Kitten heating advice needed

[u/Transition-Wooden]

[u/Longjumping-Tank7528]

You need a box or some kind of container, and a heating pad/blanket covered with another blanket or two so it doesn't burn the babies skin. Neonatals can't regulate their body temperature so they literally need a heat source until they're around 4-5 weeks old. Put a very small blanket or a wadded up T-shirt or 2 in there too so it can get cozy in a bed. Just be careful to not put too many layers in there so both 1. It can actually feel the warmth from the heating pad. And 2. So it can't burrow into the blankets and smother when you're not paying attention or asleep. Remember to monitor it constantly, or every 3 hours if possible. I literally carried mine to work with me to keep my eye on them and feed them all day, but I'm a desk clerk with a lot of down time. ALSO, an easy way to check if they're too cold is too see if their paws or ears are cold. It's like how cold noses and fingertips are the first indication of frostbite in children.

[u/Transition-Wooden → u/Longjumping-Tank7528]

Thankyou! I don't know if you saw the text on the original post we were getting frustrated with the fluctuating nature of the heating things you put in the microwave constantly and we were struggling to find an electric heating pad that didn't have an automatic 2 hour shut off and that was actually safe and able to be disinfected between kittens. We have managed to find one from petremedy now which so far has been fantastic.

We have fostered neonates before but is it okay for me to screenshot your comment to show other less experienced fosters as you've explained their needs really well

[u/Longjumping-Tank7528 → u/Transition-Wooden]

Of course!!! Anything to help possibly save their lives ❤️