How to Bottle Feed an Orphaned Kitten

A healthy and uninjured orphaned kitten is easy to rear on a bottle, but it will be time consuming so make sure you’re up to the commitment before you take on the responsibility.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Milk replacement for kittens
• Small bottles designed for kittens
• A towel or small blanket

1. Purchase a commercially available milk replacement designed for kittens. You should be able to purchase this through a feed store, pet supply store, or a veterinarian. You will also need to buy bottles designed for kittens.

2. Mix the milk replacement with warm (but not hot) water. You should use up any milk replacement that you mix within 24 hours as it deteriorates rapidly. Store mixed milk replacement in the refrigerator.

3. Put a towel or blanket over the arm and hand you will use to hold the bottle, as the kitten will dig in with his claws, kick, and bite during the process of finding the nipple and beginning to drink.

4. Experiment with the position you hold the kitten. Some are happiest feeding on their backs, some prefer their stomachs.

5. Feed the kitten until he slows down and his belly is round and full.

Tips & Warnings

• A kitten under the age of two weeks needs to be fed every few hours around the clock. Once the kitten is two weeks old, you can start stretching out the feedings until he reaches weaning age (6 to 7 weeks).
• Until the kitten is able to defecate and urinate on his own (usually a few weeks old), you will need to stimulate his rectal area with a moist cloth after each feeding so that he will relieve himself.