Unfortunately, some kittens cannot be breastfed by their mothers. Thus, if the latter is deceased, if it does not produce enough milk or if the kitten is found abandoned, a solution must quickly be found to feed it. The ideal is to entrust it to a wet nurse or a surrogate mother, already in lactation. If this is not possible, it will be necessary to feed it by hand. In these cases, which milk to use?

The composition of the milk of cats varies according to their diet, the size of the litter and the udder from which the milk is obtained. It also depends on the stage of lactation: it evolves during the breastfeeding period. However, according to studies, most milks consist of approximately:

Composition of cat milk (as a percentage of total matter, humidity around 75%).

One of the first things to know is that you should definitely not give cow’s milk to a kitten. On the one hand, the composition of the milk is very different from that necessary for the growth of the kitten, with a much lower protein and fat content. On the other hand, cow’s milk causes digestive disorders, especially diarrhea, which can be very severe and even lead to the death of the animal. In general, substituting breast milk for milk from another species (cow, goat, etc.) is not a viable option. Indeed, in addition to the consequent differences in composition, the digestive tracts of these species are very different and are therefore not able to digest and assimilate nutrients in the same way.

Specific powdered milk for puppies and kittens are available in pharmacies, pet stores, on the internet or at your veterinarian. They represent the only viable option for long-term feeding of a kitten. In order to best choose a formula, you can compare the composition of the milk to the previous table. Be careful, however, not to compare the composition given in relation to the dry matter (powder) with this table corresponding to reconstituted milk. Regarding the milks marketed in pharmacies or veterinarians, they are generally rather equivalent. In any case, it remains an artificial diet which is generally lower in protein and fat than natural milk. The growth of kittens before weaning will therefore generally be less important than what could have been expected with natural breastfeeding.

To administer milk, a bottle should be used if possible. The amount can be calculated based on age, following the milk manufacturer’s instructions. Other, more reliable methods of calculation depend on the age and weight of the kitten. Do not hesitate to consult your veterinarian to adapt the diet plan. Meals should be very frequent the first days, every 2 or 3 hours, to avoid bloating and the risk of regurgitation. The milk should be lukewarm, being careful of burns. The amount administered should not exceed 4 mL per 100g of body weight, which is the estimated capacity of the stomach. If the kitten shows signs of discomfort or is regurgitating, the meal should be discontinued.

If you have to feed a kitten and you cannot get formula milk quickly, it is possible to make a “homemade” formulation. To do this, you have to mix:

• 250 mL of cow’s milk;
• 3 egg yolks;
• 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil;
• 1 small pinch of salt;
• 1 drop of vitamin solution for dogs or cats, if possible.

This mixture must be mixed and brought to 35-38 ° C. It can be stored for a few hours in the refrigerator. It is in no way a long-term option but can provide an emergency solution, to avoid hypoglycemia and the death of a kitten in distress.

In conclusion, if natural breastfeeding by the mother or an adoptive mother is not an option, the best option is to use powdered milk specific for puppies and kittens. Weaning should be done gradually, around 4 to 6 weeks of age. Once weaned, cats do not require any milk intake.

In adulthood, their digestive system is not designed to digest milk. Also, it is strongly advised not to give cow’s milk (other than the recipe mentioned) to a kitten or an adult cat. This can lead to digestive disorders of varying severity (disturbance of the intestinal flora, bloating, diarrhea, etc.) which can go as far as causing the death of young kittens.

Digestive disorders can be observed with all assisted feeding methods (powdered milk, emergency recipe, etc.). In the event of regurgitation, diarrhea, constipation or depression, a veterinarian should be consulted urgently. Another important criterion to watch out for is constant weight gain: kittens should be weighed daily. In case of weight loss or stagnation, a consultation with the veterinarian is strongly recommended.