Caring 4 Kittens
 
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Kitten Care

Feeding


The previous section of “What To Expect”, gave the total amount to feed in a 24-hour period. Below is a break down of those amounts into approximately how much you would expect a kitten to eat in one feeding. Remember, each cat can be different and these are general guidelines. Some kittens will eat more or less in one feeding and make up the difference in the next feeding. When your kitten will not eat for two feedings in a row that is an indication of a possible problem.

Different bottles have different measurements. 1cc equals 1ml and there are 15 cc or ml in 1 tablespoon.
 

FEEDING SCHEDULE
0 – 14 days old: bottle-feed 1/2 teaspoon formula every 2 – 3 hours
14 – 21 days old: bottle-feed 1 teaspoon formula every 3 – 4 hours
21 – 28 days old: bottle-feed 11/2 teaspoons formula every 4 - 6 hours
4 weeks old: 1-1/2 tablespoons (1-1½ oz.) formula every 6 – 8 hours. They can usually drink from a saucer by 4 weeks. Introduce canned food, mixed with warm water to form a soupy gruel (if they can lap formula, they should be able to make the transition to gruel). Offer gruel first, then formula as a back up.
5 weeks old: Feed gruel 4 times a day. Thicken gradually. Introduce dry food and water. They may not eat it at first but eventually they will start eating and drinking it on their own.
6 weeks old: Should be eating canned and dry food well.
7 weeks old: Offer canned food 3 – 4 times a day (each kitten will be eating a total of a little over one 5.5oz can of food per day). Leave a bowl of dry cat food and one of water for them to eat and drink at will.
8 weeks old: Offer wet food 2 times a day. Leave a bowl of dry cat food and water for them to eat and drink at will.
 

With no mom cat to fall back on for nursing, you are the kittens’ only resource, so it is important to ensure they are getting enough to eat. Your kittens will generally regulate their own food intake.

If they need more food, they may whine or suck on their littermates.

A good indication that they are getting enough to eat is the size of their bellies – they should be filled out after a meal, but not bloated.



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