THESE FILMS SHOW HOW DICKY BOTTLE-FEEDS A KITTEN,  AND STIMULATES IT'S ABDOMEN FOR PROPER ELIMINATION: CLICK HERE

 

FEEDING WITH A BOTTLE

If the mother is no longer present kittens will have to be bottle-fed. When they are 0-5 weeks old they are unable to eat or drink by themselves. When just born, they have to be given the bottle every 2 hours, day and night. To do this you need a small bottle with a nipple, and special formula like Lactol or KMR (Kitten Replacement Milk) available through the vet or online stores (it depends on where you are situated). If the kittens are in bad condition and need to be bottle-fed, you can ask the vet for Royal Canin/Waltham Feline Veterinary Diet - Convalescence Support Instant Diet. This is a very high-quality and high-energy prescription diet which can be used for kittens as bottle-feeding or tube-feeding. It's been especially developed for malnourished and recuperating cats and kittens, and can be used for both kitens and the mother if needed.  Nutri-dropscan also be very helpful. Click here for more information. Never give ordinary cow's milk: it contains too much lactose and causes digestive problems. How to bottle-feed kittens: The nipple's opening shouldn't be too big, or the feeding will flow out too fast and the kitten will choke. Place the nipple in it's mouth. Every kitten will start to suckle automatically, in a reflex, so don't interfere and let it find it's way. This way you stimulate the urge to drink. See to it that they drink enough, and keep an eye on the marking on the bottle. It's better to give a few smaller feedings - instead of too much in one feeding - to prevent them from vomiting or choking. Place the kitten in the palm of your hand to keep them warm and give support to  their little backs. It also gives them a feeling of comfort and security. WARNING: Never feed a kitten with a bottle while holding the kitten on it's back. It should be in an upright position, supported by your hand, for instance held against your breast for warmth. Bottle-feeding schedule for kittens starting at birth:   Weight of kitten How often How much 100 - 200 grams every 2 hours 2,5 to 5 ml  with a maximum of 60 ml. per day. 200 - 300 grams every 2 to 3 hours 5 to 12,5 ml with a maximum of 120 ml. per day 300 - 360 grams every 3 hours 12,5-15 ml  with a maximum of 120 ml. per day. 360 - 420 grams  every 4 hours  15 to 30 ml with a maximum of 200 ml. per day If they weigh more than the 420 grams in the chart you can try to guess their age and see if they will accept other food too, like Nutrix rice pudding. Adjust the amount according to what they seem to want. Of course don't overfeed, but the kitten must feel satisfied and full after a feeding. Warning: never give Brinta (wheat product) which has too much fiber and can cause diarrhea. Give only easily digestible porridge like Nutrix, mixed with Litterlac, KMR or Lactol. Kitten's needs will be different, so if a kitten doesn't drink enough in one feeding, add an extra feeding to the schedule. You may have to feed newborn kittens every other hour at first, to get them back to the weight that they had at birth.  Pick the kitten up when it's time to feed....don't let it sleep: it needs to get into the rythm so that it will get the necessary nourishment.   After every bottle-feeding the kitten will have to relieve itself. To stimulate the bladder and digestive system softly massage the anus and abdomen with a warm damp wool cloth. This is very important and crucial: kittens need to defecate every day and urinate a little after every feeding. The stool should not be too hard or too watery. The first few days after birth the stool will be very dark, and then slowly change to a lighter colour. If the kitten doesn't defecate, it may get dangerously constipated, in which case you should contact your vet. Do likewise if the stool is too watery, because the kitten may become dehydrated. Kittens without a mother will have to be kept warm. Use hot water bottles or bags. The bags to lie upon, and the metal baby bottles to lie against. Best is to put the bottles in those plush cuddly toy-backpacks for kids.  Attention: if you don't use a plush cover for the hot water bottles the kittens may get burned. Watch out that the bottles and bags are closed tight. Rewarm the bottles after every feeding. The plush bottle-covers are important because as the kittens will grow they will start to cuddle them, and tread and knead them with their little feet. Or they may start to suckle on it. You'll need a few spare covers so you can clean the used ones regularly.

 

© M.A. de Boer 2003-2004. All rights reserved.  Nothing may be copied in any form without permission of the author who can be contacted via the email-link above.