What is the best way to comfort a crying kitten?
The best way to comfort a crying kitten is to give it a hug.
We can also try stroking it gently, or pick it up and hold it close to our chest.
New parents are often challenged with figuring out what's making their baby cry. This might seem comparatively easy when they're coping with a new baby, but even more difficult if it's a kitten. It's hard to know exactly what a kitten is trying to communicate when they cry or whine but it's important to remember that there is likely an unmet need that needs your attention.
Your Kitten Is Lonely
Kittens need a lot of mental and physical stimulation in order to be happy - they are very inquisitive creatures. If a kitten is crying all the time, it may not be getting enough attention, want to play with other kittens, or is looking for its mother. Especially if the kitten was just adopted.
It's important to spend a lot of time playing with your new kitten on a daily basis. If you have the means and are ready to commit, consider adopting an additional one so they have each other as a company. Many experts recommend adopting kittens in pairs.
Your kitten is either lost or confused.
New cat parents might start off by giving their cats the entire house to roam, but this can be unsettling or even scary for the animal. Instead, it's better to start with a limited range and allow your cat's familiar with the layout before expanding their space. If a kitten is crying, it may be lost and call out for help as they don't recognize its surroundings. This could be because they can’t find their way back to the litter box or cat bed.
New adopters should provide kittens with a small home base for the first few weeks. This will allow them to grow more confident in their new space. As they get used to the territory, they can progressively be allowed more freedom.
Your Kitten Is Hungry
Just like human babies, kittens are generally likely to cry out when it’s been too long between meals. If a kitten is crying for food every day, consider the frequency and timing of their feedings.
Young kittens grow really quickly and need to be fed enough wet food to aid this growth. Kittens need to be fed in response to hunger, so their scheduling needs are different from that of adult cats. If you think the kitten is crying for food, increase the amount or frequency of feedings. Kittens are very cute and fluffy, but they change as they grow up. You should be able to feed your kitten, but you may need to ease into a schedule.
Your Kitten Needs to Poop
When kittens are first getting used to using a litter box on their own, they may not be as content with pooping. Younger kittens, who are under 8 weeks old, tend to make a noise before or during defecation, and this is alright as long as the kitten does not become too fussy about it.
If your cat is crying out every time she poops, or struggling to use the litter box, bring her to the vet to make sure there are not any underlying medical issues. It is best to get checked for any stomach problems ASAP; especially in a young kitten. Don't delay if you suspect the kitty may have difficulties.
Your Kitten Is in Pain
One of the most noticeable signs that a cat is in distress is when they are crying at a high pitch & volume. If you hear them making this noise, it's important to locate the kitten and make sure they're not in any danger. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as your limbs getting caught in uncomfortable positions or your tail being stepped on accidentally.
If your kitten seems in pain, address the source of the issue and assess what's happening. A veterinarian should be contacted if you think the kitten has any injuries.
Your Kitten Is Sick
Illness might be invisible to a caretaker, which is why it’s important to pay attention to the signs a kitten's giving you. For example, she may not show any symptoms of being sick, but her cries can tell us she’s distressed.
If a kitten looks vacant or fatigued and is crying, it's likely time to take them to the veterinarian for a checkup. Some cats can also express unhappiness other than through vocalization. Be sure to look at all their body language so you know what could be wrong.
Here are some things you should look out for to safeguard your fur babies: pawinghead pressing against a wall, or maybe even against your chest, with the eyes closedvocalizing sounds of discomfort such as meowing and squeaking more than usual, scratching the ground with nails, tail, or feetvocalizing sounds of fear and pain such as yowls and screams -continuing to vocalize even after all physical signs of discomfort have been alleviated, continuing to vocalize when the situation is no longer threatening, vocalizing continuously for a long period of time.
