It’s a touching moment when you bring home your new kitten and they are old enough to be weaned off of their mother’s milk. But there can be some challenging moments as well, like when your new kitty needs to burp. Don’t worry! With some patience and a few simple steps, you can learn how to burp a newborn kitten effectively.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a complete guide on how to burp a newborn kitten. We’ll discuss why kittens need to be burped and provide step-by-step instructions for the best way to do it. Along the way, we’ll provide helpful tips for making the experience as comfortable as possible for both you and your furry little friend. So get ready for an affectionate lesson in kitten etiquette—let’s get started!
Why You Need to Burp Newborn Kittens
If you’ve just welcomed a litter of newborn kittens into the world, congratulations! But it’s also time to start thinking about burping them properly. Burping is essential for kittens, as it helps release air caught in their tiny tummies and prevents uncomfortable gas buildup.
When it comes to burping newborn kittens, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind: make sure you do so as soon as possible after feeding, and be extra gentle. Keep in mind that even though newborns are small and fragile, they’re tougher than you think; however, they still have delicate skin and bones that need nurturing.
To start the process of burping the kitten, hold it carefully against your shoulder or on your lap. Use a light touch to gently massage their back in small circles with your fingertips or a towel—this should help release the air bubbles in their little tummy.
Once you feel like most of the air is gone, gently lay the kitten down on its back and rub its tummy until it lets out any remaining gas bubbles. That should do it—your tiny friend has just been burped!
How Often Should You Burp a Newborn Kitten?
Burping a newborn kitten is an important part of its care and can help prevent gastrointestinal issues down the line. But how often should you do it?
It depends on your kitten’s age. For kittens up to six weeks old, a burp every 30 minutes to an hour is recommended. After that, you can usually get away with a burp about four times a day until the kitten reaches 12 weeks old. After that, you’ll only need to burp your kitten occasionally—after meals or when it seems uncomfortable.
Burping your newborn kitten regularly throughout the first three months of life can make all the difference in keeping them happy and healthy. If you have any concerns, be sure to speak with your veterinarian, who can offer advice tailored to your pet’s individual needs.
The Best Positions for Burping a Kitten
Getting a newborn kitten to burp effectively involves finding the right burping position. It’s important that you’re comfortable during this process, so experiment with a few different positions until you find the one that works best for you and your kitten.
The best positions for burping a kitten are:
Over the Shoulder
This position works just as well on kittens as it does on babies. You’ll need to hold your kitten facing away from you, with its head tucked over your shoulder and its body resting along your arm. Then, firmly pat and rub its back while supporting its head in the crook of your arm.
Across Your Lap
This is another favorite among parents and breeders alike. Simply lay your kitten across your lap, facing up, so that his tummy is resting on top of your legs. Then, use one hand to support its neck while using the other to gently rub its back until it lets out a burp.
Chest-to-Chest
For this position, place the kitten in an upright position on your chest, allowing his back to rest against you as you lightly pat and rub his back. This can work especially well if you have a particularly reluctant bumper!
No matter which position you choose, always remember to be gentle when rubbing or patting the kitty’s back. Even when dealing with newborn kittens, patience is key!
Gentle Burping Techniques to Try
Burping your little one is important, and the good news is that there is more than one technique you can try! All of them focus on being gentle and allowing your kitten to do most of the work.
The Hold-and-Pat Technique
The first technique is simply to hold your little one against your chest, belly down, and gently pat their back. You can also position the kitten so that its head hangs slightly lower than the rest of its body and pat it again along the back. If you’re comfortable doing so, you can try rocking or swaying while you exert gentle pressure on its back to help it burp.
Sitting Upright Technique
You can also try sitting with your kitty upright in your lap while lightly supporting its head with one hand and carefully patting or rubbing its back with the other hand. This is especially effective if you start at the bottom of its spine, near its tail and work your way up toward its neck. If nothing happens after a few minutes, try changing up the pressure and speed of your patting for a different result.
The Over-the-Shoulder Technique
If these two techniques don’t seem to be working for you, then try holding your kitty securely against your shoulder like a football, with its body positioned facing outward. Then use just enough pressure that you give it a gentle shake for about 5-10 seconds at a time, and then let go for another 5-10 seconds in between shakes. This should be enough to help it burp without applying too much force to its tiny body!
What to Expect When Burping a Newborn Kitten
Burping a newborn kitten properly is a key component to providing comfort, but it can also be quite daunting. So let’s talk about what to expect.
First of all, it can be difficult to tell when the right time to burp a kitten is. You don’t want them to feel uncomfortable, and you don’t want to wake them up too soon. It can help to look for signs that your kitten may need a burp, such as endless squirming, crying, or licking their lips.
Remember that success starts with patience! It may take some time for your kitten to burp, but the process should feel natural and gentle, like a massage. Place them on your chest and use a puffer made of tissue paper, or use light pats on their backs until they burp up the trapped air.
