How to Bottle Feed Kittens If They Don't Eat

Kittens under 8 weeks old require bottle feeding, even during weaning, if they cannot nurse from their mother because she is not available or unable to nurse. If your young kitten is too young to eat solid food on its own, you need to bottle feed it so it gets the nutrition it requires to stay healthy. Kittens who do not eat can suffer from hypoglycemia or dehydration, among other issues, according to PetPlace.com. Avoid any health problems by gently bottle feeding your kitten to ensure it stays healthy and well-fed.

Things You'll Need

  • Glass jar
  • Kitten milk replacement formula
  • 3 oz. condensed milk
  • 3 oz. boiled water
  • 4 oz. full-fat, plain yogurt
  • 3 Egg yolks
  • Pet nursing bottle
  • Sewing needle
  • Bowl
  • Towel or blanket
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Instructions

    • 1

      Boil about 2 to 3 cups of water for 5 minutes to kill any germs or bacteria in it. Store the water in a jar in your refrigerator to have it available to mix with kitten milk replacement formula powder.

    • 2

      Mix the kitten milk replacement formula powder, as directed on the package of the brand you use, with the previously boiled water. To keep the formula fresh, only mix enough for one day's worth of feeding, or about 1/2 cup. You can also make an emergency formula if you do not have access to canned or powdered kitten milk replacement formula. To make this, mix 3 oz. of condensed milk, 3 oz. of boiled water, 4 oz. of plain, full-fat yogurt and 3 large egg yolks in a bowl with a whisk, according to PetEducation.com.

    • 3

      Place the nursing bottle in boiling water for a minute or so to sterilize it before use.

    • 4

      Pour the kitten formula into a pet nursing bottle. If the bottle has no holes already on the nipple, poke two holes in the top with a sewing needle dipped in hot water. Make the holes small enough so that only a small amount of liquid comes out when the bottle is inverted.

    • 5

      Heat water in a bowl and place the bottle into the hot water to warm the formula to about 98 to 100 F. Test the formula on the inside of your wrist to ensure it is warm and not too hot.

    • 6

      Place the kitten on its stomach over a soft towel or blanket. For very young kittens, you can wrap the towel around a hot water bottle containing warm water to keep the kitten warm during the feeding.

    • 7

      Rub the formula on the nipple of the kitten nursing bottle so the kitten can taste it. Place the nipple into the kitten's mouth and squeeze a drop of milk into its mouth. The kitten should begin to suckle. Hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle to prevent air from getting into your kitten's stomach. Feed the kitten until it has a rounded belly and bubbles of milk come out of its mouth. Each serving should usually contain about 7 to 8 ml of formula for kittens 2 weeks or older, and 1 to 7 ml for kittens less than one week old, according to PetEducation.com.

    • 8

      Burp the kitten after feeding by holding it upright against your shoulder and gently patting its back or rubbing its abdomen with a finger.