As soon as kittens, like any other children, are born, they need to feed on their mother's milk. On the first day after birth, the kitten eats colostrum.
But the cat does not always produce milk afterwards. In this case, feeding the kittens falls on the shoulders of the owners.
Making cat milk replacer at home is quite simple - you can rely on yourself, you can buy special food.
Composition of cat milk
Cat's milk contains all the components found in human and cow's milk, but the nutritional properties differ.
Cat milk consists of 70% water, and its fat content is no more than 11%. Human, goat and cow milk has 7% more fat content than cat milk.
Cat milk contains 11% proteins (for comparison, human milk contains 2%, and goat and cow milk contains 4%).
But the milk of ungulates and humans contains a lot of lactose. The composition of non-cat milk is not suitable for kittens. They can be fed with milk other than their own, but they may get sick in the future.
How does a cat's milk change over time?
Another interesting observation that scientists made is that the content of fat, protein, lactose and trace elements changes over the course of lactation.
Milk production can be divided into three periods: colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk. Colostrum is not exactly milk, and its composition is very different from mature milk. It is produced approximately in the first two days after the birth of kittens, there is little of it, and the nutrients in it are exactly in the amount that newborn kittens need.
More fat and protein
During the first week, colostrum is gradually replaced by mature milk, and the milk produced during this period is called transition milk. Interestingly, the fat and protein content increases over time, while the lactose level remains approximately the same.
This (of course, not only this!) cat's milk differs from women's milk and is more reminiscent of dog milk. In human milk, the concentration of protein and fat decreases over time, but in cats and dogs, on the contrary, it increases.
Scientists associate the increase in protein concentration with the predatory nature of cats. Even pets require particularly large amounts of protein throughout their lives (not just during lactation), since modern cats have not adapted to low-protein foods and still prefer the high-protein diet of their carnivorous ancestors.
As for fat content, kittens grow and require more and more energy, and fat is the most caloric of all nutritional substances.
What to feed a kitten if the cat does not have her own milk
The mixture must contain vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
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Complete milk substitutes for kittens are produced by well-known manufacturers of food for adult cats: Jimborn, Trixie, Royal Canin cat milk replacer is in demand, Jimpet and Beafar are also popular among cat lovers.
Royal Canin, Jimpet and Biafar are considered the best. Even photos of packages of cat milk substitutes from these companies already evoke associations with feeding offspring.
And the composition of the mixtures is similar to cat milk - they contain the same breakdown of nutrients as in real cat milk.
Rating of milk substitutes
After analyzing the composition of the products, we formed a rating of the best products.
A complete replacement for mother's milk for orphaned kittens or those born in a large litter. Can be used within 35 days of birth. The mixture contains easily digestible protein, rich in minerals and vitamins necessary for the healthy and full development of the baby, namely phosphorus, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, vitamins A, D3 and the full line of B.
A dry formula identical to cat milk, designed for feeding pets from birth to the age of 2 months. The high-calorie concentrate is perfectly absorbed by the furry baby’s stomach and ensures daily weight gain. Contains Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, biotin, choline, taurine, manganese, zinc and iodine.
A dry product rich in vitamins, designed to meet the needs of newborn kittens. It can also be used as a source of useful elements for pregnant and elderly cats. In the composition you will find easily digestible protein, biotin, egg yolk, and ash.
Natural concentrate with colostrum for feeding orphaned pets. The gentle powder does not contain synthetic additives and is used as the main food for newborn kittens, supporting the healthy functioning of the digestive tract and the immunity of animals. Does not cause digestive problems.
Cat-Milk from Gimpet
The product from a German company is manufactured in accordance with the highest quality standards especially for orphaned kittens, weak, sick and pregnant cats. The composition of the mixture is as close as possible to natural cat milk. Proteins and fats in animal products. This means that they fit perfectly into the pet’s digestive tract.
Cat-Milk from Gimpet
A complex dry formula that is used as a replacement for mother's milk for kittens, or as additional nutrition for animals that need vitamin support. Does not cause gastrointestinal disorders and helps the body develop and grow. It contains brewer's yeast extract, taurine and antioxidants that support the immune system.
