What to do if you find kittens outside.

Kitten season is right around the corner. If you’ve heard the midnight yowls of cats in heat as the weather warms, chances are, you’ll see kittens in the coming months. Even if you don’t hear the cat calls, it’s important to know what to do if you find kittens outside.

Monitor the situation

Be on the lookout for the mom-cat. Kittens, especially ones under 8 weeks, are vulnerable without the protection and nourishment they receive from mom. Monitor the litter for a couple of hours before making any attempts to capture the kittens. It is likely the mom-cat is nearby. If she is not, then you will want to act quickly.

Assessment

Whether the mother cat is present or not, you’ll want to assess the condition of the litter. First, determine the age of the kittens. Then look for injuries, obvious signs of illness, and determine if the mother cat and kittens are “comfortable” with your approach, meaning no hissing, growling, swatting, or other defensive signs of aggression.

If you are comfortable handling the kittens and want to help by getting them spayed/neutered and vaccinated, here’s what you need to know:

• Kittens can be spayed or neutered as early as 8 weeks old, or if they weigh more than 2 pounds. Some spay/neuter clinics have different age requirements, so it is important to check with the clinic or veterinarian.
• Vaccines are a multi-step process that should start around 6 to 8 weeks with the FVRCP vaccination. At 9-11 weeks, the kitten requires the second round of FVRCP. Many veterinarians will recommend the FIV/FeLV vaccination at this point too. The third round of FVRCP and second round of FIV/FeLV vaccines are between 12 and 14 weeks old.

Vaccinating outdoor cats helps reduce the spread of disease in feral colonies, keeping owned pets, community cats, and other wildlife safe.

Have questions about a litter of kittens in your area? Give us a call! 844.336.2287, or Contact Us by selecting MetroCat from the form dropdown.