| When the kittens are between seven and ten days | | | | Kittens will keep warm by snuggling up together with |
| old, their eyes should open. If they do not, gently | | | | the queen. In cooler climates, you may want to give |
| blot them with cotton balls dipped in warm water | | | | them some extra warmth by providing them with a |
| until they do. Very often, the opening of the eyes | | | | heated cat bed. |
| will be accompanied be creamy looking matter, which | | | | The mother will clean the kittens and consume their |
| should be gently cleaned away. | | | | urine and excrement until the kittens start using the |
| Eye infections can be common in kittens, so check | | | | litter pan. This usually happens when they are |
| the eyes often, and administer any eye ointment | | | | introduced to semi solid food at three to four weeks |
| your veterinarian may have prescribed and repeat | | | | of age, although this will vary depending on the |
| the bathing process regularly. Aside from changing | | | | kitten's health and size, and on whether the mother |
| the queen's bedding, feeding her and making sure the | | | | still has a good supply of milk. |
| kitten's eyes are clean, there is very little to do for | | | | Feed weaning kittens a good quality dry kitten food |
| the next two to three weeks. | | | | moistened with water. If the worst happens and |
| It is a good idea to pick the kittens up every day, | | | | your queen dies during delivery, or if she has a |
| turn them over on their backs and stroke their | | | | Cesarean section to aid in delivery, you may have to |
| stomachs. This not only accustoms them to being | | | | become the kittens' mother, and you will need to |
| handled but is also an opportunity to check their | | | | take extra care. |
| health. | | | | Orphan kittens need an additional source of heat, |
| By holding the kittens up to your face you can tell if | | | | such as a heating pad or infrared lamp, and must be |
| they smell. The healthy kitten will have absolutely no | | | | kept away from drafts. |
| odor, while the kitten with a health problem will. | | | | |