How to Bottle-Raise Kittens

Ideally, a mother cat should feed her newborn kittens. However, situations arise where the mother is unable to provide for her babies. It's not unusual for orphaned kittens to find themselves alone and unable to nurse from their mothers. In such cases, you can bottle-raise kittens to ensure they receive the nutrition their growing bodies need. Typically, kittens start to eat soft food on their own after 5 to 6 weeks of age.

Things You'll Need

  • Eye dropper or nursing bottle
  • Kitten formula and milk
  • Water
  • Paper towels
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mix water with dry kitten formula, according to the directions on the bag, in a nursing bottle. Most formulas need three parts water mixed with two parts formula. Use an eye dropper if the kittens are unable to suck on the bottle. Run the bottle under hot water if you choose to heat the formula.

    • 2

      Give the nipple of the bottle to each kitten. Hold it up above their mouths. Use the eye dropper with formula if the kitten refuses the bottle. Hold the kitten or lay him flat when feeding. Try propping up the kitten on a roll of paper towels while feeding him the bottle. This method keeps the kitten in a natural position for nursing and avoids squirming, which can lead to choking.

    • 3

      Stop feeding the kittens when they begin to refuse or pull away from the bottle. In the beginning, kittens require frequent but small feedings -- up to 10 per day. As they grow, decrease this number to four times a day.

    • 4

      Taper the kittens off the formula and bottle after four weeks. Begin feeding them dry cat food softened with water or cat milk.