What to Do If You Find an Orphaned Puppy, Kitten, or Baby Animal

shanaPuppy Health & Medical

⚠️ Quick Guide: What to Do First

  • Warm the baby—never feed while cold

  • Rub sugar on gums if limp or weak

  • Contact a rescue or wildlife rehabber ASAP

  • Only hydrate or feed if help is delayed

  • Use species-appropriate formula—no cow, oat, or goat milk

Every year, kind-hearted people stumble across newborn kittens, puppies, bunnies—or even wild animals—who appear abandoned. The instinct to help is beautiful. But without the right knowledge, even well-intentioned actions can be harmful.

What you do in the first few minutes can make all the difference. Here’s what to do—in the correct order—to give that baby the best chance at survival.

How to Tell If the Baby Is Truly Orphaned

Not every baby you find is abandoned. Mothers often leave their young alone for long periods to search for food or move the rest of the litter.

Watch quietly from a distance for at least an hour. If the baby is warm, quiet, round-bellied, and clean, the mother is probably nearby. In that case, waiting is the kindest action.

But if the baby is cold, limp, crying, or visibly weak—or in a dangerous location—they likely need immediate help.

Warm the Baby First—Always

The very first step is to warm the baby. Neonatal animals can’t regulate their own temperature. If cold, their bodies begin to shut down—and feeding them at this stage can be fatal.

Ways to warm safely:

  • Wrap in a soft towel and place over a low-heat heating pad

  • Use a warm rice sock or water bottle wrapped in cloth

  • Place them inside your shirt for body heat

Never feed a cold baby. Get them warm first. Always.

Boost Blood Sugar While You Warm

Without mom, babies crash fast from low blood sugar. A few hours without feeding can cause seizures or coma.

If the baby is conscious and able to swallow, rub a drop of Karo syrup or sugar water on their gums every 3–5 minutes while warming.

This simple step may stabilize a fading baby long enough to save their life.

⚠️ Do not give anything by mouth to a baby who is limp or unable to swallow.

Get Professional Help Immediately

 Contact a rescue, vet, shelter, or wildlife rehabilitator.

  • Domestic animals (puppies/kittens): Call your local rescue, animal control, or vet

  • Wild animals: Use https://ahnow.org to find a licensed wildlife rehabber

Do not attempt to raise wild animals yourself. It’s often illegal and usually leads to poor outcomes for the animal.

Hydrate Only if Help Is Delayed

If professional help is not immediately available and the baby is warm and alert, you can offer hydration.

Mix clear Pedialyte (unflavored) with an equal amount of warm water. Offer small drops on the tongue using a syringe or dropper. Let the baby swallow—never squirt or force feed.

If the baby gurgles, coughs, or struggles to swallow, stop immediately and wait for help.

Feed Only as a Last Resort—And Only If Done Correctly

Feeding is the final step—not the first. Only feed if:

  • The baby is warm

  • Sugar has been administered

  • Hydration was successful

  • The baby is responsive and able to suckle

Use the right formula  for the species.
Never feed cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or plant-based milk.

Feed belly-down with paws under the body. Use a Miracle Nipple  and syringe or human baby bottle. Do not use “Pet Nurser Bottles”. Let the baby suckle—never force it. Burp after feeding and stimulate to potty with a warm, damp cloth.

Life-Saving Order to Remember

If you remember nothing else, remember this:

WARM ➡️ SUGAR ➡️ GET HELP ➡️  HYDRATE ➡️ FEED

Bonus Warning: Watch for Fly Strike in Warm Weather

During spring and summer months, orphaned neonates are especially vulnerable to a fast-moving, deadly condition called fly strike. This occurs when flies lay eggs on damp fur, dirty skin, or small wounds. Within hours, maggots hatch and begin eating the baby alive.

This is a true veterinary emergency—and it’s more common than you’d think.

👉 Read our full guide on Fly Strike in Puppies and how to prevent it

Help Us Save the Next One

Every day, Blazin’ Trails Bottle Babies receives calls about orphaned, fading newborn puppies. Your donation helps us provide emergency supplies, formula, incubators, and vet care in the first critical hours.

💛 Make a life-saving gift today:
👉 https://blazintrailsbottlebabies.org/donate

Because when minutes matter, we’re ready—and we need your help to keep saying “yes.”