by Angie Pollock

Created on: August 23, 2009

The first few days in a newborn kitten's life are crucial to their survival. Some newborns are left to fend for themselves which leaves a human having to fill in as a surrogate mother. This requires bottle-feeding, a lot of care, and plenty of patience. The good news is, bottle-feeding a kitten isn't a difficult task, it only takes a little knowledge on the part of the caregiver.

You should be forewarned that taking over the care as Mom to newborn kittens is an around the clock job as they need to be fed every 2 to 3 hours. First step is to have everything together that the kitten will need for feeding time. This includes an appropriate sized bottle, kitten formula or kitten-milk replacer, small rag, and a small bowl of lukewarm water. You may also want to find yourself a comfortable feeding spot and a small cloth to wrap around the kitten while feeding.

The supplies you need should be readily available at most large pet stores. KMR is the preferred milk replacement for kittens as this brand has all of the nutrients that the kitten needs for this critical time in their life. KMR (and many other brands) will come in either powder form or liquid (ready-to-serve). However, there are other brands available just remember that kittens should not be given cow's milk. Bottles are also specially made for small animals like kittens and can be purchased at most pet stores.

Before feeding, prepare the formula and the bottle with the nipple. The bottle and nipple should be sterilized in boiling water for approximately 5 minutes and then cooled. A newborn will need about one ounce of formula at each feeding. Pour the formula into the bottle and warm the formula in a bowl of hot water. The formula should be warm when feeding but not hot. Test the formula on the inside of your wrist just as you would for a human baby.

After you have gathered all of your feeding supplies, gather your kitten in your lap and place a small towel or blanket over the kitten to keep her warm. The kitten should be facing down just as if she was nursing from her mother. Place the nipple in her mouth without lifting her head and coax the kitten into feeding. If your kitten appears to not be feeding, check the nipple to make sure it is not clogged. The nipple should not drip milk but flow easily with pressure. This may take a few tries but eventually, the newborn kitten will get the hang of bottle-feeding. It is important to not over-feed your kitten. Once the kitten is finished or the ounce of milk is gone, your kitten is ready for the next step.

A mother cat stimulates her kittens to use the bathroom by licking the genital area. To mimic this motherly duty, simply lightly dampen a rag in the warm water and gently rub the area. You may not see results the first few feedings but it will occur. Urinating may take a bit longer than bowel movements. Now your kitten should be comfortable and cared for and will be ready for a nap.

Your newborn kitten should gain at least half an ounce every day for the first couple of weeks. It is highly recommended to take the kitten to your veterinarian to make sure everything is working properly. If you should have any doubts, if your kitten isn't gaining weight, or using the bathroom properly, seek veterinarian care as soon as possible.

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