If you've adopted or rescued a feline kitten, you're sure to have questions about how to feed the kitten. After all, the newborn has a super delicate health that needs very special care. In addition to keeping them warm and protected, guardians should also pay attention to feeding the little one, always opting for natural breastfeeding from the feline mother herself to the baby. Butin cases of abandonment or maternal health issues, it may often not be possible to create this bond. As a solution, guardians can opt for the use of artificial milk to keep the kitten fed and fully developing.

When to choose artificial milk for cats?

In all cases where the kitten cannot have contact with feline breastfeeding, artificial milk will be the veterinary recommendation. At these times, many guardians look for other solutions, such as a homemade newborn cat milk. However, even homemade recipes must be prescribed by a veterinarian, who will check the necessary nutrient intake for the little furry. In fact, theIdeally, the guardian should look for a wet nurse for the kitten in NGOs or rescue centers and never choose to offer cow's milk to the cat, the one that is sold in supermarkets. The common milk we consume can cause diarrhea and other discomfort in the furry.

Artificial milk for cats is an option on the pet market made to meet the nutritional needs of the kitten. It is a substitute for breast milk and will offer and the nutrients and vitamins necessary for the healthy development of the kitten. Easy to prepare, it is usually enough to dilute a powder in cold or warm water. Veterinary follow-up is necessary for the best guidance on how to prepare the milk.feed the kitten and assess its nutritional needs at all stages.

How to feed kitten: replacing the feline mother is a challenge

When it comes to how to feed abandoned kittens, the daily amount of formula milk, for example, should be consulted with a veterinarian. In general, kittens consume up to 30 ml of formula milk every three hours. In other words, kittens need to be fed 4 times a day. To make up for the absence of the mother, the guardian can offer the bottle, which must be suitable for kittensIn the absence of one, a syringe can help, but it is healthier to do this with the correct container: the bottle is usually small and has gauges on the outside to illustrate the amount. In addition, they have a small hole in the spout to encourage the kitten to suck.

The right way to feed a kitten milk is quite simple, but you should be careful. We advise you to prepare the artificial milk as requested by the manufacturer and offer the liquid at a temperature between 37°C and 39°C degrees. Under no circumstances squeeze the bottle, as the kitten itself is already sucking the liquid. If you notice that the kitten may choke, stop and offer it again when it is ready.This prevents drowning, which can lead to death.

How to feed a newborn kitten

In the case of guardians who are looking for how to feed a newborn and abandoned kitten, care must be redoubled. The care of the newborn cat and the instruction on how to feed a rejected kitten require more delicacy and affection: keep the little one very well warm with blankets and offer the milk with all the zeal. This will prevent further suffering for the newborn.The transition to other foods usually begins from the second month of life and is also preferably mediated by a veterinarian who will indicate the best sources of food, whether with sachets, kibble or the cat food itself.

How feeding kitten cat can become a necessity

Many factors can prevent breastfeeding. A cat may have six breasts and a litter of eight kittens may be born, for example. In situations like this, some kittens will certainly not have their nutritional needs met. In other cases, the mother may be unable to breastfeed due to the development of health problems that lead to the rejection of the kitten.

Generally she may have diseases such as Metritis or Mastitis in cats. Both are inflammatory conditions that make it impossible to breastfeed, causing pain in the area of the cat's breasts. They can be prevented with a delivery carried out in good hygienic conditions. In more serious cases of Mastitis, where the cause is bacterial, it is necessary to go to the vet to prevent a worsening. Feline Eclampsia alsocan affect the mother and happens when the cat breastfeeds and then cannot replace her calcium loss. This disease happens in the first weeks of postpartum and is noticed in the behavior of the mother cat, who will show constant discomfort and weakness. In these conditions, it is possible that the cat will not be able to give milk to the kitten.

From mother to baby: importance of feline breast milk for the kitten

As with humans, the nursing cat creates and strengthens the emotional bond with the kitten. This emotional bond is extremely important and will influence the behavior of the newborn kitten throughout its life. However, it may happen that the cat is unable to make this connection, either due to rejection, health, postpartum death or being separated from her litter. But, under conditionsnormal, it is essential that feline nursing takes place for at least the first four weeks of the kittens' life.

Feline mothers also produce colostrum, known as the first milk that the mother produces for her child. Rich in various nutrients, it is important in the first feedings because it is from the colostrum that the kitten receives antibodies (immunoglobulins) that will strengthen its immune system and prepare its body's defense against infections. In addition to kittens, if possible, kittens can also be given colostrum.Guardians should also be concerned about the health of the mother. At this time it is good to invest in plenty of water and good food so that she can recover and breastfeed healthily. Subsequently, castration is recommended to prevent new offspring.