Need help with orphaned kitten's sleep time..

[neko paws]

Hello..

My girlfriend and I are caring for a young orphaned kitten..he's about three weeks old now (just started teething). I'd like to know if anybody has a little advice on how his sleeping arrangement should be. During the day, he sleeps on a nice warm lap..but at night, we're unsure of how to make certain he's properly heated and comfortable. Would a heating light clamped over his bed-box be suitable?

Thanks!

[Tina B and crew]

Hi...yes a heat lamp would work just fine...but do remember that soon he will start trying to climb out so make sure the sides of the box are high enough that he can't get out or there is some sore of ventilated cover on the box. I usually keep my kittens in either a carrier or a plastic picnic type basket with several layers of soft towels and baby blankets on the bottom. I don't have a heat lamp so I use a heat pad, placed under the basket, not in it, on low.

You will find some info on kitten care here:

http://www.cathelp-online.com/health2kittens.html

[Traci]

Would a heating light clamped over his bed-box be suitable?

I NEVER recommend heating lamps, they put off much too much heat for a tiny kitten. If the lamp is placed too close, kitten could get seriously burned by the intense heat or suffer internal body core temperature elevation (resulting in a fever). Also, tiny kittens are curious, the last thing you want is him reaching up to touch it or playing with the cord.

I suggest buying him a kitty bed (relatively cheap at any pet store), or simply providing him a box with fleece for lining. Fleece retains body heat, most pets love it. If you get a kitty bed for him, he will associate it as a comfort item as he grows, it's a good investment. Keep the bed away from cold or drafty areas.

[Auntie Debbie]

In addition to the Kittens page on the board, there are further links under the Feline section of my website (Debbie's Feline Health) just under Favorites in the menu section on the left side of the board. Look under "Kittens" and "Kittening".
Good luck with the little ones, and please keep us updated, ok?

[neko paws]

Thanks for such helpful responses, everybody!

I've got a heating pad on low beneath (not in) the kitten's bedbox, now, and the kitten care pages bookmarked. He's quite happy there, now, when we need to do our sleep here. Our little guy (at least we're told he's male) will get a nice catbed, too..my girlfriend works at Petsmart, so that employee discount's going to come in quite handy.

I have some pictures of him that I'll put up soon. I'll have to take new ones, though, because he's growing so quickly..his markings are already more defined and his whiskers are nice and long.

Anyways, I think I'll get to work with those kitty pictures..and thanks, again, everybody, for the friendly help!

[MA]

I always have the best luck with taking plastic pop bottles, filling them with hot water, wrapping them with warmed towels (from the dryer) and placing them in the vicinity of the kittens, but not so the bottles will roll and crush the little ones.- but this seems to work quite well.

If you use a human heating pad, it is not as effective as a pet pad is and could cause hot spots to occur and even burning.

[Mona]

I would not use a heating pad or lamp!! Burning could occur. I used a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel that is soft and not too hot for kitty, and get him a soft bed. Good luck with raising this precious little one. Mona

[neko paws]

Hello everybody!

Thanks for so many replies..got some warm towels in the dryer for our kitten, here. Day five of his care is going well, here. His teeth are coming in nicely and he's starting to walk all over..he should have a nice fleece bed by this evening. Right now, he's using my girlfriend's fleece pullover and some flannel sheets for blankets. It's amazing to me how much he can grow in just a few days..

Here're some kitten pictures..we took these yesterday or the day before, or so. More to come, soon..



<img src="http://www.angelfire.com/clone2/faithle ... nking2.JPG" border="0" />



<img src="http://www.angelfire.com/clone2/faithle ... towel1.JPG" border="0" />

[oconnorjoy]

He is adorable...looks pretty content drinking his bottle! I'm in love. What are you calling him?