When performing this task, be sure to not press too hard or move too fast—it’s important they feel comfortable and secure while you’re helping them out. If they’re still struggling after 10 minutes or so, then stop and try again later when they are older or have grown accustomed to the process with an experienced hand like yours.
When to Call the Vet About a Gassy or Fussy Kitten
No matter how much you practice, sometimes your kitten will be gassy and fussy, so when should you call the vet? Take a look at these signs to watch for:
- The gas pain seems to be unending and getting worse over time.
- Your kitten looks uncomfortable and may be struggling to find a comfortable position.
- Cries that sound different from the usual mews might sound more like a wail, for instance.
- The kitten has trouble sleeping because of their discomfort, which can lead to further fussiness during the day.
- Substantial bloating of the stomach area or stomach pain that looks more severe than usual.
If your kitten exhibits any of these signs on a regular basis, take them to the veterinarian right away—your vet will be able to figure out what is wrong and offer solutions to help your furry friend feel good again!
What to Expect When Burping: Normal Sounds and Kitten Reactions
When you burp a newborn kitten, you may hear some normal sounds, like a gentle burbling or gurgling noise coming from the kitten’s stomach. Don’t worry, that’s totally normal! Kittens also sometimes make little squeaks or grunts; again, nothing to worry about.
One thing to look out for is if your kitten cries as you are burping them—this may be due to having swallowed some air while they were drinking and they need help getting it released. In that case, simply continue gently rubbing the kitten’s back until the air comes out and they stop crying.
It’s also important to keep a close eye on your kitten’s reactions during the burping process. Some common things you might notice include your newborn kitten arching their back or flinching away from your hands—this usually means that too much pressure is being applied and should be avoided! This can startle the kitty and make them feel uncomfortable, so make sure you’re being gentle when rubbing their back.
Finally, another reaction can be seeing your kitten relax in your arms: this is usually a sign that everything is going okay! As long as the kitten feels safe in your arms, you can continue with the burping process until all of that excess air has been released and your kitty feels content again!
When to See a Veterinarian About a Newborn Kitten’s Feeding or Burping
If your newborn kitten has been having issues eating or burping, you don’t want to wait any longer to get them to a veterinarian. Newborn kittens are fragile and need special care, so it’s important to know when it’s time to consult a professional.
Here are some signs that your newborn kitten might need medical attention:
- They refused the formula or milk that was given to them.
- They do not burp after feeding or continue vomiting after feeding.
- You cannot feel their stomachs filling up when feeding.
- They stop eating altogether for more than 24 hours.
- Their feces are especially runny or contain blood.
- They seem inactive and lethargic.
It is also recommended that you bring your newborn kitten in for its first checkup at the vet within 10 days of birth, so they can rule out any potential health problems and give you tips on how to properly care for them at home. If there is something wrong, early detection can be the key to helping your kitten recover quickly and smoothly.
What to Do if Your Kitten Has Gas or Reflux
If your newborn kitten is having a lot of gas or reflux, there are a few things you can do to help.
First, there’s the classic burping technique. This can help the kitten expel air from their stomach, which can help relieve the discomfort caused by gas or reflux. To do this, you’ll need to lay your kitten on its back and then gently rub its tummy area in a circular motion until it burps.
Use a bottle warmer
You should also look into investing in a bottle warmer if you haven’t already. This can help to warm up the formula or breastmilk before feeding it to your kitten. It’s important that you don’t overheat the formula; it should be warm but not overly hot!
Eliminate air bubbles
Finally, make sure that when feeding your kitten either formula or breastmilk, you take care to eliminate any air bubbles from the mix. This will help reduce any gas or reflux that could form in the stomach later on.
Following these steps can help ensure that your newborn kitten stays comfortable despite suffering from gas or reflux issues.
Additional Tips for Burping a Newborn Kitten
Finally, here are some additional tips that will help you burp your newborn kitten effectively.
Method 2
Using Method 2, start by laying the kitten on its back in your lap. Support its head and shoulders with one hand, and use your other hand to rub its tummy in a circular motion. As the kitten starts to relax, gently press down on its abdomen and lift the chin upward with the other hand. This should allow the trapped air to come out and serve as an effective burp.
Use Soft Pressure
When burping a newborn kitten, it’s important to remember that kittens are delicate creatures! So, make sure you don’t press too hard while rubbing its stomach so as not to cause it any discomfort.
Repeat If Necessary
If after either of these two methods, you don’t hear a burp or see the signs of a burp (shaking fur or an audible “burp”), don’t hesitate to repeat the process until you do. In newborn kittens, it is common to need a few minutes for them to let go of their trapped air before they can truly relax and sleep again!
Conclusion
Burping your newborn kitten may seem like a daunting task at first, but with the proper technique and a little patience, you can easily become a pro at it. It’s a simple and gentle process that only takes a few minutes of your time and will help your newborn kitten develop and grow.
The most important tip to remember is to be patient and gentle with your kitten. Move slowly and carefully, always keeping its comfort in mind. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can be sure that you will be able to burp your kitten effectively (and with no mess!) in no time.
