How to Feed Newborn Kittens

Try to find a nursing mother cat. Consult local veterinarians and animal rescue centers to see if there is a nursing mother cat available to care for the kittens. Mother's milk is the best nourishment for any newborn mammal, and before resorting to formula feeding, it’s advisable to seek a surrogate mother cat if the original mother is deceased or incapable.

• Note that even if you find a cat willing to nurse, it may not accept the kittens. Always supervise interactions between the surrogate mother and the kittens, as she might harm or reject them.
• If you’re fortunate enough to find a surrogate, try to mask the scent of the newborn kittens. Gently rub the surrogate mother’s kittens and then rub the orphaned kittens to transfer her scent. This increases the likelihood of acceptance, as unfamiliar scents can lead to rejection.

Obtain the right milk. Newborn kittens can only digest milk, specifically cat milk. Feeding them inappropriate milk, such as cow's milk, can lead to short-term and long-term issues, including diarrhea, dehydration, malnutrition, and long-term health problems due to poor development. You can purchase kitten milk replacement (KMR) at local pet stores, veterinary offices, or even online. Popular brands in Vietnam include Cimicat and Just Born kitten milk, but you can also consult your veterinarian for recommended formulas available in your area.

• Kitten milk replacement comes in cans or bottles as powder or liquid. Use it similarly to baby formula, following the instructions on the packaging for the correct ratio of powder to water.
• Be cautious of cartons labeled "cat milk." These are lactose-free cow's milk designed for adult cats (to cater to human desires rather than feline biological needs) and are unsuitable for kittens.

Have a backup plan if you can't find replacement milk immediately. Ideally, use milk from a surrogate mother cat. If unavailable, provide cooled boiled water and purchase replacement milk as soon as possible. If the kitten seems extremely hungry, you can add a small teaspoon of glucose to the cooled boiled water. However, this should only be done once and not repeated.

• Another temporary solution is rice water, the water left after cooking rice. Cook a small amount of white rice and strain the water. It contains non-laxative starch (energy) and can serve as a stopgap measure.
• Occasionally offering water helps prevent dehydration and is a better alternative than giving something like cow's milk, which could cause stomach pain and illness.

Plan your schedule. Remember that the smaller the kitten, the higher its metabolic rate, requiring more frequent feedings (due to its tiny stomach). This means you, a family member, friend, or neighbor must be available throughout the day until the kitten is strong enough to transition to solid food.

• A newborn kitten, essentially under two weeks old, needs to be fed around the clock until it's old enough to start transitioning to solids.

Understand that you may need to wean an orphaned kitten early. Weaning means stopping milk and gradually introducing solid food. This can begin when the kitten is four weeks old, no longer a newborn. You'll know the kitten is ready to wean when it starts biting the bottle nipple.

• To wean the kitten, place a small amount of solid food on a plate. If the kitten isn't ready or interested, mix in a few teaspoons of formula to soften the food and spark its curiosity. Always have solid food available for when the kitten feels ready. Over time, reduce the milk as you increase the solid food.
• Most kittens can eat solid food by seven weeks.
• Kittens aged six to 10 weeks need six to eight meals daily, while kittens aged 10 weeks to six or seven months require four meals daily, and kittens aged nine months need three meals daily. Remember, only adult cats should be fed twice a day.

Prepare the necessary equipment. Feeding newborn kittens requires specific tools. If possible, use a bottle and nipple set designed for kittens, such as the Catac set. The bottle is very small and has an open end, allowing you to adjust the milk flow with your thumb if it comes out too quickly, which could overwhelm the kitten. The nipple is long and flat, fitting perfectly in a newborn kitten's mouth, mimicking the experience of nursing from their mother.

• If you don’t have a feeding kit, the next option is a syringe to drip milk into the kitten’s mouth. However, kittens cannot suck from a syringe, so try to purchase a bottle as soon as possible.

Sterilize the equipment. Keeping the tools sterile is crucial. Simply washing them isn’t enough. Consider using a steam sterilizer (similar to those used for baby bottles) or submerging the equipment in a Milton disinfectant solution.