If a weak or orphaned pet suddenly appears in your life, follow the recommendations in our article to feed it with a cat milk replacer and raise a healthy animal. For this purpose, choose high-quality mixtures from trusted manufacturers.
Milk recipes for a kitten
If your cat doesn’t have milk or you have a small kitten at home, you can prepare food from condensed milk without sugar. Usually it is 20% fat.
Mix 5 parts milk with 1 part water and add 1 teaspoon of bone meal per 1 liter of mixture.
What types of substitutes are there?
In the absence of specialized food, you can use children's food - NAN.
If you urgently need powdered milk for kittens, but it was not possible to purchase special cat food, lactose-free infant milk formula “Nan” or “Nestozhen” is suitable for the age category of 0-1 month. The owner should take into account that liquid food for babies should be diluted more with water. The approximate ratio is 1 scoop per 45 ml of liquid. But it is better to purchase specialized mixtures for kittens, which are shown in the table:
| Name | Kitten age | Peculiarities |
| Royal Canin Babycat Milk | 0—2 months | Highly tolerated by the kitten's body |
| Does not contain starch | ||
| Increases the protective resources of the immune system | ||
| "Beafar Kitty Milk" | Made from whey that is easily absorbed | |
| Enriched with amino acids and taurine | ||
| Suitable as a main food or as complementary food | ||
| Does not contain fragrances or dyes | ||
| "Nutri-Vet" | Contains dried colostrum extract | |
| Canina Katzenmilk | Does not contain lactose, which causes diarrhea or vomiting | |
| Contains grape sugar | ||
| Can be used for cats during lactation, as well as complementary food for elderly and sick pets | ||
| "Hartz" | 0—35 days | Suitable for both kittens and nursing cats |
| Prepared milk does not lose its properties for 8 hours under correct storage conditions | ||
| "Dolphos" | 1-4 weeks | Contains milk protein and homogeneous fat, which are easily digestible |
| Minimum lactose content | ||
| Enriched with vitamins and taurine | ||
| Suitable for old and weakened pets | ||
| Gimpet Cat Milk with taurine | 0—2 months | Contains arachidonic acid and taurine |
| All components containing proteins and fats are of animal origin only | ||
| "Natures Protection" | Contains lactose (24%) and starch | |
| It is not recommended to combine it with taking vitamin D2 |
How to choose?
One of the most suitable products for babies is the Gimpet mixture.
Cat milk replacers should be selected based on the ingredients they contain. It is preferable that it contains polyunsaturated fatty acids DHA and EPA, which make up Omega-3 and Omega-6 and are necessary for the development of the brain, skin and retina. If the mixture is prepared at home, you can use 1 r. every 2-3 days add a drop of fish oil. The food products that are closest to cat milk and include all the necessary substances are Gimpet, Royal Canin and Beafar. In addition to the composition, when choosing a product, you should look at the production time, since expired food can harm the baby. The jar must be hermetically sealed, without dents or damage, the label must contain information in accessible language, without tears.
Instructions for use
Feeding management should be carried out strictly according to instructions. Too thin milk will not satisfy the baby, and thick milk can cause digestive problems. Depending on the age of the kitten, the daily intake and number of feedings are shown in the table:
| Kitten age (weeks) | Number of feedings | Dosage of 1 serving (ml) |
| 1—2 | 7–10 + night | 2—10 |
| 3—4 | 5 | 10—15 |
| 5—6 | 4 + complementary foods |
The nutrition powder must be added to already heated water.
For feeding, you should purchase a special set, which includes a bottle, several nipples of different sizes and a brush for cleaning. Preparation:
- Heat bottled water to 50 degrees and pour into a bottle.
- Take a full measuring spoon of dry milk powder and remove the mound with a knife.
- Pour the powder into the water and shake until no lumps remain.
- Put on the pacifier.
- Cool the food to a temperature of 35-36 degrees.
- Use the product within 60 minutes.
