How to Feed Baby Lions

Lion cubs come into this world needing food and nutrition from their mother. There are times when the mother cannot take care of her lion cubs and they are taken away. When this happens, humans step in to care and feed lion cubs so they grow to become adult lions. Feeding a lion cub may seem challenging and somewhat frightening but it can be a rewarding experience. When you are feeding lion cubs you should handle them with care.

Things You'll Need

  • Large bottle
  • Eyedropper
  • Zoologic Milk
  • Meat
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use an eyedropper to feed the lion cub Zoologic Milk during the first week after its birth. Zoologic Milk is milk that is specifically formulated for exotic animals, such as lion cubs. Place the eyedropper into the milk and pull up enough to fill the dropper. Feed the lion cub with the dropper every hour. After the first week, the lion cub can have a full bottle of milk.

    • 2

      Use a large bottle with a nipple to bottle feed the lion cub. Mix 28.2 grams of Zoologic Milk with 71.8 grams of water. The lion cub should drink one pint of milk everyday. When you are bottle feeding the lion cub, make sure the cub is sitting on its stomach. Feeding the cub when its on its back may cause the cub to choke. The cub may climb your arm while feeding, trying to reach the bottle. Store the remaining milk in a cool place.

    • 3

      Feed the lion cub solid food, when the cub is about 4 or 5 weeks old. Start by giving the cub a few small, lightly cooked pieces of beef, chicken or turkey. Shredding the meat may be best for the cub. As the cub grows, you can gradually introduce bigger chunks of meat. Discuss with your veterinarian, in more detail, when to introduce raw meat within the cub's diet.

    • 4

      Provide fresh water for the lion cub at all times. Lion cubs need fresh water to keep them hydrated. Keeping a bowl of water around for the cub is sufficient.