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My 6-week-old kitten won't eat. Should I syringe feed and how much?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 1 month and 5 days old

I’m feeding a six week old kitten moist food through a syringe, because it won’t eat, but will drink water out of bowl, how much do I feed her at a time and how many times a day.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 20th, 2018

At six weeks of age, it's time for Heavenly to start eating a kitten formulated food. Because she will drink water out of a bowl, she can eat food out of a bowl and you do not need to syringe feed her. I can give you a method to wean her onto dry food. To help her wean and to get used to dry food, I would soak a high quality kitten formulated dry food in warm water until soft. Then mix that with kitten formula such as KMR to make a mush the consistency of oatmeal. Over the next two weeks, gradually increase the amount of dry kitten food and decrease the amount of water and KMR you use until she is eating the dry kitten food only. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

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    Answered By Karly Macon, DVM, MS, CVA Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 21st, 2017

    You have to stop using the bottle, or she won't learn. As long as you have canned kitten food, or moisten a dry kibble, she shouldn't have any trouble eating the new diet. If you keep offering the bottle, she isn't going to get the idea. Hand feed her small amounts when she's hungry and she'll figure it out!

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 5th, 2018

    It appears that your kitten is not ready yet to be weaned. You should still bottle feed her, but offer one small meal with canned kitten food, You will need to show her that the canned food is edible, by taking a little bit and putting it in her mouth , then showing her where it comes from (the plate). You may have to do this often , but gently. Usually cat mamas show the kittens what is good to eat, so you will have to do this. You can also set the kitten in front of the bowl and put your finger in the bowl and then immediately to her mouth. It takes patience. By the time your kitten is about 6 weeks old, it should be easier,

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