30+ Of The Cutest Bottle Fed Kittens You’ve Ever Seen!

Affectionately known as “bottle babies,” kittens who are separated from their mothers before they’re old enough to eat solid food have to be bottle fed kitten milk, a milk replacement formula, until they’re approximately five weeks old. These kittens, who are usually taken in by rescues after they become orphans, have to be fed every two to five hours until they’re able to eat on their own. Thankfully, there are people who work and volunteer at rescues and animal shelters who are willing and able to adhere to this rigorous feeding schedule, providing these adorable kittens with the nutrition — and love — they need to survive and thrive.

Bottle babies become so accustomed to being handled, they’re known for being incredibly affectionate and people-oriented, making them wonderful pets and companions. In honor of the wonderful volunteers who spend sleepless nights saving lives, here are some of the most adorable bottle fed kittens you’ve ever seen!

? #sleeplessnight #bottlefedkitten #balianimalwelfareassociation

A post shared by Sandra (@s_merti) on Jun 10, 2017 at 9:11pm PDT

I love my ?-Ben . . . #livelovemeow #lovesofmylife #handraised #bottlefedkitten #feralkittenrescue #ragstoriches #cat #kitten #k9wt #toocute #babies #rescue #kittenworld #catlife #petsoflongisland #longislandpets #licat

A post shared by Ben, Gerri & Garcia (@thecatsmeow.love) on Aug 2, 2017 at 9:26pm PDT

Our favorite part of the day ?——————– #kittenoftheday #catoftheday #cat #siamesecat #siamesekitten #catsagram #catstagram #kittengram #catsofinstagram #kittensofinstagram #kittensofig #catsofig #bottlefedkitten #babykitten #catsofinsta

A post shared by Pippa Louise (@pippalou_lou) on Jun 4, 2017 at 10:11am PDT

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This little lady is Frittata! She’s 2 and a half weeks old and she’ll be staying with us for the next 6-8 weeks until her and her sisters are ready to be adopted out!

A post shared by Annie Lawler (@annierlawler) on Jun 13, 2017 at 9:09pm PDT

My last ever bottle… the vet says I’m big and strong enough to eat just my solid food (still soaked in water to make it soft of course).Mom was only a tad upset ?————– #babykitten #cats #cat #catsofig #catsofinsta #catsagram #catsofinstagram #cats_of_instagram #catoftheday #kitten #kittensofinstagram #kittensofig #kittenoftheday #kittengram #kittenlife #rescue #rescuekitten #barnkitten #blue eyed cat #blueeyes #siamesekitten #siamesecat #rescueanimals #kittenplay #siamesefeature #bottlefedkitten #bottlefed #pippalouise

A post shared by Pippa Louise (@pippalou_lou) on Jun 13, 2017 at 8:16pm PDT

Look who’s at work today! Sweet little boy kitty being bottle fed??? #foster #animalfostering #kittensofinstagram #kittenlove #bottlefedkitten

A post shared by Ruth (@animalgurl001) on Jun 15, 2017 at 7:42am PDT

#bottlebaby #bottlefedkitten #kitten

A post shared by cat and kitten foster (@cat_oholic) on Jun 15, 2017 at 7:27pm PDT

This is Boogie, an Egyptian Mau/Balady kitten. We can’t get enough of his little ears ??? “بوجي” بيلعب ودانه #baladyanimals #baladykitten #egyptianmau #adoptdontshop #maukitten #egyptiankitten #baladycat #mau #kitten #bottlefedkitten #egyptianbalady #balady #baladikitten #baladicat #vegan #peace #rescuedcat #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #kittensofig #kitty #bottlefeeding #baladi #kittenears #ears #cuteears #cutie

A post shared by Balady Animals (@baladyanimals) on Jun 21, 2017 at 5:14am PDT

When you can’t find a baby bib small enough for your messy eater, you crochet them one. #bib #fosterkitten #fostertoadopt #adoptdontshop #kitten #kittensofinstagram #kittencuteness #feedingtime #bottlefedkitten

A post shared by Anna Moneymaker (@annamoney42) on Jun 27, 2017 at 10:16pm PDT

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Baby, Being a baby. Last year #Memories … they grow too fast. #KittyRescue #Kitty #KittyLove #bottlefedkitten #BottleFed #Baby #Instakitty #InstaAnimal #Instacute #Family

A post shared by OurFurryFamBam (@ourfurryfambam) on Jun 26, 2017 at 8:04pm PDT

When mummy can’t feed her babies properly… me and my daughter will take over ?Cat Instagram #kittiesofworld #catsofinstagram #ilovemycats #blackandwhitecat #kitty #kittycat #catsofinstagram #kittiesofworld #cat#cats #catslife #kitten #kittens #kittenplay #kittensofinstagram #instacat #instakitty #instakitten #lovecats #lovekitties #feelingkittens #nursingkittens #bottlefedkitten #bottlefedkittens #tinykitten

A post shared by Crazyaboutmycats (@crazyaboutmycats) on Jun 30, 2017 at 9:26am PDT

Yeah, so this happened. Just bottle feeding this love on a raging Friday night. ? #lovewhatido #veterinarian #bottlefedkitten #imintrouble

A post shared by Sarah Taylor (@sarahpattay) on Jun 30, 2017 at 4:38pm PDT

Still on that Bottle Life… #Kitten #kittensofinstagram #cat #CatsofInstagram #bottlefedkitten #babycat #Gizmo #BeefJerky

A post shared by Gizmo Beef Jerky Jackson (X) (@gizmobeefjerkyjackson) on Jul 7, 2017 at 11:45pm PDT

