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My cat died. Can newborn kittens survive without food overnight?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My cat gave birth two days ago. She left the house at about 10 and we found her dead this night. I’m worried about the kittens. We have no food to give them and all stores are closed. Will they survive till tomorrow

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 17th, 2020

Oh no, this is so sad! They cannot survive overnight without food. Check out this link below for emergency formula recipes, and first thing in the morning go get them kitten formula. I will also put a link below on how to care for orphan kittens. I hope this helps! https://kittenrescue.org/2017/03/recipes-emergency-kitten-formula/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-raise-orphan-kittens/

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Hello. I have a cat that gave birth to some kittens 4 hours ago. It seems like one of them doesn't understand how to feed of the mother. We're thinking about bottle feeding it, but it is 12.00 in the evening here I live, and everything is closed u
Hi John! I would be afraid ti could die overnight as newborn kittens are extremely fragile and cannot last long without feeding. You can try to get him to feed. Rub a nipple near his mouth or at the side of his face. This should stimulate him to open his mouth, which will allow you to gently put the nipple inside. Once he feels the nipple on his tongue, that should stimulate his natural sucking reaction. If this doesn't work, then yes you will have to bottle feed him. He will need a kitten formula and a bottle, which you can get from a grocery store. If the grocery isn't open all night, there is an emergency formula recipe you can give him to hopefully get him through the night. I will include a link to a website below that details how to bottle feed a kitten and that has the recipe. The emergency formula recipe is found under the section "bottle feeding." Best of luck! https://www.2ndchance.info/orphankitten.htm
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Hello! My cat loka died today, She left 2 (4-week) old kittens, What should I feed them and How? Thank You
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I will put a link below to an emergency kitten formula, but you will need to get the kitten formula as soon as the stores open in the morning. I hope this helps! https://kittenrescue.org/2017/03/recipes-emergency-kitten-formula/
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