Pregnancy, Birth, and Kittens

Q.: I found some very young kitties without a mom, they look about four weeks, but I'm not sure how to care for them. Could you tell me some tips on how to care for my cats. There were four but I only kept two. The mom was no where in sight. One of the two always cries and cries. Is it because he/she misses the mother? What should they sleep in? What shouldn't I do? I have already fed them but it seems they don't need a litter box yet. When will they start to eat food and needing a litter box?

A.: By four weeks they should be able to start eating food and using a litter box. Give them a box already just for precautions (but don't use clumping sand - kittens often eat the sand, and clumping sand is definitely not good for their system).
But you may have to "spark" them into eating at first by simply taking some of the food on your finger tip and placing it in the kitten's mouth. Use something with a heavy taste and smell - like sardines in jelly or the like. Sooner or later they will "get your drift" and get interested in the project. Then you can start feeding them canned kitten food and later again kitten dry food (cheaper).
Since they have been left by their mom and we don't know for how long, they may need to have their rear ends "sparked" as well: after you fed them, rub their behinds gently with a soft tissue of some kind. This will stimulate their urine and feces excretions.
As for where to sleep, any kind of soft cushion-like material will do, they will keep each other warm when sleeping. Good look with the project and be sure to write back if you need more advice!

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