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My newborn kitten won't eat or latch onto the bottle. What can I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

I found a week old kitten and I bought a feeding kit but the kitten doesn't seem to want to eat. It doesn't latch onto the bottle or eat. What to do?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Laura E. McRae

Veterinary Technician

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.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 29th, 2019

    Many kittens which are used to nursing will refuse to be bottle or syringe fed. From 10-12 days most kittens will take semi solid food better than milk replacement liquids - my preferred options are royal canin recovery or starter mousse which can be fed slightly warm through a syringe or on a saucer to allow them to lick it. If not, tube feeding by your vet may be the last resort to get calories into them!

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