hap-
pened without cause, there has usually been some problem building gradually in the background, difficult to
detect until it has reached a crisis level. Once in crisis, kittens unfortunately usually have a poor prognosis,
though some may pull through with prompt emergency care. The early detection of problems before they
reach crisis level whenever possible is the best way to avoid a kitten developing fading kitten syndrome.
  Symptoms– Kittens will often display similar symptoms with fading kitten syndrome no matter the cause
                                         •   Lethargy (usually extreme)
                                              •   Low body temp
                 •   Pale gums/tacky skin/dehydration (Know this is discussed in detail later)
                        •   Low respiratory rate or very rapid respiratory rate, gasping
                                  •   Failure to nurse or eat (age dependent)

                                                       22
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                              Department: Ops/Foster
                                                              Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                              Revision #: 03.2020
                                                              Created: March 2019
                                                              Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                               Fading Kitten Syndrome cont’d

What to do– If you notice a kitten exhibiting any of the above symptoms, alert the foster department imme-
 diately. The kitten will require veterinary care and the foster department will advise you on what to do.
    There are some things you can do while at home to support the kitten until help can be provided
•    Warm the kitten up: Place a blanket on a heating pad or warmie and place the kitten on the blanket. If
     the kitten is not yet mobile and has been laying on the heating pad for too long, it may be overheating
                             and you will need to move it away from the heat source
 •   Place a drop of honey or syrup on its gums; this will provide an immediate blood sugar spike during a
                             time when the kitten may be too weak or cold to eat

                                          Items You’ll need
                               Warmie or heating pad
                               Blanket
                               Honey or syrup

                                                     23
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                                          Department: Ops/Foster
                                                                          Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                                          Revision #: 03.2020
                                                                          Created: March 2019
                                                                          Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                                   Fading Kitten Syndrome Cont’d
The symptoms of Fading Kitten Syndrome can be linked to a large number of problems and are often the cul-
mination of multiple problems building together. This is in no way an all inclusive list, but just a few of the
possible problems that can lead to crisis.
Inadequate Mothering( By the feline mother)- This is considered one of the leading risk factors for fading
kitten syndrome. Kittens that have been orphaned are at greater risk as they are not receiving the benefits of
mom’s milk and care. Kittens who are still with their mother may be at a higher risk if mom is inexperienced,
not producing enough milk, not letting the kittens nurse, stressed, or malnourished. Mom can also acci-
dentally lay or sit on a kitten.
Trauma– Possible causes could be when a kitten falls from a height or gets crushed, such as being stepped on
or sat on (see above).
Hypothermia– While also a symptom of Fading Kitten Syndrome, this can be a cause as well. This can occur
when a kitten is separated from its mother and/or litter in a chilly environment. If caring for a singlet kitten,
this can happen when they are not placed where they have easy access to heat and will hold the warmth in.
Young kittens are not able to generate their own body heat until around 4 weeks of age. A cold kitten will be
less able and likely to nurse and could suffer the consequences of not eating enough.
Low Blood Sugar/Anorexia- A kitten that has gone too long between feedings or has not been eating enough
to sustain itself at each feeding may suffer from low blood sugar. The longer they go without eating an ade-
quate amount, the more at risk they are.
Infectious organisms– Whether bacterial, viral, or parasitic, kittens are at risk of infection, and this risk is
greater if the kitten was unable to nurse from mom initially. They may have missed out on receiving im-
portant antibodies that would help protect them from infection that are passed to kittens during the first
few feedings after birth (Dr. Ernest Ward, VCA 2009).
Hereditary defects– This can range from heart irregularities to undeveloped immune systems. We are unfor-
tunately not always able to detect a defect.

                           - https://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/affordable-vet-care-for-your-cat

                                                              24
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                                             Department: Ops/Foster
                                                                             Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                                             Revision #: 03.2020
                                                                             Created: March 2019
                                                                             Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
      Checking your Kitten’s Hydration– How to tell if your kitten may be
                                dehydrated
                   Whether your kitten has diarrhea (see page 26), is vomiting, or is just
                   overall not doing well– you may be asked to assess whether or not they
                   seem hydrated by foster staff. There are two “easy” ways to check for de-
                   hydration.
                   1. Gently pinch the kitten’s skin over the shoulders, (the scruff). If the skin
                   springs back slowly, (takes more than one second), the kitten may be de-
                   hydrated

                                https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/assessing-patient-hydration

                   2. Gently pick up the kitten’s lip to check the gum line. Gums should be
                   pink and moist. If not (ie. pale and tacky), the kitten may be dehydrated

                         https://www.pet-happy.com/would-you-know-if-your-cat-is-dehydrated/

  If you believe your kitten is dehydrated, contact the foster department immediately. Your kitten will most
likely need to come to the shelter for an exam and treatment. Treatment will often include subcutaneous or
 IV fluids, as well as other possible treatments to treat other underlying problems that may have lead to the
                                dehydration or are a product of the dehydration.

