Newborn Kitten Care Guide: What to Feed & How to Keep Them Healthy

Newborn kittens are delicate and require specialized care to ensure they grow into healthy, happy cats. If you’ve found yourself caring for a litter or an orphaned kitten, knowing what to feed them and how to properly care for them is crucial. This guide covers essential feeding tips, nutrition, and care practices for newborn kittens (0-4 weeks old).

1. What Do Newborn Kittens Eat?

Mother’s Milk: The Best Nutrition

The ideal food for newborn kittens is their mother’s milk, which provides:
✔ Colostrum (boosts immunity)
✔ Perfect balance of nutrients (proteins, fats, vitamins)
✔ Hydration & warmth

If the mother is present, allow her to nurse for at least 4-6 weeks.

Bottle-Feeding: Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR)

If the mother is absent or unable to feed, you’ll need kitten milk replacer (KMR)—never cow’s milk! (It causes diarrhea and malnutrition.)

✅ Recommended Brands:

PetAg KMR (Powder/Liquid)
Royal Canin Babycat Milk
Beaphar Lactol

❌ Avoid:

Cow’s milk
Human baby formula
Homemade recipes (unless vet-approved)

Feeding Schedule (0-4 Weeks)

Age	Feeding Frequency	Amount per Feeding
0-1 Week	Every 2 hours	2-4 mL
1-2 Weeks	Every 3 hours	5-7 mL
2-3 Weeks	Every 4 hours	8-10 mL
3-4 Weeks	Every 5-6 hours	10-15 mL

💡 Tip: Use a small nursing bottle or syringe and feed kittens on their stomachs (never on their back).

2. How to Feed Newborn Kittens

Bottle-Feeding Steps:

Sterilize equipment (bottle, nipple, syringe).
Warm KMR to body temperature (~38°C / 100°F).
Hold the kitten belly-down (like nursing naturally).
Let them suckle slowly—don’t force milk.
Burp them gently after feeding (like human babies).

⚠ Warning:

Overfeeding → Aspiration pneumonia
Underfeeding → Weakness, hypoglycemia

Signs of Proper Feeding:

✔ Steady weight gain (weigh daily)
✔ Round belly (but not bloated)
✔ Content, sleepy after meals

3. When to Start Weaning (4+ Weeks)

At 4 weeks, kittens can begin transitioning to solid food:

Mix KMR with wet kitten food (mushy consistency).
Offer shallow dishes for lapping.
Gradually reduce milk by 6-8 weeks.

✅ Best First Foods:

Royal Canin Mother & Babycat (soft mousse)
Hills Science Diet Kitten Pate
Purina Pro Plan Kitten Wet Food

4. Essential Newborn Kitten Care Tips

1. Keep Them Warm

Use a heating pad (low setting) or warm blanket.
Ideal temperature: 29-32°C (85-90°F) for the first week.

2. Stimulate Elimination

Mother cats lick kittens to help them pee/poop.
Use a warm, damp cotton ball to gently rub their genital area after each meal.

3. Monitor Health

🚨 Seek a vet if you notice:

No weight gain
Lethargy or crying nonstop
Diarrhea or bloating

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Using cow’s milk → Digestive issues
❌ Feeding too fast → Choking/aspiration
❌ Skipping vet check-ups → Hidden health risks

Conclusion

Raising newborn kittens requires patience, proper nutrition, and attentive care. Whether bottle-feeding KMR or assisting with weaning, following these guidelines will help them grow strong and healthy.

Have you ever cared for newborn kittens? Share your experiences in the comments! 😊

Mr. Cat Leo