Supplementary Feeding of Kittens

When Should You Supplement Feed a Kitten?

There are various reasons why kittens may require supplementary feeding.

The mother cat may reject the kittens, have an insufficient milk supply, or develop a mammary gland infection. In the worst-case scenario, the mother cat may pass away.

Newborn kittens cannot drink from a bowl. They need to receive kitten milk using a feeding teat. To do so, the kittens must be able to suckle on their own. If they can’t, visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. It may be necessary to feed the kittens using a stomach tube.

During the first 24 to 48 hours after birth, the mother cat produces colostrum—the first milk that contains high levels of antibodies. These are essential for providing the kittens with initial immune protection. Kittens are born without any natural immunity. If they cannot nurse from the mother during the first 24–48 hours, feed them colostrum so they can still receive these vital antibodies.