Summary
Caring for bottle kittens can be challenging, especially for novice caregivers. Being vigilant and familiar with the common problems you may encounter with these kittens will help you address them quickly and effectively.
Problems to Watch for When Caring for Bottle Kittens
Even caring for stable bottle kittens may present unique challenges.
A Bottle Kitten Doesn’t Eat
Note: If kittens are cold, hot or dehydrated, address these issues before feeding them.
Causes for a bottle baby not to eat include:
- The formula is not fresh or the temperature is incorrect (too cold or too hot).
- The nipple opening is not the correct size. It is too small and prevents successful suckling or too large and allows too much formula to flow.
- The bottle cap is too tight; an airtight cap prevents the formula from flowing easily when kittens suckle. Loosen the bottle cap slightly to allow air to replace milk in the bottle as the kitten suckles. This prevents a vacuum from forming in the bottle and will enable kittens to suckle effectively.
- Kittens have an upper respiratory infection; they cannot smell the food and are thus not interested in nursing, or they cannot breathe easily through their nose while also trying to suckle from the bottle.
- Kittens need to urinate or defecate. This makes them uncomfortable and decreases their interest in nursing. Stimulate them to urinate or defecate before offering the bottle.
- Kittens do not latch onto the nipple. Make sure to use a nipple that is appropriate to the size of the kitten and one that is shaped to their preference. Try putting the nipple into their mouth from the side and then move it to the front. Support their head from below so the bottle is at the proper angle (approximately 45 degrees). Wiggling the nipple in their mouth can help with a proper latch. Sometimes pulling the nipple back slightly encourages them to grab it and pull it back to suckle.
Bottle Kittens Are Sucking on Each Other
Cross-sucking occurs when one kitten nurses on the genitalia or other body parts of another kitten(s). Cross-sucking is dangerous and the sucking kitten(s) must be separated from the others to prevent it. It can cause:
- Digestive upset in sucking kittens because they ingested their littermate’s urine and feces.
- Poor appetite in sucking kittens because they ingested urine and feces and are full.
- The kitten being sucked on may have damage to the skin which can lead to a local infection, systemic infection and even death.
- The genetalia or other body part of the kitten being sucked on may become irritated or swollen causing potentially permanent damage to the organ or other tissues.
Signs of cross-sucking
Cross-sucking may be witnessed or the signs that it is occurring may be evident. They include:
- Wet bedding because the sucking kitten has stimulated a littermate to urinate or defecate.
- Wetness on a kitten’s ears, belly, anogenital area and back legs because they are being sucked on.
- Wet and smelly faces on sucking kitten(s) because their sucking stimulated litter mates to urinate or defecate on them.
- Reduced elimination when you stimulate kittens to urinate and defecate because sucking from their littermates already stimulated the kitten(s) to eliminate.
Sometimes sucking is done because the kitten is hungry or the kitten is displaying a comfort behavior (misplaced on a sibling instead of a mother’s nipple). If the behavior is due to hunger, try feeding the kitten first or shorten the duration between feedings. If the kitten is seeking comfort, they may suckle while falling asleep. If this is the case, monitor the kitten after feedings until he has fallen asleep. If he starts to suckle on a sibling, gently move him away slightly. If these interventions do not help and the kitten continues to suckle on littermates, the sucking kitten(s) must be separated from the other kittens when you are not present to monitor the behavior and step in when needed. It is best to put a clear plastic divider between them in their shared space so that they can at least see each other for companionship and emotional comfort. Alternatively, place them in different carriers, pens or plastic bins.
Death of Bottle Kittens
While most bottle kittens cared for by a trained caregiver have a very good survival rate, sadly, sometimes kittens succumb to illness or even a congenital defect that is not outwardly visible.
Even the most seasoned bottle kitten caregivers, through no fault of their own, may experience the sadness of losing a kitten. Remember, though, you are giving these kittens a chance they would not otherwise have. Their odds of making it on their own would be decidedly less. And, for the time they had with you, they were provided with comfort and love.
Try not to be discouraged. Talk with a trusted friend, fellow kitten rescuer, or veterinarian to see if there might be something that can be done differently for the next kitten. Sometimes there is, but sometimes everything is done correctly and things happen that are out of our control. There are so many kittens that need a caregiver – perhaps another bottle kitten or maybe an older kitten. You can be the difference for them.