• You can buy Milton disinfectant at pharmacies in the baby section. Follow the instructions on the packaging. If sterilizing with Milton, ensure you rinse thoroughly with boiled water to remove any residue.

Prepare and warm the milk. If using liquid formula, open the can and measure the required amount as per the instructions. For powdered formula, check the packaging for the correct ratio of powder to water. Always follow the instructions, as overly concentrated milk can cause stomach issues, while overly diluted milk lacks proper nutrition.

• Always prepare fresh milk for each feeding. Formula lacks preservatives, and newborn kittens have weak immune systems, so bacteria from old milk can be extremely dangerous.
• Do not microwave the milk, as it can create hot or cold spots. Instead, pour the milk into the bottle and warm it by placing it in hot water.
• Ensure the milk is at the right temperature—neither hot nor cold. Ideally, it should be body temperature, feeling like your skin when tested on the back of your hand. If too hot, it can burn the kitten’s mouth.

Check the kitten’s body temperature. Before feeding, ensure the kitten is warm. A kitten’s digestion depends partly on its body temperature. If too cold, digestion slows, and milk may ferment in the stomach. Newborn kittens stay close to their mother for warmth, with an ideal temperature of 32-38°C in the first three weeks.

• Maintain this temperature using a heating pad or a well-insulated nest. If you don’t have a heating pad, use a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel to avoid direct contact, which could cause burns. Replace the water regularly to maintain warmth.

Feed the kitten. Sit comfortably in a chair with a folded towel on your lap. Position the kitten as if it were nursing from its mother, with its head straight, legs low, and belly supported. For the first feeding, place a drop of milk on the syringe tip or nipple and hold it near the kitten’s mouth. Kittens have a strong sense of smell and will seek the milk.

• If using a nipple, gently guide it into the kitten’s mouth to encourage sucking. Let the kitten nurse naturally.
• If using a syringe, press the plunger lightly to release milk into the kitten’s mouth. Allow time for swallowing. Avoid overfilling the mouth, as this can lead to aspiration pneumonia, which is fatal for newborns. Take your time and proceed slowly.
• Positioning is critical. Never feed a kitten on its back, as you would a human baby. Always ensure the kitten is supported while feeding. Avoid raising its head too high, as this can also cause milk to enter the lungs, which is dangerous and potentially fatal.

Ensure proper feeding portions for your cat. Cimicat formula milk and other substitutes come with feeding guidelines and frequency on their packaging. Adhere to these instructions. Below are general recommendations for feeding quantities and schedules for kittens in their initial weeks:

Monitor for signs of overfeeding. While learning to bottle-feed your kitten, remember that improper or excessive feeding can lead to respiratory issues. Watch your kitten during feeding to ensure milk doesn't enter its nose or cause abdominal distension.

Stay calm and patient. It's crucial to remain composed and patient during bottle-feeding to ensure your kitten's comfort. Feed slowly to prevent overeating or digestive problems.

Clean the kitten's lower body. After each feeding, mimic the mother cat's behavior by gently wiping the kitten's lower area with a damp cloth to encourage elimination. This step is vital for the kitten's health and comfort.

Return the kitten to a warm resting area. Continue the daily feeding schedule for the coming weeks until it's time to wean onto solid food. Consult your veterinarian for advice on the appropriate weaning diet.

• Weigh your kitten daily during the first two weeks. A kitchen scale can be used, but ensure to place a clean cloth or towel on it. Your kitten should gain approximately 15g per day in the first two weeks. Monitor weight fluctuations closely during feeding and consult a veterinarian if the kitten loses weight or gains too rapidly.
• It’s best to keep kittens with their mother until they are at least six weeks old, though eight to ten weeks is even better. Breeders often recommend waiting until 12 weeks before separating them. Kittens separated too early may face challenges such as socialization issues, health problems, and overall negative impacts on their development and well-being.
• Consult a veterinarian if the kitten refuses to eat, as this could indicate illness.