Kennel Set Up for Young Kittens

KENNEL SETUP

For proper kitten kennel setup, place a heating pad SET ON LOW that is wrapped in a towel to prevent burns into the bottom of kennel. Place a blanket on top of heating pad. Then place kittens into kennel. Once the heating pad has had time to heat up, use your hand to feel the space the kittens are laying on, it should be warm enough to provide some heat to the kitten, but not too hot to burn them. Kittens can stay in this setup until they reach 3-4 weeks of age and are exploring and ready to be weaned onto formula. Once kittens are moved to a larger setup, heating pad should remain underneath their blanket/sleeping area until they reach 5 weeks of age.

DO NOT USE A HEATING PAD WITH AN AUTO-SHUTOFF SETTING.  PLEASE USE HEATING PADS THAT ARE MADE FOR ANIMAL USE OR HEATING PADS THAT DO NOT HAVE AN AUTO-SHUTOFF.

HEATING PAD SAFETY

Continually monitor heating pad and electrical cord for scratches or tears from kitten teeth and claws.  Remove any damaged heating pad immediately. Until you can get another heating pad, short-term ideas for providing heat to your kittens include: 

1.  Hot water bottle wrapped in towel. 

2.  Bag of warmed rice wrapped in towel.

3.  Take a hand towel, wet in sink, microwave, place in plastic bag and wrap in towel to provide heat. 

4.  Place lamp over kennel to give heat. 

****IN ALL CASES USE CAUTION AND DON’T BURN KITTENS. ****