My 4-6 week old kitten won't eat. Should it be on solid food?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed
We have a orphaned kitten. It's about 4-6 weeks old. We're having trouble feeding it. It won't eat. We got a kitten bottle and milk replacement for it
5 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 2nd, 2016
If the kitten is 4-6 weeks it should be fed solid food, not milk. You should try kitten wet food, warm it up before offering to the kitten. If kitten allows, you can hand-feed or even syringe feed. Please, remember that kittens at that age should be fed very small amounts every 2-3 hrs.
13Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on
You can estimate its age by weighing it,.Count 1 week per 100g of weight, so a 4 week old kitten should weigh close to or around 400g. Feeding: It is important that the milk replacer/kittenmilk is warm to the touch, but not hot. Make a crosswise cut in the nipple of the bottle so the milk flows freely, Make sure you clean the bottle and nipple well with hot water after every use. Your kitten will need to be fed about every 4 hrs, if it is 6 weeks old every 6 hrs, as much as it will eat. You will need to take over the duty of its mommy by taking a moist paper towel and stimulating its anus and urinary opening to pee and poop by gentky rubbing, You should have a veterinarian examine it to make sure it is healthy,. Sometimes kittens get abandoned by their mommy because they have a birth defect or are otherwise ill,. Do not feed it lying on its back. it needs to be on its belly to feed.
11Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on April 26th, 2017
I'm sorry to hear that Lola has had such a rough start! By 4 weeks old, you can start to introduce either canned kitten food or dry kitten food moistened with water. Some kittens prefer food to bottles or gruel mixtures (ehich are not generally balanced foods). Try offering a bit of water or kitten milk replacer in a shallow saucer. If Lola is unwilling to eat and drink in this manner too, she should go to her vet for another exam to determine if her infection has not resolved or if other medical issues exist. I hope that she's feeling better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on September 12th, 2017
I would recommend starting to bottle feed the kittens. it is important to weight them every day to make sure they are eating enough and gaining weight. Also at 4 weeks you could put out can kitten food and expose them to real food. If you feel a kitten is not doing well and cold I would recommend taking it to a vet to make sure if does not have an infection or virus. The vet can also show you how to stimulate them to use the restroom. I hope they feels better soon.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on May 16th, 2018
Small, frequent meals are best. Start with 3cc every few hours and then gradually increase the amount every few days by 1-2cc per feeding. Don't get up in the middle of the night to feed unless you want to. She should be fine to eat during the day until you go to bed and then again starting in the morning. I would try to avoid giving milk unless you use kitten milk replacer (ie: ESBILAC). The majority of cats are lactose intolerant (believe it or not) and dairy products can end up causing diarrhea and other issues. You are better off syringing mushed up kitten food or human baby foods (meat flavors). If you need to, add water to get it more liquidy. I actually like this food best for this situation: ( https://www.royalcanin.com/products/royal-canin-feline-health-nutrition-mother-babycat-canned-cat-food-ultra-soft-mousse/4057 ) CAUTION: Read the labels of the human baby foods carefully. DO NOT buy any food containing any form of onion or garlic (fresh, cooked, powder, etc) as they are toxic to cats. A serious condition called Heinz Body Anemia can result. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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