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See a small bundle of fur. It moves. It meows weakly. Under a car, behind a garbage bin, in the garden. An abandoned (or lost?) kitten. What to do? The first minutes determine whether it will live or not. Let’s look at the practical guide.

Important premise: before touching it, make a choice

Option 1: look for the mother

Often the found kitten is not abandoned. The mother is nearby, hunting, she will return.

What to do:

  1. Move away 20-30 meters
  2. Observe for 2-4 hours (if possible)
  3. Did the mother return? Leave it be, it's the best thing for the kitten
  4. If she doesn’t return within 4 hours? Likely abandoned → intervene

Exception: if it is in immediate danger (incoming car, extreme cold, injured), intervene immediately without waiting.

Option 2: immediate intervention

Necessary when:

  • Kitten visibly injured
  • Immediate danger (extreme heat/cold, traffic)
  • Visible dehydration
  • Mother certainly absent (e.g. seen dead nearby)

How to understand the age of the kitten

Crucial for subsequent care.

Newborn (0-1 week)

  • Closed eyes
  • Closed ears
  • Visible umbilical cord
  • Weight 80-130 g
  • Very limited movements

Survival without mother = low. Intensive care every 2 hours.

1-2 weeks

  • Eyes starting to open (around 10 days)
  • Ears partially open
  • Weight 130-300 g
  • Crawls, does not walk

3-4 weeks

  • Eyes open, normal vision
  • Ears erect
  • Starts to walk
  • Weight 300-500 g
  • Teeth start to emerge

5-8 weeks

  • Walks and runs
  • Eats soft solid food
  • Uses litter box
  • Weight 500-900 g

Above 8 weeks

  • Almost independent
  • Adoptable

What to do immediately

1. Safe capture

  • Approach slowly
  • Use a cardboard box or towel
  • Do not pull by the tail or legs

2. Warm it up

Kittens have difficulty maintaining body temperature.

  • Wrap in a towel
  • Heating pad (wrapped in cloth) beside
  • Never direct contact with an intense heat source
  • Ideal temperature: 30-35°C

3. Veterinary care immediately

Even if it "seems fine":

  • Check health status
  • Fleas, parasites, wounds
  • Estimated age
  • Any illnesses

Cost for initial visit: 40-80 €.

4. Feed it (if needed)

NEVER cow's milk. Causes severe diarrhea.

  • Kitten milk replacer (Royal Canin Babycat, Hartz, Beaphar) — purchased from a specialty store or veterinary pharmacy
  • Small bottle or syringe without a needle
  • Temperature 37-38°C

Feeding frequency:

  • 0-2 weeks: every 2 hours (including night)
  • 2-4 weeks: every 3-4 hours
  • 4-6 weeks: every 4-6 hours (introduction of solid food)
  • 6+ weeks: 4-5 meals/day with solid food

5. Stimulating elimination

Kittens under 3 weeks do not eliminate on their own. The mother stimulates them by licking.

You must simulate this:

  1. Warm, damp cloth or cotton
  2. Gently rub the genital and anal area
  3. After meals, always
  4. Above 3 weeks, it is no longer necessary

6. Hygiene

  • Cleaning with a warm, damp cloth (no bathing)
  • Litter box cleanings after 4 weeks

The critical 24 hours

In the first 24 hours of care:

  • Weigh the kitten (useful for checking growth)
  • Keep body temperature stable
  • Hydration is a priority
  • Veterinary care within 12 hours
  • Document everything (photos, data)

What NOT to do

  • ❌ Do not give cow's milk (fatal)
  • ❌ Do not give raw meat to kittens under 8 weeks
  • ❌ Do not bathe (fatal cooling)
  • ❌ Do not leave it alone for hours if it is a newborn
  • ❌ Do not administer human medications
  • ❌ Do not overestimate its condition: if it's serious, go to the vet, do not attempt home remedies

The next choices

Once stabilized, you have 3 options:

Option A: keep it

Costs: 1,500-2,500 € first year (vaccinations, spaying/neutering, microchip, accessories, food).

Option B: adoptive family

Once stabilized and examined, it can be adopted by private individuals. ENPA, OIPA, local shelters can help.

Option C: take it to a shelter

Only if you really cannot keep it or find it an adoption. Municipal shelters are required to accept it.

According to the law in Italy

  • Abandoning animals is a crime (art. 727 cp): penalty of up to 1 year + fine
  • If you find an abandoned animal, you have a moral obligation (not legal) to assist it
  • For kittens in need: veterinary ASL covers initial emergency care (legally)

When to consult a VETERINARY URGENTLY

Same day:

  • Deep lethargy
  • Labored breathing
  • Diarrhea
  • Pale or cyanotic mucous membranes
  • Seizures
  • Severe dehydration

The "feral" kittens

Different from "abandoned," a "feral" kitten (wild cat, never been domestic):

  • Above 8 weeks it is difficult to domesticate them
  • Often better to sterilize and re-release them in the original area
  • TNR program (Trap-Neuter-Return) managed by volunteers

Your "first cat" in life

If you decide to keep it, it can be the most beautiful experience of your life. A found kitten that becomes part of the family... is an unforgettable bond.

Conclusions

You found an abandoned kitten: you are in a delicate situation. First, check if the mother is nearby. If it is really alone, intervene with warmth, specific milk, veterinary care, and love. The first days decide a lot. And remember: saving the life of a kitten is one of the most beautiful gestures you can make. Don't ruin it with makeshift care: call the vet, listen to the professionals.

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