3 Ways to Hold Newborn Kittens (2024)

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Co-authored byBrian Bourquin, DVM

Last Updated: September 16, 2021Approved

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   Leave the mother cat to rest for about 2 hours if she’s just given birth. Don't try to touch her or move her during this time. The mother will most likely be very protective and aggressive. This is a sign that she’s not ready for you to approach.

   • The mother and kittens should be in a warm, enclosed space. If you’ve stumbled across a feral mother cat and her kittens place a box with blankets nearby. She may choose to move there with her kittens. Do not force a feral mother and her kittens into the box.^[1]
   • After 2 hours, check in on the mother and the kittens. The kittens should all be born and clean by now. Examine their movements. Make sure they’re all breathing.
   • If you’re unsure how long it’s been since the kittens were born, wait for the mother cat to interact with the kittens before approaching them. If she’s grooming them, walking around and doesn’t hiss when you approach, she’s may be ready for you to handle the kittens.
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   Wash your hands before handling the kittens. Contrary to popular belief, a mother cat will not abandon her kittens if they’re touched by a human. However, kittens don’t have strong immune systems, so you have to be careful about spreading germs. Make sure your hands are clean each time you interact with the kittens and mother.^[2]

   • You’ll also want to wash your hands after dealing with kittens, especially if they’re feral.
   • If you have other pets or small children, you’re more likely to spread germs kittens could be sensitive to. It may be best to wear gloves when handling your newborn kittens for the first week.
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   Pet the kittens to see if the mother is ready for you to move them. Bring your hand close to the kittens head and let it get acquainted with your smell. If the mother hisses, leave the kitten alone, but continue to stay close and visit the kittens regularly. Leave food nearby so the mother understands that you don’t mean harm. Interact with the mother and kittens for 30 minutes a day so they get comfortable with you. This process can take up to 2 weeks. If the mother is familiar with you, it may go faster.^[3]

   • Don’t rush this process. As long as the cats are in a clean, warm, safe space near their mother, you shouldn’t need to touch or move them.
   • If you have children or other pets, keep them away from the mother and kittens. Kittens are incredibly fragile.

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   Confirm the kittens are actually abandoned. The mother could be gathering food or hiding from you. She’ll be upset if you move her kittens while she’s away. Look for paw prints to see if the mother has walked away. Check to see if the kittens are clean. If they are, they’re most likely being cared for. Watch the litter over a few hours to see if the mother returns. However, if you’ve found a single kitten away from its litter, rescue it immediately.^[4]

   • Observe the kittens for 1-2 hours before attempting to move them.
   • If the kittens aren’t moving much or seem to be ill, call a veterinarian right away.
   • If you can’t stay nearby, leave a ring of sawdust around the litter. When you come back later, see if there are any paw prints leading to or from the litter. This could mean the mother returned and left while you were gone.
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   Insulate a cardboard box with blankets to transport the kittens. If you plan on moving the kittens, you’ll need a safe way to get them around. The box should be large enough to fit all of them without crowding them, but small enough to keep them all warm. Keep this box nearby as you start to pick up the kittens.^[5]

   • Kittens aren’t likely to play with toys, so there’s no need to put any in the box.
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   Wash your hands once you’ve decided to move the kittens. Mother cats don’t abandon their kittens if humans touch them, so if the mother does return, they’ll be okay. Still, kittens have weak immune systems and need to be protected from illness. Make sure you don’t spread any germs by washing your hands.^[6]

   • You’ll also want to wash your hands after touching feral or abandoned kittens.

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   Stay close to the mother if she’s around. Now that she’ll let you touch them, see if any kittens feel particularly skinny or cold. They may need medical help. If all of the kittens seem clean and healthy, they’re ready to be picked up. To avoid hurting the kittens, make sure they’re relatively still before you try to pick them up. They’ll move as you touch a little when you touch them, but if they squirm or try to avoid your hand, leave them alone.^[7]

   • Sit down to reduce the chances of the kitten getting injured if it falls.
   • The mother won’t abandon them if you touch them, so it’s okay to pick up the kittens for an examination and put them back with their mother if you don’t intend to move them.
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   Slide your hand under the kitten's stomach and feet. Keep your hand there for a moment to get your kitten used to the feeling of being supported.^[8]

   • If your kitten seems uncomfortable or attempts to get away, let it go. Don’t force your kitten to stay in your hand.
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   Pinch the scruff of the kitten's neck with your other hand lightly. Hold it by the neck while still supporting its back legs. If the kitten struggles, then let it go. Try to pick up another kitten in the meantime.^[9]

   • Use light pressure, it shouldn’t be more than a pinch.
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   Lift the kitten slowly and put your hand underneath its back legs. Position the kitten so that you’re supporting the back legs while its front legs rest on your chest. If the kitten seems uncomfortable or is making a lot of noise, put it down.^[10]

   • Your kitten should feel secure in your hand, don’t let it tip too far forward or backward.
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   Release its neck and place that hand under the kitten's front legs. Bring the kitten’s front legs towards your chest and hold them there.^[11]

   • Make sure the kitten has enough space to breathe, but isn’t able to wiggle away from you or fall.
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   Move the hand supporting the kitten's back sideways against your chest. Remove the hand holding its front legs. In this position, most of the weight of the kitten should be on your chest. Kittens are small and should be able to fit in the palm of your hand. Keeping the kitten against your chest is a good way to ensure it’s supported and comfortable.^[12]

   • Be careful not to tilt the kitten to far forward or back.
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   Place your kitten’s back legs in your hand when you’re ready to put it down. Place its front paws against your chest. You and the kitten should be facing each other. The kitten should feel supported and fit in the palm of one of your hands.^[13]

   • Make sure the kitten feels secure and can't move around, but still has space to breathe comfortably. Make sure its back is well supported.
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   Put your free hand on its back for support. Let the kitten move onto the palm of the hand that is holding its back legs. Pick it up by the scruff of the neck, place your other hand underneath its stomach, and slowly put it back down.^[14]

   • Do this a for 30 minutes a day so the kittens continue to get used to you.
   • It’s normal for kittens to crawl back to their mothers after they’ve been put back down.^[15]

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