Bottle feeding a 6 week old kitten?

Question

Yesterday I got my kitten. Up until yesterday, he had been with his mother and twin. He eats both dry and wet food, but tries to suck off of my fingers. Tucker's just over 6 weeks old.

Would it be alright if I got a kitten bottle and fed him water out of it? I don't necessarily want to give him formula because I don't know if it'll make his tummy upset. Or should I just let him keep biting my fingers while trying to suckle them?

MJF · Accepted Answer

Poor little thing - it was taken away from it's mother about 6 weeks earlier than it should have been! I don't know why people think kittens are ready to be rehomed at such an early age - they are different to dogs (I wouldn't rehome -or buy- even a puppy at this age!!).
Your kitten is basically, a toddler. He's like a little child that is just walking, and eating some solid foods, but still reliant on his bottle.
You could try the bottle idea - it's very common for kittens to suck on the body parts of other animals and humans when taken from their mothers too early. He will grow out of it eventually, but it may not be for a while. I don't think you NEED to give him a bottle though - he'll learn to cope as he grows up.

Ocimom · Answer

No - he's out of the bottle stage, but really should have remained with mom and siblings till he was about 10 weeks old.  Kittens will nurse from mom up to 8 weeks.  That is why he is sucking your fingers.  Can you return him to mom for a few more weeks. 

From birth to 10-12 weeks old the kittens learn a lot and how to interact with siblings and adults.  By taking them from this they will develop a lot of behavior problems that new owners get frustrated with.  They need this time to be mentally and physically ready to leave.

If you cannot return the kitten (and if he's an only kitten it would be wise to adopt his sibling), then mix some canned kitten food with KMR (milk replacer) and warm water and make it a thicker soup.  Then put some on your fingers and let the kitten lick it off.  You only need to feed about a teaspoon of the mixture as the tummy is small.  But you will have to do this about 3 or 4 times a day.  Kittens don't really eat dry food till a few weeks later.  Canned is a lot better at this age.

Chitters · Answer

Let him nibble on your fingers if you want, but I'd either stop this completely now or "wean" him off your finger gradually. He didn't get to completely wean off his mother in that he can't just eat his food, walk over for some milk, then take a nap. Cats will do this when left to their own up until about ten weeks. Odd, huh?

As long as he's eating and drinking fine on his own, there's no need.

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Bottle feeding a 6 week old kitten?

3 Answers