Theoretically, kittens should stay close to their mother and receive her care for at least 8 weeks before being separated and / or adopted. In case of rescue, death of the birth mother or when certain circumstances lead the cat to reject one or more children, human intervention is essential. There are many things to consider if you find yourself feeding a kitten with a bottle. Careful consideration and proper preparation will make bottle feeding a sweet and enjoyable experience that will keep your puppy happy and healthy.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preparing to Feed the Newborn Kitten
Step 1. Try to find a cat that has recently given birth
Consult with any veterinarians and animal shelters to find out if there is a cat that could take care of breastfeeding your kitten. Breast milk is best for all newborn mammals, so before trying to artificially feed your cat, it is best to find a cat to take the place of the absent or unable mother.
- Realize that even if you find a mother who can breastfeed your kitten, she doesn't necessarily accept it. Always be present when interacting with your cat: there is a risk that he will try to kill him if he refuses it.
- If you are lucky enough to find a foster mother, try to mask the kitten's smell. Try stroking other puppies first and then yours. This way you can transfer their smell to the little stranger. The mother is likely to reject it if she smells a completely unfamiliar smell, so "masking" it will increase the likelihood that she will accept the new arrival.
Step 2. Feed him
A newborn kitten can only digest milk and especially that of a cat. Feeding the wrong type of milk, such as cow's milk, can have short- and long-term effects, including diarrhea, dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, and health problems over time due to poor growth. You can purchase replacement milk at a nearby pet food store, your vet's office, or even on the Internet. Among the brands used are Trainer Personal Baby Milk and Latte Stanvet, but you can also consult your vet to recommend a brand recommended by him, available in the place where you live.
- Replacement milk is mostly sold in cylindrical containers and comes in the form of powder or liquid. It is used in much the same way you use infant formula, so follow the instructions on the package to know how many spoons you will need to put in the right amounts of water.
- Realize that milk sold under the term "cat milk" is not suitable. It is cow's milk from which the lactose has been removed and which has been conceived so that it can be consumed by adult cats (to satisfy our need to feed them with milk more than a physiological need of the cats themselves); it is not suitable for consumption by newborn kittens.
Step 3. Make a backup plan if you don't have replacement milk available right away
The ideal milk is that of a cat who has just given birth. If you have nothing, you can use boiled water to feed your kitten and buy replacement milk right away. If he seems very hungry, you could add a teaspoon of glucose powder to a cup of boiled water. However, you should only do this for one feeding. Do not repeat this operation.
- Another alternative to compensate for the lack of the right resource, until you can get the replacement milk, is to use the boiled water obtained after cooking the rice. Cook white rice in the water and filter the liquid. It will contain some starch (therefore energy) and will not be laxative. It can work as a temporary solution.
- If you give him a little water in the meantime, you will prevent the kitten from dehydrating; it is a preferable compromise than administering something that could upset his stomach (such as cow's milk) and, therefore, make him sick.
Step 4. Plan your time
Remember that the smaller the cat, the faster its metabolism and the more often you will need to feed it (due to the small size of its stomach). This means that she needs frequent care throughout the day until she is old enough to start switching to solid food. If necessary, try to relocate with someone else in the family, a friend or neighbor.
A newborn kitten - theoretically, one that is less than 2 weeks old - requires careful nutrition day and night until she is old enough to start switching to solid foods
Step 5. Know that you can wean an orphaned kitten early
Weaning means stopping breastfeeding and gradually introducing solid foods into your diet. You can do this once the kitten reaches 4 weeks of age, which is when it is no longer a newborn. You will be able to understand that he is ready to be weaned and eat solids when he begins to bite the nipple of the bottle.
- To wean him, put a small amount of food on his plate. If he doesn't seem ready or willing to eat it, you can add a few tablespoons of replacement milk or water to soften the food and encourage his interest. Make sure he always has solid food on hand, so he can approach when he feels ready and has the desire. Over time, reduce the amount of milk, increasing the amount of solid foods.
- Most newborn cats can have a solid diet from 7 weeks of age.
