If I formula feed a weak newborn kitten, will mother cat stop nursing?

Question

I have a few day old kitten who is unable to nurse because she is weak and the others push her out of the way. If I give her formula will her mom stop allowing her to nurse? I just don't want her to die, she's so tiny and weak.

Silvia De Cecco, DVM, MRCVS · Accepted Answer

Difficult to say it in advance, sometime when they get used to the feeding bottle they won't breastfeed anymore, as it require more energy and effort. Sometime thanks to the replacement milk they gain weight and strength and they restart to "fight" for the mom breast. If you decide to use the replacement milk make sure mom cleans the kitten to promote defecation and urination. If she isn't, you have to replace her and gently stimulate the kitten genital area after every feeding so they can eliminate. I also recommend to keep the kitten warm and to seek veterinarian attention if there isn't any improvement or the kitten get worse. Good luck. Please post again on the forum if you would like to discuss it further. I hope my answer was helpful.

If I formula feed a weak newborn kitten, will mother cat stop nursing?

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