Feeding up tiny kitten

[CleverQuacks]

My younger sister has recently bought a kitten. She says she was told it is 8 weeks old but I saw it today and it’s tiny. I am pretty sure it’s either younger than 8 weeks or not well. I am annoyed with my sister for not finding a proper breeder and being so irresponsible but that’s another thread. Does anyone have any tips on how to look after this kitten? I have booked it a vet appointment for tomorrow morning (which I will have to pay for but I don’t mind if it means the little thing gets a proper check up). What’s the best food to feed it on to help it gain weight? Should we give it kitten milk aswell? Does it need anything additional to good quality food and time? any tips on raising a little kitten like this? Please don’t flame me, I am trying to make the best of a bad situation

Kitten food
Depending on age it may need kitten formula
See what the vet says

Does it know what to do with meaty food?

See what the vet says first. It's possible it's the runt or perhaps has an underlying condition. Food recommendations would also depend on what age it actually is and how developed it is.

The vet will advise you on the right foods to give it, but for kittens still weaning you can give kitten food mixed with water so it's a runny mush. But again, vet will advise best.

Good luck!

You just need to ask the vet for specific instructions. I’ve reared lots of kittens (we fostered) and you may be told to give specific powdered cat milk or puréed kitten food. There are also supplements like NurishUm which the vet may recommend.

The vet will tell you everything you need to know. Well done for taking charge of the situation. Hopefully, the little kitty will be ok. What has your sister been feeding it? As it's not with it's mother to get her milk, it'll need wet kitten food, little and often, at least 3 times a day. Not dry food, as it's teeth won't be strong enough yet. Do not give cows, goats, milk, etc. The vet might recommend a replacement milk formula. Keep it warm and out of drafts. Let us know how you get on at the vets.

We had a tiny kitten years ago. It was the runt of the litter and pretty sure the Mum cat did not feed it enough as she had 7 kittens and the other 6 bigger and stronger kittens took most of her milk. We bought kitten milk and mouse kitten food and mushed it up together and fed 4 or 5 times a day. The first week we used a syringe and squirted kitted milk in the mouth. The kitty grew and lived to 17.

We had a runt years ago, compared to his brothers he looked about 4 weeks younger.

We did good quality kitten food and cat milk, but had to be careful with the milk as too much too fast would make him sick.

That cat grew into a beast and lived to almost 15. We only had him PTS as some arsehole kicked him and smashed his jaw to pieces.