- A kitten between the ages of 6 and 10 weeks needs to be fed 6-8 meals a day, a kitten aged 10 weeks to 6-7 months needs 4 meals a day, while one that has a maximum of 9 months needs 3 meals a day. Keep in mind that in order to feed him twice a day you will have to wait until he becomes an adult.
Part 2 of 2: Breastfeeding the Kitten
Step 1. Get the supplies
To feed a newborn kitten you will need the necessary feeding devices. If you can, it's a good idea to use a bottle and teat specially designed for kittens, such as the bottle and kit for bottle feeding for puppies and cats sold by Camon. The bottle is very small and has an open end at the top so you can place a thumb to check for milk if it drips too quickly from the teat, risking to oppress the kitten. The teat is long and narrow, ideal for fitting inside a newborn cat's mouth. In this way the baby will be able to suck as if he were being suckled by his mother.
If you don't have such a kit, the best option is a syringe, which can be used to drip the milk into the cat's mouth. However, since she won't be able to suckle from a syringe, try purchasing a bottle feeding set as soon as you can
Step 2. Sterilize what you need
It is essential to keep all equipment sterile - it is not enough to just wash it. Consider using a steam sterilizer (such as the one you use for baby bottles) or immerse the appliance in a Milton sterilizing solution in a container.
You can buy Milton sterilizing solution at drugstores or supermarkets, usually in aisles designated for baby supplies. Follow the directions on the package. If you choose to sterilize your cat's nursing equipment with Milton's solution, be sure to wash everything with boiled water before using it in order to get rid of any product residue
Step 3. Stir and heat the milk
If you are using liquid infant formula, open the can and measure the required dose according to the package instructions. If you prefer powdered milk, also in this case follow the instructions on the package regarding the number of measuring spoons and the amount of water to use. Always follow the instructions carefully, otherwise, if the milk is too concentrated, it could cause stomach upset; if, on the other hand, it is too diluted, it is devoid of nutritional elements.
- Always make fresh milk with each feed. Milk contains no preservatives and newborn kittens have weak immune systems, so any bacterial contamination that can compromise their only source of nutrition risks being disastrous for their health.
- Do not put the replacement milk in the microwave, otherwise the liquid will contain very hot and very cold parts inside the bottle. Instead, pour it into a container to put in hot water.
- Make sure the milk is at the right temperature: neither hot nor cold. The ideal thermal condition is that of the body, therefore, when you pour a few drops on the back of your hand, make sure that it corresponds roughly to the same temperature as your skin. If it is too hot it could burn the kitten's mouth.
Step 4. Measure your kitten's temperature
When you are ready to feed the kitten, make sure it is warm. In part, a newborn cat's digestion rate depends on its body temperature. If it is cold, digestion is slow and the milk risks stopping in the stomach and fermenting. Usually, when they are this small, cats snuggle close to their mother, not losing heat. The ideal temperature is around 35 and 37.7 ° C during the first 3 weeks of life.
Try to keep the kitten at this temperature by using a heating pad under a well-insulated blanket. If you don't have a heating pad available, use a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to prevent direct contact from causing burns. Fill the bag with hot water as often as you feel it is necessary to keep it warm
Step 5. Feed the kitten
Position yourself in a chair with a towel folded in your lap. Place the cat in a position similar to what it would be if it were nursed by its mother, with its head raised, paws facing down and stomach resting. When you first breastfeed, let the milk drip onto the end of the syringe or teat. Hold it very close to the kitten's mouth. The latter thanks to his developed sense of smell will surely smell the milk and try to bring his mouth closer.
- If you are using a teat, at this point help insert it into the open mouth, after which instinct should take over and the kitten will start sucking.
- If you are using a syringe, gently push the plunger to introduce a drop into your mouth. Have him swallow one drop at a time. Do not fill his mouth with milk, otherwise there is a risk that it will enter the lungs and develop pneumonia, which is usually fatal in newborn kittens. Take the time it takes to breastfeed and go slowly.
