Caring for orphaned kittens or supplementing a mother cat’s milk supply is a challenge. However, as a cat parent, you can do your part to make sure that making kitten milk replacer overcomes this. It can be a lifesaver, even for kittens who may not be getting the appropriate nutrients they need to grow and survive. This guide will cover what you need to do in the event of emergencies or want to understand the basics of feline nutrition.
At Under the Weather, we take pride in helping pet parents like you. Whether it’s your first time with cats or if you have included some in your family in the past, we are dedicated to making sure that you can learn how to make kitten replacement milk if a situation were to arise. You could become the one pet parent who knows what to do, how to do it, and when it’s necessary.
Why Do Kittens Need Special Milk?
Kittens have specific nutritional requirements that need to be addressed constantly. While cow’s milk seems to have the best intentions, it falls short in terms of providing kittens with the necessary nutrients. Even more surprising is that it can cause more harm than good. Specifically, kittens may experience side effects such as diarrhea, digestive upset, and dehydration. For this reason, knowing how to make kitten replacement milk will be essential when caring for orphaned kittens or supplementing them with nutrients for healthy growth and development.
A mother cat’s milk or colostrum contains proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates that are essential for a kitten during the first several weeks of their life. They also contain antibodies that will ensure disease protection. One of the downsides to kitten milk replacers is that they won’t replicate those antibodies. Despite this, kittens can still get appropriate nutrition when it’s correctly prepared and delivered.
When to Use Homemade Kitten Replacer
There are situations where you need to know how to make kitten replacement milk. As such, you’ll want to know when to feed kittens. Here’s when it will be necessary to do so:
- Emergencies where you may not find a commercial replacer (or if it’s not immediately available)
- Orphaned kittens who have lost their mother
- Weaker kittens or rejected kittens that require supplemental feeding
- Large litters where the milk production from the mother falls short for all the kittens
- Mama cats with health issues that may hinder normal nursing
Keep in mind that homemade kitten milk replacers are temporary solutions. Commercial kitten milk replacers do have a specific formulation to meet the nutritional needs of a kitten. Still, they are the best options to have on hand. However, use the homemade solution until then.
What Are the Essential Ingredients for Homemade Kitten Milk?
As you learn how to make kitten replacement milk, you’ll want to know which ingredients are safe and beneficial. You’ll want to create a mixture that can mimic the fat, protein, and nutrients that are similar to what is found in a mother’s milk. With this in mind, here are the following ingredients:
Primary Base Ingredients
- Whole Milk: This can be a good base when properly modified. Whole milk has the best amount of fat content possible for kittens.
- Heavy Cream: This also contains essential fats that can help with proper brain development and energy.
- Egg Yolk: Separate the egg whites from the yolks, as they can be difficult for kittens to digest. The yolk contains high-quality proteins and fatty acids.
- Plain Yogurt: These contain the beneficial probiotics that support digestion. It is highly recommended that you choose yogurt that is unsweetened and unflavored.
Important Supplements
- Karo Syrup or Honey: Either of these allows for easily digestible carbohydrates for energy. Make sure it is used sparingly. Do not give honey to kittens if they are under 12 weeks old.
- Vitamin Supplements: These include liquid baby vitamins to give them the nutritional support they need. However, these vitamins should not contain iron.
Basic Homemade Kitten Milk Replacer Recipes
Below are two different homemade recipes for kitten milk replacers. One of them will be fit for emergency purposes, while the other is a protein-rich alternative. Here’s a look at the following for each:
Recipe 1: Emergency Kitten Replacement
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
- 1 teaspoon Karo syrup
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Warm the milk to room temperature
- Thoroughly whisk the egg yolk
- Mix the milk and heavy cream well
- Stir in the Karo syrup, yogurt, and salt
- Mix all contents until it’s completely smooth
- Using a fine mesh, strain through and make sure the lumps are left behind
Recipe 2: Protein-Rich Alternatives
Ingredients:
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- ½ cup water
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- ¼ teaspoon Karo syrup
Instructions:
- With equal parts water, mix it with the evaporated milk
- Beat in the egg yolk until it’s well-mixed
- Add the oil and Karo syrup together and mix thoroughly
- Make sure the mixture is smooth. Continue mixing until you see no more lumps
Proper Preparation and Storage
Safety should always be a priority when it comes to preparing homemade kitten milk replacer. If prepared or stored improperly, bacterial growth can occur, and it may harm vulnerable kittens in the process. As such, it is important to follow these guidelines and storage requirements below:
Preparation Guidelines
Use clean, sterile equipment when mixing the ingredients. Before handling any components, wash your hands thoroughly. Check the expiration dates and make sure the ingredients are fresh. To ensure proper blending, make sure the ingredients are mixed at room temperature.
