How to Feed a Kitten Milk

Most kittens feed off the milk of their mother, but in some circumstances the mother is not available due to illness, abandonment or death. There are some 70 million stray cats in the U.S. Of those cats classified as fertile, they will produce one to two litters a year, with an average number of 4 to 6 kittens per litter. If the mother is not available to care for these great many kittens, they will need a human's attention to be nursed. Here's what you need to know if you find yourself having to be a kitten's mother.

Things You'll Need

Nursing bottle and nipples
Soft towels
Plain yogurt
Commercially purchased milk re-placer
Warm damp paper towels

Instructions

- 1
  Sterilize the bottle and nipples with boiling water. Once the bottles have completed sterilization, fill with .09 ounces of milk replacer, and a drop of plain yogurt.
- 2
  Gather the kitten in one to two soft towels and secure comfortably face down in the feeders lap.
- 3
  Check the kitten's temperature prior to feeding to ensure body warmth.
- 4
  Place the kitten's head gently into the palm of the feeders' hand. Guide the bottle's nipple into the kitten's mouth. The kitten should begin suckling right away.
- 5
  Evaluate the ability of the kitten to nurse and determine its success in getting milk from the nipple. If the kitten cannot suck milk from the bottle, test the nipple to make sure that it's not clogged.
- 6
  Stimulate the suckling instinct by gently stroking the head and back of the kitten while reinserting the nipple into the kittens' mouth.
- 7
  Burp the kitten when they have completed nursing. Do not burp too hard or often as this may cause the kitten to vomit.
- 8
  Stroke the kittens' anus and genital area with a damp paper towel to stimulate the elimination of waste. This mimics the licking behavior of a mother cat.
- 9
  Place the kitten in its bed and allow it to rest until it is time for the next feeding two hours later.