Expert: Jessica - 4/12/2010

Question
My boyfriend and I have adopted a pair of 3-week-olds.  WAY too young, I know, but they were abandoned.  We bought some formula and a little bottle from a vet office.  They seem healthy in all respects--wobbling around, exploring, playing with and grooming each other--they're very active!  The only problem:  they won't eat.  They won't take the bottle or the syringe, and when we hold them still to drip milk on their mouth, they scream bloody murder.  What are we doing wrong?

Answer
Hi Sydney.  It's difficult to say why the kittens would be so adverse to taking the formula.  It could be because of upset bellies.  Abandoned kittens are often constipated, because they require mom to stimulate bowel movements until they are 3-4 weeks old.  A constipated kitten won't want to eat.  However, if the kittens had been nursed by mom up until now, it can be very difficult to switch them onto formula.  The taste and texture will seem foreign to them, so this may be the only problem.  If you haven't witnessed a bowel movement, I would recommend to try to stimulate them by using some cotton balls moistened with warm water to massage their anal area in a gentle circular motion.  If they are constipated, they will probably fuss and strain, and it may take a while for them to pass stool.  You may need to manually remove stool that is difficult for the kittens to pass completely.  You should consult a vet about using a gentle lubricant laxative if the kittens appear to be straining to defecate but are unable to, and they could even need an enema administered by the vet.

If they are defecating on their own already, or they are defecating freely with stimulation, it's also possible they have an infection.  This is probably unlikely since the kittens are active, but sometimes an antibiotic is worthwhile when kittens are refusing to eat.  They are at an age now where antibiotics aren't so risky.

Keep trying to give the kittens formula with the syringe or an eye dropper.  You will need to be very patient and give it a drop at a time until they accept the strange substance.  Be sure the formula stays at body temperature (100 degrees F for kittens).  Remember it will cool quickly in a syringe, so it should be replaced with warm formula regularly.  Cool formula won't be eaten eagerly, and it is dangerous in the digestive system.  Also, if you are using premixed formula from a can or carton, you may want to see about using powdered formula that you must mix fresh before each meal.  Some people have the best luck with the liquid formula, but my kittens always like the powdered formula best.

If the babies still won't accept the formula, check around with vets, shelters or friends to see if anybody has a nursing mother that could foster the kittens for you.  Most mothers take on kittens that aren't their own to nurse without any problems.  If you do so, though, be sure the mother has tested negative for the feline leukemia virus, as she can pass this to kittens when she grooms them.

If you aren't able to find a foster mom and the kittens still won't take formula, they are getting to the age where they can begin on soft solid foods that are very dense in calories, such as Hill's a/d or Royal Canin's Recover RS.  These have a creamy consistency, and mixed with formula, they can be fed with a syringe.  They don't pose as much of a choking hazard when force fed because of the thicker consistency.  The kittens might be more apt to eat these than the formula.  These foods are by prescription only.  Discuss feeding these mixed with formula with your vet as a last option if the kittens won't take the formula fed straight.

Best wishes!

Jessica