- The posture of the kitten is very important. Don't feed him with his back facing down, as you would a baby, and always make sure to lay him on something while feeding. Do not let the head rise, otherwise it may inhale the milk and carry it into the lungs. It is a serious danger that can even become fatal.
Step 6. Feed him by giving him the correct amounts of milk
The replacement milk packs for kittens have a guide indicating the quantity and frequency of feedings; follow these instructions. Here are some general guidelines on how much and how often to feed your puppy during the first few weeks of life:.
- 1 to 3 days: 2.5ml every 2 hours.
- From 4 to 7 days: 10-12 feedings per day of 15 ml each.
- 6 to 10 days: 10 feedings a day for 5 to 7, 5 ml.
- 11 to 14 days: 10 to 12, 5ml every 3 hours.
- 15 to 21 days: 10 ml 8 times a day.
- From 21 days and beyond: 3-4 feedings a day of 7.5-25 ml, in addition to consuming solid foods.
Step 7. Pay attention to the signs
As you learn to bottle-feed your kitten and practice it, be aware that overfeeding or improper feeding can cause breathing problems. As you feed your baby, observe him to make sure that the milk is not entering the nose and that the stomach does not seem distended.
- Regarding the amount, if the kitten is hungry and continues to suck, despite having exceeded the recommended dose, look at the belly. If your belly is tight and swollen, stop breastfeeding. It means that the stomach is full, even if the kitten has not yet realized it. Try not to overfeed him.
- If your kitten eats less than recommended, don't panic. It is likely that this is his individual propensity. If you are worried that you have not fed enough, instead of encouraging him to eat more and risk milk entering his lungs, stop and let him rest. Try again after about an hour.
Step 8. Stay calm and relaxed
To make sure she is comfortable and comfortable, it is important to have calm and patience when bottle feeding a kitten. Also, give them time to suck to prevent them from ingesting too much milk or having digestive problems.
Encourage and stimulate belching by holding the kitten with its back against your body and gently massaging the stomach. When a mother takes care of her newborn kittens, she cleans them to help them push air out of the intestines and produce feces. Don't be surprised by this possibility - these are great signs
Step 9. Clean the kitten's bottom
Immediately after breastfeeding the babies, the mother cleans her bottom and genital areas to encourage them to urinate and defecate. In reality, it licks their droppings: in nature it is an instinctive behavior with which the animal prevents the formation of dirt in the den from attracting predators. In the absence of the mother, however, your intervention is needed. Use some damp cotton wool and cleanse the anal area with movements that simulate the mother's tongue. When the kitten has completed its needs, eliminate them with cotton wool. Finish with a clean piece of cotton wool to wipe your lower back and you will be comfortable until the next feed.
This is an important step in effectively feeding your kitten. If you do not imitate the behavior of the mother that stimulates the expulsion of feces and urine in the little ones, the kitten will not be able to empty the bladder and intestines, risking to become physically irritated
Step 10. Return the kitten to its warm bed or box for rest
Continue to follow a regular breastfeeding schedule each day for the next few weeks until you can proceed to feed him solid food. During this stage, ask your vet for a diet that is adequate for weaning.
When your kitten is around 4 weeks old, add solid foods, such as soft canned food and kibble to her diet. In some cases, breastfeeding continues up to 8 weeks of age and progress should be reported to the veterinarian
Warnings
- Weigh the kitten every day for the first 2 weeks. You can use a food scale, but cover it with a clean cloth or piece of cloth. During this time, you should be gaining around 20g per day. Take note of weight loss or gain throughout breastfeeding and consult a veterinarian if you gain weight or lose weight too quickly.
- It is best to leave the kittens with their mother until they are at least 6 weeks old, although 8 to 10 would be even better. Breeders recommend waiting up to 12 weeks before changing their environment. Complications can arise when a kitten is orphaned: there is a risk that it will become antisocial and manifest health problems, but also that its development and overall well-being are compromised.
- See a vet if your kitten isn't eating at all. Lack of appetite could indicate that he is suffering from a disease.
