Why won't my 3-day-old kitten drink formula? What should I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
A 3 day old kitten doesn't want to drink formula is that normal ?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 10th, 2015
That is not normal. I recommend getting the kitten seen by a vet right away. Such a tiny baby needs to eat every few hours. Many veterinarians will use an ordinary eye dropper or small syringe to utilize as a means of dispensing the milk replacer to the kitten. Most pet stores or veterinary clinics have nursing bottles, too, but be alert to the fact that some kittens cannot suck the contents through the small nipple. You may need to actually squeeze the milk out for the kitten while having the nipple in the kitty's mouth. Warm it up a little, too, under the hot water faucet! If it is after hours at your local animal hospital, your short-term solution will be to mix an egg yolk with a can of evaporated milk (make sure it is not the sweetened condensed milk). This is only a temporary "solution" (!) and should only be used for a couple of feedings. At the first few feedings the kittens will probably only consume a few cc’s worth of milk. (There are 5cc's in a teaspoon.) You will need to feed every couple of hours at first and gradually build up time between feedings as they begin to eat more at each meal. Start by offering a small amount. If the kitten won’t eat readily from the nipple and bottle, try an eyedropper or syringe and drip a little in the mouth, adding more as the kitten's pace. Make sure that the milk just above room temperature; try not to microwave since you can cause hot spots in the milk. Follow instructions on the milk replacer for mixing and storage. You will need to contact your veterinarian if the kitten has not eaten within 24 hours or is extremely weak. Once they get the hang of it, the kittens should consume the milk replacer greedily. You can stop the feeding when the kitten begins to slow down the consumption or becomes disinterested.
19Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 17th, 2015
It can sometimes be a challenge to transition an orphaned kitten from its mother's nipple to an artificlal nipple. Below are some tips that might help. (1) Make sure the hole in the nipple is large enough to let adequate milk through. If inadequate milk is coming through, the kitten may become frustrated and not want to suckle. (2) If needed, enlarge the hole by making a small cruciate cut in the nipple tip with a razor or utility blade. (3) Make sure that the formula you are feeding is warm to the touch (not hot) before feeding. Formula can be warmed by placing the bottle upright in a small container with hot water for a few minutes. (4) When you put the nipple in the kitten's mouth, squeeze a few drops of warm milk into its mouth. Let the kitten taste and swallow the milk. Then, try a few more drops. Repeat until the kitten begins to suckle. (Milk should flow easily out of the nipple when bottle is squeezed lightly but not come pouring out.) (5) Assist the kitten to eliminate urine and feces by rubbing the anogenital area with a warm, moisten cloth or paper towel. A kitten that has a full bowel or bladder may be too uncomfortable to eat. Assist with elimination after every feeding. (6) Keep your kitten warm and cozy. If the kitten is chilled, it will not eat. (6) If none of these tips helps, seek veterinary assistance. Your kitten may be too weak or sick to suckle. Tube-feeding may be required. Very young kittens can fade very quickly without a source of nourishment, so do not delay seeking professional assistance.
27Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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