Supplies Needed for Bottle Kittens

Summary

In addition to the basic kitten care supplies outlined in the Basic Supplies Needed When Caring for Kittens article, bottle kittens require their own special supplies. Depending on the availability of these supplies in your area, you may need to order them online and have them on hand before your kittens arrive. This article outlines the essential supplies you will need for bottle kittens.

Supplies Needed for Bottle Kittens

Once you’ve decided on a space for housing the bottle kittens, you will need essential items to provide for their daily care.

Essential Supplies for Bottle Kittens

• A safe heat source that kittens can move onto and off of
• Small scale that weighs in grams
  Kittens must be weighed daily as lack of weight gain (or weight loss) is often the first—and sometimes the only—sign that something is going wrong with them. Kittens should gain weight every day. Kitchen and small postal scales work well.
• Supply of non-looped linens like fleece or flannel to use as bedding for the kitten and to provide a layer or two of fabric to cover heating sources. White or other light-colored, unpatterned bedding is helpful in detecting the color of urine, feces or discharges that may indicate signs of illness.
• Feeding Bottles
  Small, plastic pet nursing bottles typically come with lines broadly indicating the amount of formula the kitten has consumed. Some bottles are angled so you can more comfortably feed kittens in the proper prone feeding position.
• Nipples
  The “best” nipples depend on the ages and preferences of individual kittens. For kittens less than approximately 280–340 grams (10–12 ounces), a small Miracle Nipple works well. These nipples have precut openings; other nipples require openings to be cut, which can be tricky. Cutting an opening that is too small requires extra effort for the kittens to be able to suckle, while cutting the opening too large can cause too much milk formula to come out too quickly. This can pose a serious risk to the kittens as formula can go into their lungs if they cannot swallow fast enough.
• Syringes
  Some caregivers prefer feeding using a syringe instead of a bottle, especially for debilitated or weak kittens. Syringes, if used properly, can provide the caregiver with better control of the amount of formula being delivered to the kitten. For example, some very young kittens (such as premature kittens) or very weak kittens may need to receive only 0.1 or 0.2 ml and then be allowed to swallow before getting more. Syringes allow for this control. They also have smaller measurement increments than bottles, allowing caregivers to precisely determine the amount of formula kittens consume.Additionally, some kittens may prefer a syringe to a bottle. A Miracle Nipple will also fit on a syringe. 1 ml or 3 ml oral syringes or luer slip tip (no needle) syringes are suitable sizes for delivering controlled amounts. Depending on the size and condition of the kitten, you may need to refill the syringes several times to provide an adequate total amount of formula for the feeding.WARNING: Never push the plunger to force the formula into the kitten; this could cause formula to go into the kitten’s lungs and lead to aspiration pneumonia, which could prove fatal.
• Kitten milk replacement formula
  Choose a quality powdered or liquid formula such as Breeder’s Edge® or KMR®, and stick to it unless a problem develops. Avoid homemade formulas as creating one with all the nutrients that kittens need is difficult. Also, avoid switching types (powder versus liquid) of the same brand, or entirely switching brands as this can cause GI upset or diarrhea in kittens. If you need to switch types or brands, do it gradually over seven to ten days by mixing in the new with the old. Mix powdered formula with filtered or distilled water rather than tap water if possible. While it is best to feed the freshest formula possible, many mixed formulas can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours; do not mix more formula than will be consumed in that time period. Powdered formula provides more flexibility to mix up just the amount you need for 12-hour periods. Also, it allows you to more easily dilute or concentrate the formula for the kitten’s needs. Depending on the formula brand, the container of powdered formula may need to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer between mixings.
  Tip: Smell unmixed kitten formula before you use it before you use canned powdered formula, open the can and smell it. Formula can go bad depending on how it has been stored, even if it is not expired. It should smell sweet; if it smells like rancid oil, it is bad and should be discarded.
• Electrolyte Mixture
  Unflavored Pedialyte®, Kitten Lyte™ or another electrolyte mixture that can be used for kittens may be needed for dehydrated kittens or to replace hydration and electrolyte losses due to, for example, diarrhea or vomiting.
• Toilet paper to use while stimulating kittens to urinate and defecate.
• Collars
  Small collars may be needed to distinguish kittens who look too much alike so weight charts and other medical notes are accurate for the particular kitten. As bottle kittens are so small, look for collars with a small width. Options include KVP Temporary ID bands (formerly EJAY bands). You can also make a small collar using masking or painters’ tape, cut to size. Be sure to fold the sticky sides together lengthwise so the tape does not stick to the kitten’s fur. As kittens grow, the ID bands must be changed or expanded.
• Probiotics labeled for cats, such as Fortiflora®, Proviable® or Bene-Bac®, can be used to help reestablish or maintain the kittens’ gastrointestinal bacterial flora.
• High-calorie supplements, such as Nutri-Cal® or Karo® syrup, can be used to give compromised or fading kittens a “boost” in energy.
• Safe, cleaning supplies for housing, bedding, feeding supplies, and the general area around where the kitten is being housed. Don’t forget the importance of washing your hands before and after working with the kittens and keeping your clothing clean. Pathogens can be transmitted to kittens via hands, clothing and other objects like bedding, toys and even pens used to write on weight or medical charts.

Other Basic Supplies for Bottle Kittens

• A whisk or blender ball and bottle or jar with tight-fitting lid to help thoroughly mix powdered formula. Let the formula sit for several minutes after mixing so air bubbles can surface and dissipate before feeding the formula to the kittens.
• A container for storing unused formula
• Small, sharp scissors or an Exacto knife to cut an opening in the nipple
• Gauze pads, tissues or cotton balls for removing debris from around the face
• Fleece blanket to keep the kitten off cold, hard surfaces during feeding
• Tube feeding supplies if you are trained to tube feed