Kitten Care Coach

19/05/2026

Top causes of diarrhea in bottle-fed kittens include:

• Formula issues
(improper mixing, hard-packed powder, sudden formula changes, overfeeding, underfeeding, spoiled formula)
→ support by correcting formula prep, feeding amounts, feeding schedule, and hydration

• Weaning/diet changes
→ support with slow transitions and kitten-appropriate foods

• Coccidia
→ requires specific anti-coccidia medication from a vet/rescue

• Worms/parasites
(roundworms, hookworms, giardia, etc)
→ requires appropriate deworming medications

• Bacterial infections or bacterial overgrowth in the gut
→ may require antibiotics and probiotics

• Viral infections
(feline coronavirus, panleukopenia, etc)
→ supportive care (fluids, warmth, nutrition, monitoring)

• Stress
(even stress from being rescued is tough on their bodies)
→ minimize stress, maintain warmth/routine, support hydration and nutrition

• Poor sanitation or contaminated feeding supplies
→ improve cleaning/disinfection practices and formula handling

• Antibiotics or medications disrupting gut bacteria
→ may improve with probiotics and supportive care

• Other systemic illness
→ requires veterinary evaluation and supportive care

Things like age, hydration, appetite, weight gain/loss, energy level, p**p color/consistency, blood/mucus, recent deworming, and exposure history all help narrow down the cause.

Unfortunately there is no one magic cure for kitten diarrhea because “diarrhea” itself is just a symptom, not a diagnosis. Every cause has a different way to support them.

Note: this is just something I wrote up quickly and not, by any means, an exhaustive list or causes NOR a replacement for veterinary care.

30/04/2025

Last week we posted our blog article about Cleaning and Disinfecting Foster Homes (https://zurl.co/cleaning ). This week, we wanted to follow up with our recorded webinar. Hosted by Susan Spaulding, AKA “Kitten Mom”, Cleaning and Sanitation for Kitten Caregivers, recorded Nov 2023, offers current protocols and best practices for cleaning and sanitation when handling and caring for kittens. Watch Now! https://zurl.co/sanitationwebinar

13/02/2025

🐱 Did you know? In a recent study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, researchers are studying whether thyroid problems from birth might be contributing to the heartbreaking condition of Fading Kitten Syndrome. Learn why understanding normal thyroid levels in kittens could help save these tiny lives! https://zurl.co/kWUgh

18/03/2024

As we begin a new kitten season in the US and other areas I want to, again, share this new information from UC Davis.

HEALTHY KITTENS DO NOT NEED TO BE FED EVERY 2 HOURS.

The every 2 hour advice is old and is sort of a "safety net" type of advice because a lot goes into caring and feeding of newborn kittens. People who are unfamiliar with kittens are unable to judge if they are healthy or not so the increased frequency can help in certain situations.

I have raised hundreds of bottle babies and personally never feed every 2 hours without a specific reason such as prematurity or illness.

Perpetuating the old advice that feeding is required every 2 hours can prevent people from thinking they can successfully help foster kittens. Follow your heart with the kittens in your care and if you can't bear to stretch out your feedings then by all means keep doing what works for you.

Please read the guidelines at the following link.

Change agents who inform & inspire shelter leaders to implement a humane, community-centered approach to animal care and shelter management; focused on prevention and grounded in science

29/02/2024

🌸🐱 For many of us, Spring is in the air, and it is the perfect season for new beginnings! As we welcome the blossoming flowers and warmer weather, we're also gearing up for the influx of kittens that come with it. 🌼 As kitten season fast approaches, shelters and rescues will be overwhelmed with homeless kittens from March through October because of cats who are not spayed or neutered.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴 & 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝗞𝗖 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻:
(blog) 𝐶𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 & 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 - https://loom.ly/boOUrLs
(blog) 𝐹𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑆𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝐿𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 - https://loom.ly/PKBPqcE
(blog) 𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝐻𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 - https://loom.ly/JdJdkx0
(recorded webinar) 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝐾𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠 - https://loom.ly/rmp88jo
(recorded webinar) 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑦 & 𝐵𝑖𝑟𝑡ℎ - https://loom.ly/pIVxMh8

💕😺

25/02/2024

Cat dentistry
We haven't shared this in a while, but since February is pet dentistry month we thought it might be a good reminder that
🐈‍⬛ Diseases of the teeth and gums are common in cats.
🐈Studies report that between 50 and 90% of cats older than four years of age suffer from some form of dental disease.
🐈‍⬛Fortunately the most common forms of these diseases are largely preventable or treatable with appropriate preventive dental care and monitoring.

Happy caturday everyone.
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20/02/2024

Learn more now!

19/02/2024

Antibiotics can save the lives of kittens but we should always keep the risks in mind.

Although mild adverse effects are reported with many antimicrobials for cats and dogs, alarming and severe adverse effects are possible—even with commonly used drugs.

18/10/2023

UC Davis updated their care and feeding guidelines for kittens just a few months ago, in May of 2023. To view the information you will need to download a full copy of the guide book by clicking the link near the bottom of this page of their website

https://www.sheltermedicine.com/library/guidebooks/?r=guide-to-raising-unweaned-underage-kittens

Overall I think it's important to note that kittens are individuals and what works for one may not work as well for another. It's important that we focus on how the kitten is doing with the current care plan. If they are thriving there's no reason to change what you're doing just to fit perfectly into any guideline... whether it's the long known guidance to feed every 2 hours or the updated guidance to go longer between feedings.

Hopefully the new guidance will help caregivers understand there is more flexibility in caring for kittens than previously thought.

No matter which guidance you follow... If it's working and your kittens are thriving.... that's fantastic! If your kittens are not thriving then look at the whole picture... including, but certainly not limited to feeding schedules, and consider making some adjustments.

Personally, I do NOT feed kittens every 2 hours, at any age, unless they are medically unstable. When I receive newborns I will assess their overall condition, including how the first feeding goes, and set an approximate feeding schedule based on that .. usually 3-4 hours between feedings for healthy newborns. It works for my kittens but nothing is concrete and I will always adjust if the babies need more intense care or if they are sleeping longer and doing well. I start with the goal of every 4 hour feedings but adjust as needed. By 2 weeks my babies are generally going 6 hours at night with 3-5 hours during the day. My schedule and lifestyle allow this flexibility...others may need to plan more scheduled feedings to fit into a work or child care schedule. As long as your kittens are healthy and thriving .... everything is just a guideline and will likely need occasional adjustments.

Guidebooks offer the most comprehensive, up-to-date information available on vital shelter medicine topics.

08/07/2023

You can learn a lot about a kitten's health by studying their p**p! This graphic does NOT represent all possibilities and is not a substitute for vet care!
**p **p **pHappens **p