What kind of milk should i give my kitten?

Welcome to the exciting world of kitten parenthood, where everything is cute and fluffy but also chaotic and a bit confusing at times. One question that may be on your mind as you welcome your furry friend into your home is what kind of milk should you give them. After all, kittens are tiny little things and we want nothing but the best for them. Fear not! We’re here to help you navigate this tricky territory.

The first few weeks: mother’s milk

One thing to keep in mind is that during their first few weeks of life, kittens should only drink their mother’s milk. That’s right, mama knows best! Mother’s milk contains all the essential nutrients baby cats need to grow strong and healthy.

In fact, there are some important reasons why kittens should stick with their mother’s milk:

• It provides natural antibodies which can protect against infections while their immune system develops
• It promotes bonding between momma cat and her babies
• It’s easily digestible by newborn kitties

So if possible, let nature take its course and keep those little ones nursing from mama for the first several weeks.

But what if mama isn’t available?

Sometimes circumstances mean it’s difficult or impossible for a kitten to nurse off its own momma. Never fear – there are options!

There are many types of kitten formula available online or at pet stores specifically formulated for young cats when they’re unable to get natural breastmilk.

When choosing an artificial formula option consider –

Wet vs Dry – Which one suits your needs better?

Most kitty formulas come either wet (in cans) or dry (in bags). Both options have pros & cons which makes picking tough (just like every other decision ever!).

Wet

Pros
– Easily digestible
– Provides more hydration needed by immature stomachs
Cons
– Prone to spoilage and bacterial growth
– Expensive

Dry

Pros
– Longer shelf lifespan
– Cheaper compared to wet version
Cons
– Difficult for some tiny kittens to digest initially.

A quick overview of kitten formula ingredients

Protein
Kitten formulas usually contain at least 32% protein. It’s important that they’re able to use the energy from what they consume because cats are obligate carnivores which mean, like vampires, they only eat meat!

Fat
Growing kittens also require more fat than their adult counterparts, so a good milk replacement will include at least 25% of its calories from fatty acids. This provides them with an extra source of energy and helps build strong bones

Lactose content

One thing you may not be aware of is that while cow’s milk seems like a logical choice it doesn’t actually make for a safe option since cats are often lactose intolerant (just another food ailment humans seem fine with! Sigh)

Fun fact: Lactase (enzyme needed for breaking down lactose) gets expressed less in cats after weaning time making it difficult for our cute little felines friends to properly digest dairy products.

What about other types of animal milk?

Cow’s Milk specifically has been found problematic as mentioned earlier but there maybe be others worth considering.

Other options which should be taken into consideration only if necessary or recommended by vets may include – goat’s milk or sheep’s milk. Both have similar nutritional components as those found in cat mother’s milks & due low levels of allergens present these could still pose threats similar in cows’ milks.

Other things you need to keep in mind

Feeding your kitten properly goes beyond just choosing the right type of milk replacement; here are few practical tips:

How Much Is Too Much?

Keep an eye on your kitten’s growth and weight gain to determine how much milk they need. Overfeeding a cat is detrimental as too much could cause diarrhea, dehydration or vitamin D toxicity.

Timeliness

Determining how to feed your kitten also means considering the frequency of feeding; typically small portions at frequent intervals for kitties work best. It ensures that there are no digestive problems in these little cuties.

Temperature

It’s important to keep formula at room temperature before offering it to your kitty. Not too cold not too hot either since some cats may have what we call ‘fussy tastes’

Getting the right type of milk replacement for your young feline can be nerve-wracking but hopefully our guide has helped you understand all kittens’ momma’s milk should be preferred first option and then premium formulas When mothers’ aren’t an option Thus ultimately helping both mommy & baby during this challenging time!