Newborn kittens should be fed very frequently to meet their nutritional needs and support healthy growth:
- From birth to 1 week old: Feed every 2 to 4 hours around the clock, including overnight. This means about 6 to 12 feedings per day
- 1 to 2.5 weeks old: Feed every 3 to 4 hours, roughly 6 to 8 times daily
- 2.5 to 4 weeks old: Feed every 4 to 6 hours, about 4 to 6 times per day
- 4 weeks and older: Feed 2 to 3 times a day as kittens begin weaning and start eating solid food
Kittens typically nurse until full and then reject the bottle when bottle-fed. It is important to feed them small amounts frequently to avoid overloading their tiny stomachs
. Use a commercial kitten milk replacer warmed to about 100°F (38°C), never cow’s or goat’s milk, as these can cause digestive upset
. In summary, newborn kittens require feeding every 2-4 hours initially, gradually reducing frequency as they grow older and start weaning around 4 weeks of age
