HAND REARING KITTENS
By Eileen Wyse
I have worked for the RSPCA now for 20 years , mainly with the animals I love most – cats .
In that time I have hand reared many kittens . It ’ s difficult to remember them all but some stick out like Luca , Lucus and Lewis , three grey and white kittens whose mother was hit by a car when they were three weeks old . Also Jamie and Oliver , two week old kittens left by themselves on a farm and little two day old Snowy found on someone ’ s driveway . He was all white with a little grey splodge on his head and he went on to have a happy loving home as did the others .
The ones I remember most are the ones I lost . Thankfully there weren ’ t many but I won ’ t forget them . The younger they are the more difficult it is to get them through . The first week of their lives they need feeding every two hours , even in the middle of the night , so sleep is disrupted . When they first come in I hope they will have their eyes open as this will mean they are at least 10 days old .
By six weeks they are everywhere ! Once they are active and eating and no longer wanting milk , they are ready to go back to the cattery , meet new people and start the next stage in their lives .
I am always sad to see them go but happy that they have made it through and are going to loving homes .
Eileen would have received her 20 year long service award during lockdown , but sadly had to miss it , so a big thank you and congratulations !
Most of them take to suckling the milk without too much trouble and weighing them daily is a good way to be sure they are doing well . They should put on about 100 grams a week .
It is so rewarding to see them grow and flourish . At just three weeks they are beginning to show more interest in surroundings and at four weeks they are starting to move around , be it very wobbly and are fun to watch . At five weeks they are a lot more mobile and will be using the litter tray themselves and showing an interest in eating solid food .
If you would like to foster kittens in need , please visit our volunteer page : www . rspca . org . uk / local / west-hatchanimal-centre / help / volunteer
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