Don’t use sweetened condensed milk since it will be too sweet for the kittens.
If the kitten is 2 or 3 weeks old, use 8–12 ounces (230–340 g) of gelatin instead. Use yogurt made with goat’s milk if possible to add more nutrients.
Avoid using more than 1 drop of vegetable oil per day since it can give the kitten diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration.
The simple formula keeps for up to 24 hours. Formula made with goat’s milk can last up to 1 week in the fridge. Never leave formula at room temperature after mixing it.
Call your local veterinary office if you need recommendations on which milk replacements to use.
Keep the kitten in the same room with you while you’re sleeping so you can hear it if it starts whining. If it isn’t making any noise, then check on it again 2 hours later.
Don’t feed a kitten while it’s cold since it won’t be able to digest the formula properly. Hold the kitten near your armpit since it’s one of the warmest spots on your body.
You can buy kitten nursing bottles from a veterinary office or pet store. You may also use a feeding syringe instead of a bottle. Don’t use a microwave to heat the formula since it can heat unevenly. If you don’t have a thermometer, put a drop of formula on the back of your hand to feel the temperature. If you can leave it comfortably on your hand for 20 seconds, then it’s a perfect temperature for the kitten. If it feels too warm, let it cool down for 5 minutes before checking it again.
If the kitten has trouble drinking from the bottle, try cutting a larger hole in the nipple with a pair of scissors or using a syringe instead. Put your finger in the kitten’s mouth if it doesn’t open up for the bottle.
Try patting the kitten’s back if massaging it doesn’t work.
Kittens can’t eliminate on their own, so be sure to stimulate them after each feeding to avoid any complications. If the kitten has loose or runny stool for 24 hours, take the kitten to a vet since there may be an underlying condition causing it.
