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My kitten doesnt know how to eat.
- Thread starter sugi
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- Sep 12, 2011
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How old is this kitten, a newborn?
If a newborn or infant sometimes they don't know how to take a bottle right away, it is foreign to them. I found that wiggling the bottle a bit in their mouth and squeezing the bottle lightly to get just a drop out so that the kitten tastes the formula helps. Just keep trying it should catch on. I would also make sure the hole in the bottle is not to small, but not to big either or you can fill its lungs with formula. If the hole is good it will drip when held upside down or shaken, not a stream but a drip. Make sure the formula is warm not hot. Sometimes a kitten will refuse if they have to potty so stimulate them to go with a warm wet cloth or cotton ball first.
If a newborn or infant sometimes they don't know how to take a bottle right away, it is foreign to them. I found that wiggling the bottle a bit in their mouth and squeezing the bottle lightly to get just a drop out so that the kitten tastes the formula helps. Just keep trying it should catch on. I would also make sure the hole in the bottle is not to small, but not to big either or you can fill its lungs with formula. If the hole is good it will drip when held upside down or shaken, not a stream but a drip. Make sure the formula is warm not hot. Sometimes a kitten will refuse if they have to potty so stimulate them to go with a warm wet cloth or cotton ball first.
If you don't know how old the kitten is, can you post a picture so we can have an idea? And please do not give it cows milk - that can upset a young kitten so badly it could die. Get some kmr (Kitten milk replacement) from a vet or pharmacy and make it up according to the instructions. Or you can get goat milk from many supermarkets, that is also Ok. If a young kitten won't take a bottle then you can try it with a medical syringe, without the needle of course. You can get one at a pharmacy. Fill the syringe and insert the end into the side of the mouth, then very slowly let a little at a time into the mouth, giving the kitten time to swallow. Keep the kitten lying on its stomach while you di this - kittens will not eat lying on their backs and they could choke to death if you try it this way.
For an older kitten that does not yet have an idea of solid food, mix some pate kitten food with water to a soup like consistency and smear some on the side of the mouth or a paw. It will soon get the idea. Put the food on a flat plate and be prepared for a mess! Most kittens get their food all over themselves and the floor when they first eat.
If you are really failing to get some nourishment into this kitten then do not hang about but seek professional help, from a vet or even a pet store - someone who is used to dealing with young animals. Young kittens can starve very fast. Good luck.
For an older kitten that does not yet have an idea of solid food, mix some pate kitten food with water to a soup like consistency and smear some on the side of the mouth or a paw. It will soon get the idea. Put the food on a flat plate and be prepared for a mess! Most kittens get their food all over themselves and the floor when they first eat.
If you are really failing to get some nourishment into this kitten then do not hang about but seek professional help, from a vet or even a pet store - someone who is used to dealing with young animals. Young kittens can starve very fast. Good luck.
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