How to Bottle Feed Kittens
Bottle feeding kittens is sometimes a necessary task for cat owners. The kittens may be orphaned rescues, or their mother may too often be absent or unable to produce milk. Kittens in their first weeks of life have to be fed every three to four hours. Newborn kittens start out needing less milk than older kittens, but it can be difficult to gauge how much to feed them based on their weight. Observing their health, weight and hunger levels helps determine feeding amounts.
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Instructions
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Heat the sewing needle and use it to punch two small holes into the bottle's nipple. Omit this step if your bottle already comes with holes.
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Warm the milk to room temperature and fill the bottle with it. Wet the outside of the bottle's nipple with the milk to give it flavor.
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Approach your kitten when it is lying on its belly. Do not try to feed your kitten like a human infant. Gently pry your kitten's mouth open with the bottle tip. Squeeze the sides of the bottle at the same time to squeeze out the milk. The kitten should soon suck down the milk on its own.
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Burp your kitten after it has finished feeding to reduce bloating and colic. Hold its tummy against your shoulder and softly pat its back until it burps.
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Discard any leftover milk. Wash the bottle and the nipple to kill any harmful bacteria.
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Tips & Warnings
Milk bubbling out of your kitten's nose as it feeds means that the kitten is drinking too much too fast, and that the holes in the bottle's nipple are too large. Punch smaller holes in a new nipple to correct the issue.
Loose stool is an indicator that you are overfeeding your kitten. Reduce its meal amounts to correct the issue. If your kitten continues to have loose stool, it may have a parasite and need veterinary attention.
References
- Photo Credit Martin Poole/Digital Vision/Getty Images
