With the right tools , convention , and patience , you may give a newborn kitty what she needs to grow into a hefty cat .
When it comes to feed new-sprung kittens , it ’s hard to overreach Mother Nature . A female parent cat ’s milk render everything a growing kitten need to thrive . Sadly , though , orphan kittens do materialise , either when the mother computerized axial tomography dies circumstantially or if she moves her babies to a different fix and unexpectedly give one behind . That ’s when you need to tread in and take over mom ’s line of work .
Luckily , orphan newborn kittens can still eat with the help of kitten rule and bottle feeding . Through a careful schedule , a high - quality kitten Milk River alternate , and lots of patience , your kitty will be on their way to a strong and healthy development .
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What To Feed a Newborn Kitten
Newborn kitty should be fed a commercial-grade kitten milk replacement , a product that performs the same function as human baby normal . you could encounter commercial kitten milk replacer for sales agreement at your local pet storage or veterinary ’s federal agency . It ’s best to cleave to stigma certified by theAmerican Association of Feed Control Officials , which means the intellectual nourishment meets the nutrition requirements recommended by veterinary expert .
Carlene Strandell , founding father and director ofSmitten with Kittens , a non - profit , foster - based kitten rescue that manoeuver in Tallahassee , Fla. , says that feeding newborns ask two things : a feeding bottle and kitten rule .
" you could buy a kitten nursing bottle and formula at a pet memory ( or pet section in a big boxful store ) , " Strandell says . She say to feed newborn kittens a formulated milk replacer , which ply a arrant and balanced mix of calories , vitamins , and mineral kitty demand to grow .
Corinne Mucha
Kittens should never be fed human child formula orcow ’s milk . Because kittens do n’t have the enzymes to properly digest lactose , cow ’s Milk River can promptly causediarrhea , desiccation , and even death . In a emergency , Strandell say you may use goat ’s Milk River until you rule a kitten milk replacement — but it should n’t be longterm .
Choosing Kitten Formula
Commercial kitten milk replacement is designed to mimic a female parent cat ’s Milk River and by and large comes in two soma : wry or give the sack . Dry versions are easier to expend because you may make as much formula as you need , contract waste and cost . Strandell say that juiceless formula is also less likely to cause digestive upset in your kitten .
Once you choose a kitten Milk River replacing , follow the label directions carefully . Both tinned and ironical kitten formula must be refrigerated after opening and should be used before the exhalation escort . new formula should sense more or less dulcet . If there is a bitter or discriminating smell , it ’s in all probability spoiled and should be thrown aside .
Strandell also recommends using unflavored Pedialyte electrolyte solution instead of water for kittens who are macabre ordehydrated . The answer can help provide the glucose and electrolytes the kitten motivation , though you should be sure to check with a veterinary if the kitty appears unwell .
How To Use Kitten Formula To Feed a Newborn Kitten
Until yourkitten can eat upstanding foodon their own ( normally 6 to 8 week ) , they ’ll necessitate to be bottle - fed . As a ecumenical rule , new-sprung kitten should be fed less than a tablespoon of Milk River replacement every 2 to 3 60 minutes . As kittens age , the time between meals and amount of pattern fed each meal can increase . This chart declare oneself a general guide , but all kittens are dissimilar , so be sure to check with your vet to see what formula amount andfeeding scheduleis mighty for your cat .
Once you know how much normal your kitten needs , it ’s time to feed . Here ’s how to safely bottle - provender a newborn kitty :
Making Kitten Formula at Home
Although using commercially formulated kitten Milk River replacement is advocate , you may not have any available in an pinch . Most adult big cat are lactose intolerant and kittens lack the enzyme to properly stomach lactose , so cow ’s milk is not considered an acceptable substitute as it can make stomach upset . If kitten milk replacement is unavailable , in an emergencyyou can make your ownusing a mix of karo sirup , goat ’s milk , egg yolks , and gelatin .
