How To Bottle-Feed a Kitten | Chewtorials

Описание: Wee-sized kittens under 6 weeks of age who are without their mother require bottle-feeding to survive. If mama kitty is unable to feed her babies, you can step in and provide kittens with the nourishment they need. So how do you bottle-feed a kitten the right way? We’ll walk you through each step.

Kitten Bottle-Feeding Supplies

Finding the best formula is essential when bottle-feeding kittens. They cannot have dairy and must have kitten-specific formula, not human formula.

Along with formula, you’ll need a few other items to bottle-feed kittens:

●Pet-nursing bottles
●Pet-safe cleaning supplies to wash your bottles and nipples
●A thermometer to make sure the formula is warm enough but not too hot
●Plastic syringe (optional) in case a newborn kitten is having trouble latching
●Small cloths to catch milk dribbles and to clean up messes
●A scale to help you track whether your kitten is gaining weight appropriately

Bottle-Feeding Schedule for Kittens

For the first two weeks of their life, kittens must be bottle-fed every two to three hours around the clock.

From 2 to 4 weeks of age, this shifts to every five hours around the clock.

Starting at 4 weeks of age, you can start introducing kitten food, followed by bottle-feeding four times a day.

When the kittens are eating a tablespoon of kitten food at each of the four meals, bottle-feeding can be discontinued.

Most kittens will be eating on their own by 6 weeks of age.

Do I Need To Bottle-Feed Kittens at Night?

Kittens under 5 weeks old require overnight feedings.

Kittens 5-8 weeks old can generally go overnight without feedings, as long as they are sleeping well and not waking up or crying for food—in which case, feed that kitten!

Step-By-Step Guide To Bottle-Feeding Kittens

Step 1: Prepare the Bottle

After washing your hands, prepare a clean bottle. Then, heat a mug of water and float the bottle in it until the formula is between 98—102 degrees Fahrenheit.

Never heat the bottle or milk in a microwave. Use a thermometer to test the temperature before feeding.

Pro Tip: For new, uncut nipples, cut a small X in the tip using small, sharp scissors, or burn a hole with a heated needle. Formula should drip slowly when the bottle is upside down. If the hole is too big, kittens will eat too quickly, and if it’s too small, they’ll struggle to get enough food.

Step 2: Position the Kitten on Their Tummy

Note that the process for bottle-feeding a kitten is very different from that of feeding a baby. Although we hold babies face up to feed them, we do the opposite with kittens. (Think about how they suckle their mother.)

The kitten should lay with their tummy against your lap or a surface at a comfortable height for you to hold them with your non-dominant hand and the bottle with your dominant hand. Some kittens keep their front legs down and others put them on your hand—one tiny paw on each side of the bottle.

Pro Tip: Bright lights in kittens’ eyes can be jarring and cause them to not want to drink. Keep the room as dark as possible or shade their eyes.

Step 3: Place the Nipple in Their Mouth

Some kittens will go straight for the bottle, especially if this is old hat for them. Others, however, might require you to put the nipple in their mouth gently and move it around a bit until they latch on and start to suckle.

Be sure to hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle to prevent the kitten from ingesting air as they eat.

Step 4: Let Them Feed

Be patient as your kitten drinks from the bottle and allow them to go at their own pace. Once they’re full, most kittens will naturally unlatch from the bottle and have a very full, round tummy after eating.

Throughout the process, you might need to use your fingers to steady the kitten’s head. Also, periodically check for formula chunks clogging the nipple opening.

Did You Know? You will need to help the kitten go to the bathroom before and after each feeding if they’re less than 4 weeks old. Stimulate them before or after feeding by using soft tissues or toilet paper to rub the genital area in a circular motion. Record the kitten’s eliminations in case issues arise that your vet needs to know about.

Monitoring Kitten Health While Bottle-Feeding

You’ll need to monitor your kitten’s health while bottle-feeding to be sure they are thriving. Proper nutrition is reflected in steady weight gain, which you should track daily using a small scale.

Healthy kittens will have:
•A round, firm belly after feeding
•No signs of bloating or discomfort
•Bright, alert eyes
•Active behavior during their waking hours
On the other hand, signs your kitten needs veterinary attention include:
•Lethargy
•Lack of appetite
•Diarrhea
Observing your kitten’s behavior is just as important. They should vocalize for feeding but settle quickly once satisfied. Watch for consistent grooming and play behaviors as they grow, as these also reflect good health.