My sick kittens won't eat. Can I tube feed them safely at home?

Question

I'm fostering two small kittens. They are very very sick with URIS. They are on antibiotics and eye drops but the immediatge issue is they will not eat, they refuse to be bottle or syringe fed and just spit it up or refuse to swallow, making me scared to feed due to possible aspirating since they won't swallow. Over the past 3 days they have lost .5oz a day and they weigh 9 oz now. I'm a shelter tech and have heard of tube feeding. Is it risky? Is it something I can do myself? Is it complicated? Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | unneutered | 1 month and 9 days old | 0 lbs

Laura Johnson VMD · Accepted Answer

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Babies! At almost 5 weeks old these kittens can be completely weaned from a bottle. I always recommend bottle fed kittens start being weaned at 3 weeks old due to constipation or diarrhea side effects of the kitten formula. At this time, with them being so sick, I doubt they will start eating kitten food but you can try. Make sure their noses are clear from discharge so they can breath. Tube feeding is some what risky and you should be shown by a vet or an experienced tech before attempting. Once you are shown it is something you can do on your own but for kittens this old they may fight you on it. The risk is putting the tube down their tracheas instead of the esophagus and putting the food in their lungs causing death or aspiration. I overall recommend these kittens be re-evaluated by a Vet. Maybe they can teach you how to give subcutaneous fluids or teach you how to tube feed. They can consider starting an appetite stimulant. I hope this helps and I wish you and the kittens the best!

My sick kittens won't eat. Can I tube feed them safely at home?

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