Storage Requirements
After the homemade kitten milk replacer is made, use it immediately when possible. If storage is needed, you’ll want to refrigerate the mixture. Make sure it is used within 24 hours. Never leave a prepared replacer at room temperature for more than an hour. Before feeding, you’ll want to warm the refrigerated replacer mixture to body temperature. For best results, place it in a container of warm or hot water. Avoid using boiling water if you can help it, especially when it could get the milk too hot.
Feeding Guidelines and Techniques
After making a kitten milk replacer, now it’s time to properly feed the kitten. It’s important to make sure they are fed properly, as it can be beneficial to their health and safety. Here are some details to follow during the process:
Feeding Frequency
Newborn kittens (0 to 2nd week) will need to be fed every 2 to 3 hours with a drop liquid of kitten milk replacement formula. This also includes overnight hours. This will be the normal frequency for one to two weeks. The frequency can be reduced starting from every 3 to 4 hours from the 3rd week and then 5 to 6 hours as they grow. As kittens grow bigger and begin to wean, feeding them two to three times per day using homemade kitten formula may be sufficient.
Feeding Amount
Consider feeding newborn kittens at least 2 to 6 ml per feeding. Increase this gradually as they grow. Be mindful of any cues, such as knowing when kittens are satisfied. They should have slightly round bellies and appear content.
Feeding Methods
There are different methods of feeding kittens. This can include using a kitten nursing bottle, a special baby bottle, a syringe, or an eyedropper. To prevent aspiration, do not force-feed or feed too quickly. Make sure they are on their bellies with their heads slightly elevated during the feeding process.
Important Safety Considerations to Follow
When feeding kittens homemade kitten milk replacer in emergencies, you’ll want to consider several key safety situations. This includes the following:
- Temperature Is Important: Always test the temperature of the kitten milk replacer before feeding them. Make sure it’s warm, not hot to the touch. If it’s cold, this can cause digestive upset. Too hot can cause burns. Continuously test if necessary until it reaches the appropriate warmth.
- Watch for Allergic Reactions: Common symptoms of allergic reactions include digestive upset (diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive gas). If they occur, discontinue the formula and get veterinary care as soon as possible.
- Make Sure All Feeding Equipment Is Clean: Sterilize all feeding equipment between uses. Strict cleanliness is important when it comes to the kitten’s feeding process. Before feeding a kitten, make sure you thoroughly wash your hands.
When Should a Kitten Transition to Solid Food?
Kittens at around the 4th or 5th week should start transitioning from milk to solid foods. It should not be dry food straight out of the bag, as it can be very hard in texture. You can consider mixing small amounts of kitten food (make sure it’s high-quality) with a milk replacer. It should be a gruel-like consistency from the start. Over time, consider reducing the liquid and increasing the solid food over 1 to 2 weeks. Kitten milk replacement can be a good mix for solid foods, especially when you're dealing with the transition process.
Give Your Kitten or Cats the Best from Under the Weather
As a cat parent, giving kittens or adult cats the best nutrition is important. That’s why Under the Weather offers plenty of options for your cat, such as bland diets and supplements. If you are hand-feeding them at the beginning of their life, you can be good to them well into their adult years. It starts with providing them with the best from our brand. To see what Under the Weather has in stock for your cat, check us out today.
