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My newborn kitten won't nurse. How to help it survive overnight?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | 1 month old

Hello. I have a cat that gave birth to some kittens 4 hours ago. It seems like one of them doesn't understand how to feed of the mother. We're thinking about bottle feeding it, but it is 12.00 in the evening here I live, and everything is closed until 8 in the morning. Should I be afraid if it will die overnight? Is there something I can do? John

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 1st, 2018

Hi John! I would be afraid ti could die overnight as newborn kittens are extremely fragile and cannot last long without feeding. You can try to get him to feed. Rub a nipple near his mouth or at the side of his face. This should stimulate him to open his mouth, which will allow you to gently put the nipple inside. Once he feels the nipple on his tongue, that should stimulate his natural sucking reaction.

If this doesn't work, then yes you will have to bottle feed him. He will need a kitten formula and a bottle, which you can get from a grocery store. If the grocery isn't open all night, there is an emergency formula recipe you can give him to hopefully get him through the night. I will include a link to a website below that details how to bottle feed a kitten and that has the recipe. The emergency formula recipe is found under the section "bottle feeding." Best of luck!

https://www.2ndchance.info/orphankitten.htm

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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