                                                                25
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                                 Department: Ops/Foster
                                                                 Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                                 Revision #: 03.2020
                                                                 Created: March 2019
                                                                 Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator
                                          The Scoop on Poop
Diarrhea
can come in all consistencies, colors, and even smells! Alert the fos-
ter department when you first see loose stools. Any detail you can
provide will help us identify the best way to help you and your
kitten. This can mean sending pictures, or even just describing what
you see and smell. Based on what you tell us, we will determine if
your kitten needs medication or should come in for an exam/testing
and treatment.
   When did it start?
   How often is your kitten defecating or trying to defecate?
   What is the consistency (use fecal scoring chart on page 27)
   What is the color?                       “Squash it”: Canned pumpkin is something that is easy to
   Does it have a strong smell?             have on hand. This may be one of the first things we sug-
                                             gest when you initially report diarrhea, but there are
   How are appetite and energy?             some guidelines to dosing pumpkin! When you let the fos-
   Has there been any vomiting?             ter department know you are seeing loose stools, if we
                                             advise trying pumpkin we will advise how much each
   How is hydration? (See page 25)
                                             “dose” should be based on the size of the kitten. It is im-
                                             portant we know when pumpkin has been tried as a treat-
                                             ment for loose stools so we can track what has and has
                                             not worked.
                                             •   Give 3 doses, with 4-10 hours between. If loose stools
                                                 are not better by the third dose, do not continue.
                                             •   If loose stools do firm-up, either within the 3 doses or
                                                 by the end of the dosing, stop administering. If you
                                                 continue when it is firmed, pumpkin will loosen the
                                                 stools again. It works both ways!
                                             •   Dose as a medication – through a syringe for control
                                                 of quantity. It does not work as well when mixed with
                                                 food.

                                                      26
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                            Department: Ops/Foster
                                                            Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                            Revision #: 03.2020
                                                            Created: March 2019
                                                            Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator

https://www.proplanveterinarydiets.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/PPPVD-Fecal-Scoring-Chart-EN-FINAL.pdf

                                                  27
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                          Department: Ops/Foster
                                          Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                          Revision #: 03.2020
                                          Created: March 2019
                                          Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator

Date:         Time of weighing: Weight:                Observations
Ex. 2/28/19   11:00am          1lb 2oz                 Great appetite and energy!

                                 28
SOP: Kitten Care Guidebook
                                                               Department: Ops/Foster
                                                               Implementation Date: 03.23.19

                                                               Revision #: 03.2020
                                                               Created: March 2019
                                                               Author: Jenn Mueller– Foster Care Coordinator

Barchas, D. E. (2018). What Is Fading Kitten Syndrome and Why Do So Many Foster Kittens Die From It? Re-
       trieved from Catster: What Is Fading Kitten Syndrome and Why Do So Many Foster Kittens Die From
       It?
Brown, J. (2018). 9 Ways to Find Affordable Vet Care for your Cat. Retrieved from Catster: https://
      www.catster.com/cat-health-care/affordable-vet-care-for-your-cat
DVM, E. W. (2009). Kitten- Raising Kittens. Retrieved from VCA Hospitals: https://vcahospitals.com/know-
      your-pet/kitten-raising-kittens
Munkevics, M. (2014). Would you Know if your Cat was Dehydrated. Retrieved from Pet-Happy: https://
     www.pet-happy.com/would-you-know-if-your-cat-is-dehydrated/
Purina. (n.d.). Purina Fecal Scoring Chart. Retrieved from ProPlan Veterinary Diets: https://
        www.proplanveterinarydiets.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/PPPVD-Fecal-Scoring-Chart-EN-
        FINAL.pdf
Rainbolt, D. (2014, April). Ask Einstein: How Do You Bottle Feed and Orphan Kitten? Retrieved from Catster:
       https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-kitten-health-care-bottle-feeding-orphan-ask-einstein
Rescue, K. (2009). Sexing The Kitten. Retrieved from Kitten Rescue: http://www.kitten-rescue.com/
       sexing_the_kitten.html
Rudolph, L. W. (2016). Assessing Patient Hydration. Retrieved from Clinicians Brief: https://
      www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/assessing-patient-hydration
Shaw, H. (2018). Bottle Feeding. Retrieved from Kitten Lady: http://www.kittenlady.org/bottlefeeding/
Shaw, H. (2018). Feeding Kittens. Retrieved from Kitten Lady: http://www.kittenlady.org/feeding/
Shaw, H. (2018). Stimulating Kittens. Retrieved from Kitten Lady: http://www.kittenlady.org/stimulating
Shaw, H. (2018). Weaning Kittens. Retrieved from Kitten Lady: http://www.kittenlady.org/weaning

    Special thanks to all Foothills Animal Shelter Foster Families for their amazing pictures and constant
                                           patience with our kittens.
          Thank you to Tance and Susan for your amazing input on the creation of this guidebook!

                                                       29
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