#bottlefedkitten #kitten

A post shared by Amanda Moon (@queenamandap123) on Jul 15, 2017 at 1:28pm PDT

Love me some milk??? #QueenLolita #LittleLola #catsofinstagram #bottlefedkitten (side note: she hates being held when I bottle feed her so this is how it is)

A post shared by Lizzie? (@lizziemarie95) on Jul 18, 2017 at 8:48pm PDT

Pancake is such a baby. Even though he’s eating kitten food now, he still insists on getting his milk and cuddles. Our mama just loves it! #littlepancakecat #kittensofinstagram #catsofinstagram #orphanedkitten #bottlefedkitten

A post shared by Mickey, Lilly, Priss & Pancake (@keeksandlill) on Jul 30, 2017 at 9:08am PDT

Someone just dropped off two litters of kittens at the local vet. Fostering these babies back to good health❤ #kittens #kittensofinstagram #babykittens #rescuekittens #bottlefedkitten #fosterkitten #fostering

A post shared by Shyanna (@feralcatrescuecouple) on Jul 28, 2017 at 10:50am PDT

throwback to when I was bottle-fed ? #catsofinstagram #buzzfeedcats #cats #greycat #kitties #kitty #kittygram #catloversworld #catgram #tagsforlikes #followme #catconworldwide #rescuedkittens #catcon #catconla #catlover #猫 #catloversclub #instapet #petgram #catractive #blackcatsofinstagram #bestcataward #meowgicalbox #blackcat #modelcat #needmorecatfriends #kittenlady #bottlefedkitten #throwbackthrusday

A post shared by April Fluffy Q-Tip Scarface (@fasq_kat) on Aug 3, 2017 at 12:24am PDT

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Good morning, friends! Although our new guy is eating food on his own, he really seemed to enjoy his first go at the bottle too! Winston was found in a grocery store parking lot sitting on a water drain. Now he’s in good hands! #fosterkitten #adoptdontshop #bottlefedkitten #louisville #igerslouisville

A post shared by Derby City Kitties (@derbycitykitties) on Oct 19, 2015 at 4:48am PDT

‪Lunchtime in CHS’ maternity ward! When you come in as an orphaned stray, you’re pretty hungry…& so glad someone gave you a hand. #CThumane‬ #kitten #bottlefedkitten #lunchtime

A post shared by Connecticut Humane Society (@cthumanesociety) on Jul 25, 2017 at 9:13am PDT

So cute!!❤️

A post shared by Sabrina Joergensen (@sabrinaljprivate) on May 22, 2017 at 10:33am PDT

Here’s one of my favorite recent rescue kittehs I helped foster, only the size of my hooman’s thumb! He has now found a forever home! Yay ?#kittens #rescuecat #bottlefedkitten #blackcats #instacats

A post shared by ColtraneTheCat (@coltranethecat) on May 19, 2017 at 7:23am PDT

Her Drinking Time! Delicioso! ? #bottlefedkitten #comingto6months

A post shared by Juwita ? M.Yatim (@jovialjuwita) on May 18, 2017 at 6:11am PDT

Rescued baby kittens 7 days old now someone left them for dead #kittens #kittensofinstagram #bottlefedkitten #7daysold #catsofinstagram #catstagram #litterof5 #notkeepingthem #adoptionanyone

A post shared by Darril B (@bdarril) on May 2, 2017 at 9:57pm PDT

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Little orphan CHUNK took to bottle feeding very well ??❤️ his appetite is good ? www.darg.org.za #dargdays #houtbay #capetown #rescuekitten #bottlefed #kitten #ginger #rescued #animalshelter #animalwelfare #nonprofit #adoptfosterrescue #shelterkitten #welfare #hungry #bottlefedkitten #prolife #kittensofinstagram #rescuekitty

A post shared by DARG-DomesticAnimalRescueGroup (@dargdays) on May 11, 2017 at 2:31pm PDT

I’m now a mother to a 12 day old kitten! Here it was 10 days old (my sister is holding it). It’s a long story but we found it abandoned on Saturday and I took it in to care for it. I don’t know if I’ll keep it when it is finally weened, or if I’ll try to find it another home. It’s so sweet!

A post shared by Sara | Full Time Ebay Reseller (@sara_unscriptedlife) on May 2, 2017 at 8:17am PDT

The boys were so cute when they were bottle feeding. Now they are all grown up and eating regular kitten food! Oh how time flies. #catsofinstagram #kitten #timeflies #cats #kittensofinstagram #bottlefedkitten #bottlefeeding #tbt #tbt❤️ #adoptionrocks #foster #petconnect #cutestkittenever #adorable #kittens #love #milk #milkdrunk #fosterforlife

A post shared by @forster_kitten_madness on Apr 27, 2017 at 9:45am PDT

YOU GUYS. #nursingkitten #bottlefedkitten #orphanedkitten #babieeeees #piznermalandbelle

A post shared by Melanie & Zoë (@nolamamarazzi) on Apr 10, 2017 at 7:58am PDT

#throwbackthursday going through my phone and do found this little gem?? baby keeper holding his bottle all by himself?????? my little bitty boy has always been such a strong little fighter ??? #lifeofmrkeeper #bottlefedkitten #adoptyourpets #orfindthemabandonedandtakethemin

A post shared by Lauryn (@laurynek520) on Apr 27, 2017 at 4:25am PDT

#hungrykitty #hungrykitten #kitten #kittensitting #bottlefedkitten

A post shared by cat and kitten foster (@cat_oholic) on Apr 13, 2017 at 11:30am PDT

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Being a surrogate mummy while Mary forgot to come home #maryofmousehole #marycamehome #kittens #murielandmarco #bottlefedkitten

A post shared by Sian Miles (@mrsmilesmousehole) on Mar 25, 2017 at 12:54pm PDT