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Is my week-old abandoned kitten eating enough formula? How to feed?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 9 days old | 0.7 lbs

I have an abandoned newborn kitten that I think is about a week old. I don't know how much food she is supposed to have, but I'm worried she isn't getting enough. She is only eating about 1/4 oz. of kitten formula or homemade "kitten glop" every feeding, which I alternate between because she doesn't seem to like the formula. She seems healthy, she moves around a lot, gains at least 1/2 an ounce daily, and has a nice round belly, but is she getting enough food? How can I get her to drink more?

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4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on August 24th, 2017

How much she needs to eat depends on the kitten formula that you use. There will be instructions on the packaging for her daily needed amount based on her weight, and you divide that amount into how many times per day you feed her. I would recommend that she stay on solely kitten milk replacer until 4 weeks of age, when you can start to introduce her to kitten food mixed with milk replacer. If she doesn't eat the full amount that she should from a pet bottle, you can have a vet show you how to tube feed her. Her large belly may be full of food, but it could also be full of worms. I would recommend that you deworm her when she is 2 weeks old. Here is a good article on raising orphan kittens: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=576

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    Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 29th, 2017

    Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. I recommend using KMR milk replacer for kittens. The amount to feed is typically 30mL per 4oz of body weight every 3-4 hours for weak small kittens and every 8 hours for stronger larger kittens. You shouldn't need to feed milk much longer though as most kittens are weaned off milk around 3-4 weeks of age and transitioned to cat food. I would wean off to a canned wet food to start and then later maybe consider a dry food as she gets older. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on August 7th, 2017

    Kittens this young should be fed every two hours. Beginning in the second week, they can be fed every 3 hours. Each kitten should be fed based on body weight, but the average 1 week old kitten needs 1-2 ounces of kitten milk replacer. Provide a secure, warm area for the mother and litter. Feed her a quality kitten food and keep food and water bowls close by. If she will nurse them, this is the best choice. Weigh them daily to confirm weight gain. You can follow the link for more information regarding the hand raising of kittens. http://www.2ndchance.info/orphankitten.htm

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    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on July 18th, 2018

    Hi there. At 6 weeks old, the kittens can be weaned on to solid food so that bottle feeding won't be necessary. I would provide them with a shallow dish of dry kitten food soaked in warm water, or canned kitten food if you prefer. Do this several times a day (every 3-4 hours, ideally), and let them eat as much as they want to. Until they get the hang of solid food, you can continue to bottle feed them after offering the kitten chow to make sure they're taking in enough nutrients.

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