Keeping kittens warm

[Autumn]

the kittens are in a bed with high sides so there's so drafts hitting the directly and I have the bed wrapped in a few blankets with a blanket inside. I have a heating pad that under that I turn on every once in awhile because the house is cold and I want to keep the bed warm but I'm wondering is there might be a better way to do this. I can't turn up the heat anymore but I'm still cold but me being a bit cool is less important that them being cold. So if you have any suggestions on how I might keep their little bed warm. Also the mother will not let the bed off the couch she will remove the kittens and put them back on the couch if I do (don't know if that makes a difference but since moving is not an option I think it would ) I'm not sure what to do because my other cats had their babies when it was warm Thanks

[Tambrey]

when I was handraising orphaned kittens from near birth (5 days old) I used soda bottles filled with hot water...not so hot that it burns, but hot to keep them warm, then I tucked those under the first layer of towels/blankets so the warmth of the water radiated in towards them...I lined the edges of the nest with the hot soda bottles...
of course, you need to change the water every couple of hours, even overnight, so it does not get cold, and in turn make them cold...

if you can get them to the vet, even if you have to set up a payment plan and find some part time work...raking yards and cleaning gardens will be busy work soon!

[Autumn]

but the soda bottles would take up room and their mother is still with them so she has to have room to get in there too I just need to be able to keep them warm when she gets out to take a break from kittens. Probably should have said that initially

[Tambrey]

can you maybe wrap an extra blanket around the bed, and drape it over the top, to hold some of the mom's body heat in when she leaves for a bit...

you are right...the kittens need to be kept warm...they cannot regulate their own body temperatures yet...

[Autumn]

I have a blanket around it and one draped over the opening the problem is I have to leave a larger than I like portion left open because my darling Pudge (the mommy) doesn't like it completely closed, she'll try to take the kittens out...she's the pickiest cat I've even had...but the blankets do keep the heat in alright but every once in awhile they get a bit cooler feeling than I feel comfortable with...so I was just hoping there was something a little more...reliable than blankets...if not I'll just have to get more :p because mommy does need her rest away from the kittens

[Tambrey]

I wonder...can you at least fit one soda bottle into one side?...it would radiate warmth to them...and if they wanted to, they could migrate closer to it...would that take up too much space for momma to get in as well?

[Autumn]

I can try it..though she does like to move around alot and hopefully it isn't one more thing she'll try to move them over she's so difficult >.< but I love her to death and it's mom's fault she got pregnant this young in the first place so I'm willing to try anything to keep her and the babies happy and healthy

How hot should it be...like bath water? like hot bath water? baby bath water? don't want it too hot or cold >.<

[Traci]

If you are using a heating pad in the nesting box, there is no need to add additional heating sources, save for keeping the box clear of any cold drafts.

Make sure the heating pad is under a blanket, and keep it on "low" settting", you can keep it on for the duration, it uses little resource on your electricty wattage. If the heating pad is not directly under a fairly heavy material (terry towel or blanket) and/or is used directly under a kitten, wetness (urination) may cause shock or electrocution! ALWAYS keep the heating pad under a blanket, and wash the heating pad cover as needed. The actual heating pad (the plastic) should be cleaned of any wetness, etc by wiping with a clean cloth.

You can turn off the heating pad if the kittens seem to be too warm, or if you notice them trying to move from the warmest spot in the box. Otherwise, the mother should be keeping them warm by laying with them and radiating her own body heat to them.

It is not necessary to drape a towel or anything over the box. As long as the box feels warm to your touch (the part of the blanket over the heating pad), the kittens should be staying warm enough while the mother is eating/litterbox duty, etc. (and again, as long as there is no draft in the room)

[Autumn]

I actuallt have the heating pad under the entire bed itself because I didn't know if actually putting it in there might make them too warm...but I don't leave it on long...just long enough to make the air warm inside...and sometimes it stays warm...but sometimes it cools off really fast...so it's confusing me >.<

[Traci]

Put a heavy, soft blanket inside the box. Then place the heating pad on top of the blanket. Cover the heating pad cord with part of the blanket. Next, put another heavy, soft blanket on top of the heating pad. The mother and kittens should be on top of this blanket. The mother will knead the blanket so that she is comfortable.

Check the heating pad. If it is a pad that is constantly on, (there should be an indicator light that is on at all times), then leave it on "low" setting.

If this is a heating pad that has an automatic shut-off (the indicator light will probably go off), then you will need to turn the setting back to on, or back to "low" again. Pay attention to when the indicator light goes off (if it does), as well as when the warmth seems to disappear, by the touch of your hand.