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Bottle Feeding A Kitten |
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If you find an orphaned kitten in need of rescue, proper nutrition in the first few days is critical to its survival. The following are step by step instructions on bottle feeding a newborn kitten, including precautions you should take
and tips to ensure success. This guide will also explain how to stimulate the kitten's bowels and urinary tract. For a more complete guide to caring for a newborn kitten, view the Kitten Care Handbook provided by kittenrescue.org. These instructions are not meant to replace
the experience of a veternarian. Take the kitten to the vet as soon as possible for an examination and instructions for its care.
1. Prepare your supplies. Sterilize the kitten-sized baby bottles and nipples in a boiling water bath for about 5 minutes. Cool before using. Place a large towel, a rough-textured washcloth and a bowl of warm water on a table next to a comfortable chair.
2. Fill bottle with desired amount of commercial kitten milk replacement such as KMR, or an emergency formula (see below) if you can't get to a pet food store right away. Warm the formula by placing the bottle in a bowl of very hot water, then test it against your forearm. It should be 95° to 100° fahrenheit, or approximately body temperature. Test the nipple to ensure the flow is just right.
3. Sit in the chair with the towel folded in your lap. Place the kitten prone (face down) on your lap. Make sure the kitten is warm before feeding. Feeding formula to a cold kitten can cause serious digestive problems. Without raising the kitten's head, place the nipple in his mouth. He should start nursing right away. If all goes well, let him continue nursing until finished. Do not overfeed.
4. If the kitten does not start nursing right away, or if he seems to have trouble getting the milk, check the nipple again. It should not drip milk when held upside down, but should drip given a small amount of pressure. It may also be helpful to stroke his head or gently pet his back to start his nursing reflexes, but once he gets the idea, he will nurse readily.
5. Much like human babies, kittens may need "burping" after nursing. This is best accomplished by holding one hand under his abdomen and gently patting his upper back. Not too hard - you don't want him to vomit. If he doesn't burp right away, go to step #6.
6. The mother cat will stimulate her kitten's elimination by licking his anus and genital area with her rough tongue. You can emulate this process with a warm, damp, rough washcloth or dampened paper towel. It may take a couple of feedings to see results, so don't despair if he doesn't defecate right away. Urinating may take a bit longer.
7. Your kitten will want to sleep after nursing, so put him back into his bed to let him sleep undisturbed.
8. Your newborn kitten will need approximately 32 cc (1.1 oz.) of formula a day, divided into 9 - 12 feedings a day, depending on his size and condition. Count on feeding him every two hours or so, around the clock, for starters. Yes, it's a demanding job, but intensely rewarding to watch your newborn develop and grow.
In a pinch, if you can't get kitten baby bottles, an eye dropper will do. Be very careful to drop only a very small amount on the kitten's tongue to avoid aspiration of the formula into his lungs.
Buy several bottles and nipples, then sterilize and fill a number of them at once, and refrigerate. Warm as needed, following the directions above.
Proper positioning of the kitten is critical. Raising his head may cause aspiration of the formula into the kitten's lungs, which could be fatal.
Instructions and tips courtesy of Franny Syufy - About.com
Emergency Formula
1 can Evaporated Milk
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons Karo syrup
Mix all three well and keep in refrigerator tightly sealed. At feeding time, mix syrup concentrate with equal part hot water. Let cool.
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