What to do if a kitten cannot nurse after birth

If a kitten cannot nurse immediately after birth, the owner needs to first determine whether the mother cat has breast milk. If the mother cat has breast milk, you can assist the kitten in nursing by placing its mouth at the nipple and allowing it to suckle naturally. If the kitten still cannot nurse on its own or if the mother cat does not have breast milk, you will need to feed the kitten with a pet-specific goat milk formula.

1. Artificial assistance

If the kitten cannot nurse because it cannot find the mother cat's nipple, manual intervention is necessary to help it locate the nipple. First, the owner can place the kitten next to the mother cat, then let it suckle on the nipple while gently squeezing the breast to stimulate milk production. Once the kitten tastes the milk, it should start nursing on its own over time.

1. Artificial feeding

If the kitten still cannot nurse after intervention, the owner must use a pet bottle or syringe to feed the kitten a specific goat milk formula for pets. Feed the kitten every 2 hours to prevent hypoglycemia and shock. Be careful when using a syringe to feed the kitten slowly to avoid choking.

Note: If a kitten goes without nursing for more than 2 hours, it is prone to hypoglycemia, which can lead to shock and death. Therefore, it is essential for the owner to pay attention and take timely measures once they notice the kitten cannot nurse.