Last Updated: 1 year ago
A sick kitten is just about the most pitiful thing on earth, especially when they’re all alone in the great big world.
As a professional in the vet field for 7 years, I saw my fair share of sick kittens, whether they were owned or found.
I also had a lot of people ask what to do if they found a sick kitten and wanted to rescue it.
So today, we’re going to talk about what you should do if you find a sick kitten and want to help him out.
Helping a Sick Kitten: 5 Tips
Helping animals in need is one of the most noble acts a person can do, in my opinion, so I’m fully on board with helping animals when they need it.
Below are some tips to help keep you and the sick little kitty you find safe and healthy both during and after rescue.
1. Observe from a Distance
When encountering a sick kitten outside, it’s crucial to approach with caution.
Observe the kitten from a safe distance to avoid causing additional stress or fear.
This allows you to assess the severity of the situation without startling the vulnerable feline.
2. Be Safe
In my recent post about cleaning cat ears, I referenced how dangerous a cat bite can be.
This goes for kittens as well as adults, so the first thing you need to do is remember to be smart.
That ailing kitten you see may look weak, docile, or even somewhat friendly, but you don’t know his story.
Never, ever, ever approach a sick kitten with your bare hands. A kitten bite can be just as dangerous as an adult bite.
Get a towel and wrap the kitten in that before you pick it up. If you have an adequately sized box or cat carrier available, immediately put the kitten in that.
Do not attempt to hold the kitten as you make your way home. This goes back to cat bites.
If that kitty freaks out in your arms, you are highly susceptible to getting clawed, bitten, or both.
3. Provide Temporary Shelter
Create a makeshift shelter for the sick kitten by placing a box or carrier with a soft towel in a quiet, protected area.
This provides a safe haven while you assess the situation and make the necessary arrangements.
The shelter helps protect the kitten from the elements and reduces stress, promoting a more comfortable environment until professional help is available.
4. Get to the Vet
Get to the vet as soon as possible after rescuing a sick kitten.
If you tell your vet what’s going on, they’ll most likely squeeze you into the schedule for the day, even if they’re booked solid.
If you happen to find a sick kitten after a few hours, it can be a different story.
If you have the inclination and the funds, take the kitten to an emergency vet for an immediate examination.
The kitten may only be malnourished a bit, or he may have something very wrong.
In either case, the sooner you can get the kitten to the vet, the better.
5. Be Prepared for Bad News
Whether you’ve rescued a sick kitten just to be kind or if you want to keep him, it’s important to be prepared for bad news.
The kitten is already sick. It may be a mild condition, or the kitten may have something very, very wrong.
You need to be both emotionally and mentally prepared for the possibility that the cat may need to be put to sleep.
Remember, sometimes it’s the kindest thing you can do.
You Can Help a Sick Kitten
If you see a sick kitten and you want to help, go for it. Just follow the tips above. Be safe, be smart, and get the kitty to the vet as soon as possible.
After that, it’s up to you if the sick kitten becomes a permanent member of the family. I cannot stress this enough, though. Be safe. Don’t get bitten!
Have you ever found and helped a sick kitten? Share your experiences below!
It may be simple but interesting! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Wow, I never knew. I’m a dog person so, I’m not sure what I’d do. Thanks!
We had someone dumb a box of kittens, we called around and adopt a pet said for a donation they would take them. We did it since they looked to small to eat on their own.
Living out in the country, we see our fair share of kittens that are dropped off because the mother
cat had kittens, and the human owner doesn’t want them. These are great ideas if the situation
arises. Posting for [email protected]
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this valuable information on what to do if you find a sick kitten! I am one of those people who HAS to help animals anytime they need it. I would not have wrapped them in a towel first – I am happy to know to do this now!
I am actually I came across this article because frankly, I would have no idea what to do if I stumbled upon a sick kitty. I didn’t even know half of these tips!
I am deathly allergic to cats, but as an animal lover I’m happy to know these tips. It always hurts my heart to see an animal in pain.
My brother-in-law recently took in a stray kitten. It always stopped by his home and his daughters fell in love with it. They did take him to the vet first to make sure he wasn’t carrying anything.
These are great tips and good to know in case I ever find one. Thanks for sharing.
I always hate seeing stray kittens. Thankfully, I haven’t seen any or I would be in trouble. I have a soft heart and would want to take it in.
I think most people would decline to help because vet care costs are outrageous like dr visits for us humans. I know I would do these tips if i had the funds though.
I see cats/kitten from time to time around the neighborhood, but I’ve never found a sick kitten yet. Thanks for this. Now I now what to do if ever I find one.
These are all great tips on what to do if you find a sick kitten! Great post!!
You are so kind. I’m actually afraid of cats/kittens, so I’d probably call my neighbor to help! I’m saving this in case I need it in the future though (neighbors aren’t always home! :))
These are great tips! I think it’s so important to be able to help out the animals in need, it makes you feel so good!
I have never found a sick animal yet, thankfully we have a vet’s office pretty close by just in case!
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
Kittens, just like anyone else, get sick. Sometimes when they do, it
can be hard to tell. Kittens feeling sick can exhibit a number of
symptoms, some of which might point to more than one thing.
When I was in university, one night while walking through the parking garage, my now husband and I found a cute, Hemingway kitten. At the time I had no idea what kind of kitty she was. I only knew that she was tiny, crying and hungry. We rescued her and took her to a friend of ours who was a vet. She was the sweetest and kindest cat I ever had. However, I had another cat who once bit my roommate and she ended up in the ER with a raging case of blood poisoning. So yes, be very careful when handling cats.