You have just welcomed a kitten in your home, or your female cat has just given birth to one or more kittens but cannot take care of them? It is then your duty to take over by feeding it. To grow up and to ensure its future health and normal development, the kitten needs mother’s milk.
What equipment to feed a kitten?
To enable you to feed your kitten properly, you will need a minimum of equipment: a kitten or small animal bottle and suitable milk. Above all, do not use cow’s milk, as your kitten will not tolerate it and it will cause diarrhea that could endanger her. Opt for special kitten formula that you will have to present him with warm milk, as if it came from his mother’s teats.
The kitten’s immune system is very fragile. Therefore, to avoid any transmission of germs, it is recommended to sterilize the bottles before using them. Also remember to clean your hands carefully before handling your young pet.
When and how to give him a bottle?
To achieve normal growth, the kitten needs a certain quantity of milk that will have to be adapted as he grows and until his weaning at around 8 weeks:
- From birth to 8 days: 5 ml of milk, 8 times a day every 3 hours.
- The following 15 days: 10 ml of milk, 6 times a day.
- Until he is 2 months old and weaned, you will decrease the frequency with 15 ml of milk at each bottle feeding.
From 8 weeks of age, after reducing the frequency of feeding, you can start giving him kitten food, and then switch to kibble.
In order to feed your kitten in the best conditions, you must avoid putting him in an uncomfortable position that would inevitably lead to poor digestion or difficult transit.
To feed him well, position him in your hand in a practically sitting position. Then press down on the bottle and let your kitten do the rest, at her own pace.
When your kitten is fed by her mother, she stimulates her lower abdomen to promote good transit. After each feeding, you should massage her belly so that she can relieve herself more easily. Finally, to help her digest comfortably, place her in a warm place under a blanket.
How do you know if a kitten is growing well?
The weight of a kitten at birth is more or less 100 grams. You should then weigh your kitten at least once a week to know if it is growing normally. Until the age of 6 months, a kitten should grow 10 to 20 grams per day, or 100 grams per week. If you notice a delay in growth, take your kitten to your veterinarian for a consultation.
