Even those with the hardest hearts can be moved by the shadowy outline of a scrawny little sick kitten. Their delicate frame and listless eyes call for compassion and care.
As a loving kitten parent, knowing what to feed a sick kitten is crucial to their recovery. Nutrition plays a vital role in restoring their health and vitality.
In this article, we will explore the best food for a sick kitten, depending on the age of the kitten.
Birth to 4 weeks
You may need to offer milk replacement formula in a bottle or a small amount of milk on a plate for the kitten to lap up. The best milk replacement is called KMR (Kitten Milk Replacement).
Heat the milk until it is warm to the touch and place the milk in a kitten nursing bottle. The milk should gently dribble out when you squeeze.
Repeat feeding the kitten every 2–4 hours. The younger the kitten, the more frequently you should give the milk.
Kittens 4 to 6 weeks old
You can make the food by crushing high-quality dry food and mixing it with KMR. The younger the cat, the more liquid this mixture should contain.
Kitten closer to 6 week might have no problem moving onto mostly solid food, while those that are 5 weeks old and have never seen solid kibble will be less inclined to eat it.
Kittens 7 weeks and older
By this age, they can typically handle canned or dry food easily. Wet cat food is an excellent choice for sick kittens. The high moisture content helps prevent dehydration, and the soft texture is easier for them to eat, especially if they’re experiencing dental issues or mouth ulcers.
The problem is sometimes they just refuse to eat. So, you can encourage them by offering canned food. Try warming their food slightly to enhance the aroma and make it more appealing. You can also hand-feed them small, frequent meals to encourage eating.
Or, you might want to try offering small frequent feedings of a bland diet, such as skinless boiled chicken.
Try to hand feed your kitten to encourage them to eat. You can also mush up canned food to the point it is soft enough to pull into a syringe barrel and gently squeezing into your kitten’s mouth.
Read: What color is normal kitten poop?
Feeding Tips
Dehydration is a common concern for sick kittens. Make sure they have access to fresh water at all times. If they’re not drinking enough, consider using a syringe to administer water slowly and gently into their mouth. Offering a few spoonfuls of tuna juice in water can also stimulate cats to drink.
Don’t overfeed, for a kitten weighing about 5 pounds, try offering a piece of meat approximately one inch squared that has been sliced into smaller pieces. If your kitten does not begin vomiting, offer another small amount of food about one hour later.
Regularly monitor your kitten’s progress. If their condition improves, you can gradually transition them back to their regular diet under the guidance of your veterinarian.***