The pacifier should be carefully placed in the baby's mouth, holding the kitten in a horizontal position on its stomach. After he eats, you need to hold him upright for a while and wait for the burp, and then lightly massage his tummy. After 1.5-2 months, you can introduce complementary foods, which include high-quality food for kittens. First, it can be soaked in water, then in solid form so that the baby learns to chew.
Newborn kittens
How to make cat milk replacer? In half a liter of regular milk from a store carton, mix the yolk of a raw chicken egg and add 4 teaspoons of granulated sugar without top.
Goat milk and powdered milk are also suitable. It is fashionable to pour 0.3 ml of Tetravit vitamin drops into the mixture.
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Kittens can also prepare the “Malyutka” formula for children, the preparation instructions are the same as on the package for babies.
For very small and weak kittens, you can prepare food according to this recipe: for 100 ml of cow's milk, take 20 ml of an aqueous solution of glucose, you can feed it this way, but it is better to mix in an egg yolk and 1 teaspoon of refined sunflower oil.
Milk can be replaced with Nutrilon infant formula. You can add vitamin drops to the mixture.
All homemade kitten formulas must be thoroughly mixed - they must be liquid and free of lumps. Kittens are fed from a bottle with a nipple with a small hole; if you have patience, it is better to feed from a pipette.
Another option is to give the milk mixture in portions from a syringe (without a needle). The main thing is that the kitten has time to swallow a portion of food.
Homemade recipes
To feed a newborn kitten at home, you can use homemade recipes. When using the exact amount of ingredients, you will get nutrition that is quite acceptable for the diet of growing organisms for the first days of life. When a cat is present, but she is not able to feed the babies, then there is no need to take the kittens away from the mother, since she warms them with her warmth. What is the difference between cow product and cat product? Let's look at it further in the table.
Table comparing cow's and cat's milk
Recipe 1
Sugar-free condensed milk (in a 5:1 ratio with water) is mixed with bone meal (1 tsp per liter of milk) and given as a homogeneous mass from a syringe or pipette. This composition cannot be stored; it should be given warm (temperature 38-40 degrees). The mixture can be taken away when the kitten is satisfied and falls asleep in its home. This composition is also suitable for the first days of life.
Recipe 2
In cow's milk (0.5 l), stir the yolk of a chicken egg with four teaspoons of sugar, or dilute the dry milk product in a fennel solution and mix with a teaspoon of cream. You can also dilute goat milk in a one to one ratio. If there is no such ingredient in the house, then it is better to take the usual “Malyutka” baby formula, which is diluted with water in the required proportion.
In every home, most likely, such components will not be difficult to find. In the first days, you will have to give food more often during the day, but when the babies are a couple of weeks old, then night meals can gradually be “reduced to nothing.”
About the rules for storing food for kittens
Kittens can be fed only warm formula, the temperature should be about 39° C. Unfinished formula can be kept in the refrigerator for a day in a clean container.
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The dry mixture should be stored in a cool, dark place away from sources of moisture, and diluted only with boiled water at room temperature, and heated for feeding.
The kitten’s immune background is unstable; its gastrointestinal tract should not be exposed to bacterial attacks. And like a child or kitten, you can cook food only with clean hands.
About food supplies for a kitten
You should not buy mixtures “in reserve”. The kitten will grow up quickly, no need to buy a large bag of formula.
If you look in stores at how much cat milk replacer costs, it will become clear that it is better to purchase Royal Canin products; the food is packaged in sterile “one-time” bags, they can be purchased for future use, and have a long shelf life.
Owners of a small kitten should purchase a bottle and pacifier in advance, as well as suitable food that replaces the cat's milk.
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Features and composition
Cat milk is significantly different from the nutritional fluid of a goat or cow. Human milk is also not suitable for artificial feeding. The fat content of cat's milk is quite high (about 11%) and contains less lactose, which prevents indigestion in the offspring. However, it is rich in proteins, unlike cow and goat. The percentage ratio is 11:4. Colostrum is considered the most nutritious. It is fatty and provides the baby’s body with protective antibodies, especially if the owner vaccinated the cat no later than 1 year before pregnancy. After a day, the percentage of fat content decreases. And also with mother’s milk, babies receive vitamins, microelements, and minerals.
Photos of cat milk substitutes
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