Caring for orphaned newborn kittens is very much like caring for a human baby. It takes round the clock effort, but it can be done if you are willing to put in the time and dedication, especially during the first few weeks of their lives. You have to create a safe environment for them. Newborn kittens cuddle up with their mother and siblings to stay warm. Without family around, you have to take care of that yourself and make sure the kittens are not hypothermic or hyperthermic. They cannot control their body temperature, so help them regulate it. To provide a steady but mild heat source to cold kittens, take a paper box, bag or crate and put inside towels or blanket and a heating pad or a water bottle filled with lukewarm (not hot!) water. Kittens need constant feeding to stay nourished and should be bottle-fed. You will need to purchase kitten milk replacer, sold at most pet stores. Be prepared to get up throughout the night for the feedings. During the first week of life, they need to be fed about every two to three hours. After that, you can usually stretch it out to every four hours. Next step is to visit a veterinarian for a check-up, deworming and their vaccination schedule. Always remember that kittens, apart from proper environment and feedings, need to feel your love, caring and warmth to help them grow.
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