Before they become the zooming, jumping, toy-swatting characters they are, kittens are tiny and a little helpless, especially because their eyes are closed until they’re 10 to 12 days old. If you need to bottle feed a kitten, it’s best to get them checked by a vet first. This will rule out any underlying health problems and ensure the kitten is as healthy as possible before trying to bottle feed them.
Bottle feeding kittens
Posted by PetDirect on 3rd Sep 2022
Why would I need to bottle feed a kitten?
If you’re adopting or getting a kitten from a breeder, they’ll probably already be enjoying normal cat food. That’s because the kitten will be old enough to be safely separated from mum. But if a kitten has been orphaned, separated from mum far too early or their mum can’t nurse them for some reason, that’s when bottle feeding comes in.
This is something that cat rescues undertake when taking in kittens from the the street as their mum has not returned to nurse her babies.
How long do I need to bottle feed a kitten?
Kittens are very like newborn human babies, in that they begin nursing within hours after birth and continue to feed on and off throughout the day and night. Normally, kittens will stay on their mum’s milk for 4 to 5 weeks, before starting solid food.
If you’re bottle feeding a kitten, you can expect to do it until the kitten is at least 4 weeks old. Here’s a feeding schedule:
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- Newborn kittens should be fed 6 to 8 times throughout the day and night.
- Kittens that are 2 to 3 weeks old can be fed 3 to 4 times daily.
- Healthy kittens less than 4 weeks old will wake during the night and early in the morning, crying for milk. This might happen even if they’re older than 4 weeks, but they’ll probably go about 4 to 5 hours before waking.
- Kittens that are less than 1 week old or are unwell need to be fed every 3 hours, day and night.
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There’s not a lot of guesswork when bottle feeding a kitten - they’ll let you know when they’re hungry by crying and mewing!
What do I need to bottle feed a kitten?
To bottle feed a kitten, stock up on:
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- A nursing kit, which will include a bottle, teats and cleaning brush. It’s best to use a bottle, rather than a syringe or dropper as they don’t provide enough milk. Using a bottle also means there’s little risk of you accidentally putting milk into their lungs.
- Kitten milk. Kittens shouldn’t be fed cow’s milk as it’s not nutritionally as good as their mum’s milk. Kitten milk is specially formulated with water, proteins, carbs, fats, minerals and vitamins, making it very similar to mum’s milk.
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Kitten milk might be ready-made or a powder. Only make up enough powder for 48 hours’ worth of feeding. This helps reduce bacteria and reduces the chances of it going off. If you make too much, you can always freeze it in small portions and thaw it when you need it.
It’s best to add powder to warm water and gently heat it to body temperature. Try not to use a microwave, as it’s too easy to overheat it. Too much heat can break down the proteins, reduce the water content and thicken the formula. It’s also not recommended to reheat or reuse any unused milk from an early feeding - it should be thrown away.
Wash the bottle and teats in warm soapy water after each use and leave to air dry thoroughly. You can also wash them in diluted white vinegar at least 3 times a week to get rid of any oils, smells and bacteria.
How to bottle feed a kitten
To bottle feed a kitten, pop a soft old blanket (think something you don’t mind getting wet or covered in milk and other things!) on your lap then:
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- Put the kitten on their front and gently support their head so it’s upright.
- Place the teat on the bottle in their mouth. Adding gentle pressure to the bottle or teat can help with milk flow.
- Watch for the kitten latching its tongue around the teat to suckle.
- Once the kitten is full, they’ll show disinterest and might even fall asleep.
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That’s the feeding part done - there are still 2 more things to do:
Burping a kitten. When bottle feeding, a kitten can swallow air. It’s good to burp a kitten after each feeding to reduce any bloating. Loosely wrap them in a small towel or blanket, hold them against your body and gently pat their back.
Toileting a kitten. Normally a mum kitten will clean their kittens after feeding, letting them know it’s time to go toilet. Once they’re done feeding, take a warm, damp swab or soft cloth and gently wipe around their bottom - this should stimulate their body into going toilet. Once they’ve toileted, gently wipe around their bottom and hind legs to clean away any wee. Toilet a kitten away from their bedding and change and check their bedding regularly to make sure they’re not toileting on it.
Signs a bottle-fed kitten isn’t thriving
There are signs to watch out for that require urgent vet attention. These include:
- A kitten not latching well or suckling strongly.
- A weak or lethargic kitten.
- A constantly crying kitten.
- Rapid, laboured breathing.
- Diarrhoea or constipation.
- Green, yellow or white watery poo.
On average, newborn kittens weigh around 100 grams. They should gain about 10 to 15 grams per day. By the time they’re 6 weeks old, a kitten should weigh around 500 grams. A kitten that isn’t gaining weight should be taken to the vet.
Weaning a kitten
Weaning your kitten onto solid food should start when they’re 4 to 5 weeks old. Bottle feeding is still needed as they transition over. Now’s the time to introduce quality kitten food, alongside bottle feeds. Food, combined with kitten milk, ensures your kitten gets all the water and nutrients they need every day.
Once your kitten is fully weaned, you can invest in a water bowl for them. This is also the time that they’ll start to go to the toilet on their own so make sure you’ve got a litter tray and cat litter.
Bottle feeding a kitten is hard work, but it’s rewarding - you’ve given them the best start and a good chance of leading a long, happy, healthy life! If you need any further help or have a question we haven’t answered, contact our friendly Pet Direct Customer Care team on 0800 200 240 or email support@petdirect.co.nz.