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• Pancreatic Illness
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• Feeding Newborn kittens
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• Rodent Ulcer and Stomatitis in Cats

Feeding Newborn kittens

The newborn kittens have their own environment and normal nutrition requirements that are fulfilled by their mother. Still, there are a number of difficult situations that may make the loose their mother and depend on your for feeding and care. You may obviously feel some fear or anxiety while caring the newborn kittens. Here are some tips that can help you -

• You can make out that the kitten is hungry and needs feed when they keep on crying continuously or move their heads from side to side and suckle on nearby objects.
• Prepare feeding supplies and sterilize the kitten size baby bottles and nipples. Also keep a large towel, rough textured washcloth, a bowl of warm water on a table next to a comfortable chair.
• Fill your bottle with the amount you want of artificial kitten milk replacement. Warm the formula and place the bottle in the bowl full of very hot water to make it about 95° to 100° Fahrenheit or body temperature. Have the flow just right.
• Sit in the chair using towel that is folded in your lap. Position the kitten facing downwards on it. The kitten should be warm prior to feeding.
• Place the nipple in the kitten's mouth without lifting the head of the kitten. If everything goes alright by now, you can continue nursing till you are done. Keep in mind not to overfeed. If there is any problem in nursing or the kitten feels any trouble to get the milk, you should check the nipple. The nipple should not dribble milk when placed upside down.
• It will be helpful to stroke kitten's head or softly pat his back to begin nursing. He will gradually learn it and will be ready to be nursed readily.
• Kittens may require to get burped after nursing. It is very well done by placing one hand under abdomen and patting gently at his upper back. You should not do it too hard as you may make him vomit this way.
• If kitten doesn't burp at that time, you may take a warm, damp or rough washcloth or paper towel and rub it on his anus and genital area. The mother does this by using her rough tongue to stimulate her kitten. It may require a few feedings to get the results. Urinating can take a little longer.
• Your kitten may want to sleep after nursing. You may then put him back on bed and let him sleep peacefully without being disturbed.
• Your newborn kitten may need feeding about 9 to 12 times in a day. It counts on his size and consideration. You can count about feeding him in each two hours or so, round the clock, for the beginners.
• For the frequency and time of feeding, you should feed the young kittens for the each of four or six hours per day. If you can, stay up by midnight to give them feed. When kitten is three weeks old give it five feedings in a day. At four weeks of age make the kitten have some solid and nutritious food for about two to three times in a day.

Copyright, 2006 animalhealthline.com