Postpartum Care: Queen & Kittens

Postpartum Care: Queen & Kittens


Care for the Mother Cat (Queen)

Environment & Daily Care

  • Provide a warm, quiet, private area with minimal noise and visitors.
  • Keep other pets away from the queen and her kittens.
  • Change bedding regularly to keep it clean, dry, and hygienic.
  • Place food, fresh water, and a litter tray close to the nesting area so the queen does not need to leave her kittens for long.
  • If the queen moves her kittens, do not interfere unless necessary. Instead, make the environment feel safer and more secure.

Nutrition During Lactation

  • Continue feeding a high-quality kitten food, as it provides the extra protein, fat, and calories needed for milk production.
  • Offer small, frequent meals throughout the day.
  • Ensure fresh drinking water is available at all times.

When to Contact a Veterinarian Immediately

Seek veterinary attention if the queen develops:

  • Vaginal bleeding or foul-smelling discharge.
  • Swollen, hot, painful mammary glands (mastitis).
  • A uterine prolapse (the uterus protruding from the body).
  • Loss of appetite, vomiting, excessive thirst, weakness, muscle twitching, or collapse.
  • Refusal to nurse or groom her kittens for prolonged periods.

Understanding Her Meowing

The queen may meow because:

  • She trusts you and wants reassurance or your presence.
  • She is hungry, thirsty, or needs a short break to eat or use the litter tray.
  • She is proudly showing you her kittens.

If the meowing is constant and accompanied by panting, lethargy, pain, or other signs of illness, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Newborn Kitten Care & Weekly Development

Key Basics

  • Keep newborn kittens warm. The nesting area should remain around 35–36°C, as newborn kittens cannot regulate their own body temperature.
  • Kittens should begin nursing within approximately 30 minutes after birth. Gently guide them to a nipple if necessary.
  • Avoid unnecessary handling during the first two weeks unless essential for health checks or weighing.
  • Weigh kittens daily to ensure they are gaining weight steadily.
Age Weight Range Key Milestones & Care
Newborn 50–150g Eyes and ears closed. Unable to stand. Require stimulation to urinate and defecate. Sleep approximately 20–22 hours per day.
Week 1 150–250g Umbilical cord falls off around day six. Eyes begin opening. Continue providing warmth.
Week 2 250–350g Eyes fully open and blue. Vision remains blurry. Begin taking unsteady steps. Weight should have approximately doubled.
Week 3 350–450g Ears stand upright. Incisor teeth erupt. Claws become retractable. Begin using the litter tray.
Week 4 450–550g Walking steadily. Can sit upright. Canine teeth appear. Introduce wet kitten food alongside nursing.
Week 5 550–650g Fully retractable claws. Eating wet food well. Increased independence and social play.
Week 6 650–750g Molars begin erupting. Vision and hearing are fully developed. First FVRCP vaccination is commonly recommended.
Week 7 750–850g Fully weaned. Eating four to five meals daily. Eye colour begins changing to its permanent adult colour.
Week 8 850–1000g Veterinary health check, deworming, vaccination booster if appropriate, and preparation for new homes.

Health & Safety Notes

Foods to Avoid

Avoid feeding kittens the following:

Difficult to Digest

  • Corn and grains
  • Carrots
  • Potatoes
  • Apples
  • Strawberries

Toxic Foods

  • Onion and garlic
  • Chocolate
  • Grapes and raisins
  • Citrus fruits
  • Raw eggs
  • Caffeine

Preventing Fading Kitten Syndrome

Watch carefully for:

  • Weakness
  • Low body temperature
  • Failure to nurse
  • Weight loss

If any of these signs occur, warm the kitten immediately, ensure it feeds, and seek veterinary advice without delay.

Long-Term Care

  • The queen can usually be spayed around eight weeks after giving birth, once the kittens are fully weaned and she has recovered.
  • Kittens can usually be neutered from four months of age to help prevent unwanted pregnancies.