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Rescued kittens: How to age, feed, wean, and treat their eye problems?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Male | unneutered | 1 month and 30 days old

I could use some help figuring out the aprox age of these kittens so I know how often to feed them formula and when to start weaning them. The third kitten also has some potential blindness issues and there may be eye infections in all three of them? They were feral kittens abandoned by their mother cat and recently rescued in to our home so we're trying to do the best we can with them until their vet appt on Thursday!

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Emily, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 31st, 2017

Usually the teeth help us decide how old a kitten is but I'd estimate them to be ~5 weeks old. If they have teeth you can offer wet kitten food (free choice/out all the time) and water for now until you see your veterinarian Thursday
At this time keep their eyes clean by wiping away any discharge with a warm moist washcloth until your veterinarian can take a close look at them.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Rebecca, DVM
Veterinarian
Thanks for rescue these babies. If they have teeth they can eat solid food. Get a high quality kitten food- iams has canned and dry. Make sure it's for kittens. See if they can eat dry kibble but if not may need to soften in. For now frequent warm compresses to clean the gunk from thier eyes. Once seen at the vet they will likely need medications. If they don't take well to the kitten food immediate, get some KMR
Brand milk replacer and mix that as directed and see if they will lap that. Then mix with the diet you are trying to transition them to. At the vet visit they will probably test for feline leukemia, check for parasites and do an overall health exam. Good luck and thanks for helping them.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Without seeing these kittens in person it is hard to say for certain. If you are able to look into their mouths at their teeth or weigh them, then that can be helpful in determining exact age. These kittens look like they are at the age when they should be weaning, I would guess at least 5 weeks old.

Here are some helpful resources that may help you out:
http://aspcapro.org/blog/2014/07/03/tip-week-4-ways-tell-kittens-age

http://bestfriends.org/stories-blog-videos/latest-news/how-care-orphaned-kittens-determining-their-age

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=576

As far as their eyes go, use a warm clean washcloth to remove any discharge that accumulates on the lids several times a day to prevent it from irritating the eyelids.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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I found 4-week-old kittens. What should I feed them and how often?

You can feed them canned kitten food mixed with an appropriate kitten milk replacer, such as KMR. Mix them to make a gruel or slurry. Have them examined by your veterinarian to diagnose and treat any pre-existing conditions and to deworm them. The deworming should be repeated every weeks for 3 treatments. Once they are about 8 weeks old, you can discuss vaccines or begin to rehome them.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Found a litter of kittens with eyes opening. How old are they?

These are about three weeks old, and they look cute and healthy. If they are eating kitten canned or moistened dry food that age is about right. Younger kittens still only drink milk. If you are feeding them milk please use kitten milk replacer as it is made for kittens and they will not have diarrhea or an upset stomach with it. They should be fed four to six times a day. I'd offer them solid foods as soon as possible so feeding them is easier. I start with the milk replacer and mix it with some kitten canned and see if they will lick it off your finger. Once they get eating it you can teach them to lick it off a flat plate. Use a damp cloth to wipe around under their tails to stimulate them to pee and poop. I start having a litter pan around 3-4 weeks old. Please bring them to the veterinarian at six weeks to start deworming and vaccinations. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

I found 3-week-old kittens without a mom. How do I care for them?

They need to be fed about every 4-6 hours. If they are eating kitten food then you do not have to worry about milk and bottle feeding. Make sure they stay warm. They are old enough to be dewormed. The one kitten appears to have a discharge from the eyes, this may be a sign of a respiratory infection which is common in kittens. I would have them checked by the vet for medicine before it affects their appetite and spreads to all of them

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My 3-week-old kitten has eye discharge, is shaky, and bites. What to do?

How lovey of you to rescue Zaytoune! I would have him seen by a vet asap. He does sound ill if he has discharge next to his nose and eyes, and it can be a sign of respiratory infection. Young kittens are extremely fragile, so it's important to have any problem with them checked out right away by a vet. You are doing the right thing by keeping him warm, and I would check out this website for further information on how to care for him: http://www.2ndchance.info/orphankitten.htm By the time Zaytoune is four weeks old, you can start weaning him onto solid food. To do this, I would soak a high quality kitten formulated dry food in warm water until soft. Then mix that with kitten formula such as KMR to make a mush the consistency of oatmeal. Over the next two weeks, gradually increase the amount of dry kitten food and decrease the amount of water and KMR you use until he is eating the dry kitten food only.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My rescued kittens have eye/nose infections. Can I treat them at home?

They most likely have upper respiratory infections (URI) and will need antibiotics (both oral and topical in the eyes). If you are going to adopt/rescue kittens you need to be able to afford veterinary care. They are going to need vaccines, deworming and to be spayed/neutered as well. So, if you can't afford their treatment you should consider relinquishing them to the local Humane Society so they can get treated. This is not something you can treat at home, I'm sorry to say. All that being said, there are many low cost/affordable vet clinics in your area (based on the zip code you provided) so if you really want to keep them then find a clinic and get them treated. You may have to drive closer to Tampa. I know ACT has a regular vet clinic as well as spay/neuter/vaccination services. ( https://actampa.org/about-our-clinic/ ) ( https://www.plannedpethoodpasco.com/ ) ( http://newtampapet.com/ )

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

How to help a weak, emaciated rescued kitten survive and thrive?

I would recommend having the kitten checked out by a vet. It likely needs to be tested for intestinal parasites (worms and coccidia are common), get started on vaccinations, and be evaluated for congenital issues. It is old enough to go on kitten food, so I would mix kitten milk replacer with wet kitten food. You can also use a nutritional supplement like NutriCal. If it has any fleas, use an age appropriate flea preventative as fleas can cause anemia in tiny kittens. Pet probiotics are also a good idea. Here is a link to a chart on aging kitten teeth: http://www.ruralareavet.org/PDF/Physical_Exam-How_to_Determine_Age.pdf And here is a link to raising orphan kittens: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=576

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My tiny kitten has teeth. When can I start weaning her and how?

Eve is so cute! If her eyes are open and her teeth are coming in, she is at least three weeks of age. You can start weaning her now. To help her wean and to get used to dry food, I would soak a high quality kitten formulated dry food in warm water until soft. Then mix that with kitten formula such as KMR to make a mush the consistency of oatmeal. Over the next two weeks, gradually increase the amount of dry kitten food and decrease the amount of water and KMR you use until she is eating the dry kitten food only. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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