11 Best Kitten Milk Replacers & Formulas

Reviews

PetAg Powder Milk Supplement for Kittens – Overall Winner
 

• Weight: 12 oz.
• Form: Powder

Veterinarians frequently recommend PetAg KMR Powder Milk Supplement for Kittens. It is well-known to work and is commonly available. It’s also not too pricey. We believe it is the greatest kitten milk replacer and formula on the market.

This supplement provides a full meal for kittens who are unable to suckle for various reasons. Because it contains necessary protein and amino acids, it can also be given to stressed cats that are unable to eat or want extra nutrients.

Some customers reported using it to help their elderly cat’s health when they were unable to properly digest food. This formula is simple to re-create as a powder. It can be a little lumpy, therefore a blender is suggested.

It is designed to closely mirror the protein and calorie ratios that your kitty would naturally absorb if nursing.

Pros

• Kittens’ whole diet
• Trace nutrients, vitamins, and minerals are abundant.
• Simple to prepare
• Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Cons

• Without a blender, it is difficult to properly incorporate.

 

Hartz Kitten Powdered Milk Replacer – Best Value
 

• 11 ounces in weight
• Form: Powder

Even when size is taken into account, the Hartz Powdered Milk Replacer Formula for Kittens is slightly less expensive than most other options. As a result, we believe it is the greatest kitten milk replacer and formula for the money.

This formula meets all of your kitten’s breastfeeding demands. It’s a mix that helps your kitten’s natural growth and mimics what they’d acquire from its mother. It is easy to digest and pleasant on the stomach of your kitten.

The powder simply mixes with room temperature water, allowing you to bottle-feed on demand. Unlike some other formulations, you do not need to produce large batches ahead of time. However, unless you use a blender, some lumps are unavoidable.

This formula can also be given as a supplement to pregnant or nursing moms. It could also be an excellent solution for senior cats.

Pros

• It contains all of the nutrients that your kitty requires.
• Inexpensive
• Mixes reasonably well.
• Can be used as a supplement for senior cats.

Cons

• Contains chunks despite not using a blender

 

Cat Nutri-Vet Powder Milk Supplement
 

• Weight: 12 oz.
• Form: Powder

The Nutri-Vet Powder Milk Supplement for Cats contains all of the essential amino acids required for your kitten’s growth. It is as near to a queen’s milk as feasible in order to prevent nutritional inadequacies.

This solution also contains probiotics, which can aid digestion. Probiotics are also beneficial to the immune system and the development of the brain. Because the stomach influences the entire body, it is critical to take care of it.

Because this formula is created in the United States, it must meet certain quality criteria.

However, because this formula has a short shelf life, purchasing it in bulk makes no sense. However, because bottles sell out so rapidly, it is impossible to keep it on hand at all times.

Pros

• Avoids nutritional deficits.
• Probiotics are present.
• Made in America
• Like mother’s milk

Cons

• Contains whey protein
• Limited shelf life

 

Weaning Kitten Food Supplement PetAg KMR 2nd Step
 

• 14 ounces in size
• Form: Powder

PetAg KMR 2nd Step Weaning Kitten Food Supplement may be suitable for older kittens. This formula differs from most other options on the market in that it is designed exclusively for older kittens who are weaning.

It is a creamy, transitional milk that is unsuitable for younger kittens due to a lack of vitamins and minerals. It is still highly digested, therefore it may be suitable for kittens with sensitive stomachs.

It does not need to be refrigerated because it is a powder, and it is simple to use.

However, recipes made for younger kittens can also be used for older kittens (and even as a supplement for older adult cats). As a result, purchasing this food is usually unnecessary.

Furthermore, because this powder is lumpy when blended, you’ll need to use a blender.

Pros

• Made for older kitties
• Can be reconstituted with varied water ratios
• No refrigeration is required.
• For a long time, shelf-stable

Cons

• It is not required.
• Mixing is difficult.

 

Kitten Supplement Thomas Labs Goatalac Milk Powder
 

• Weight: 12 oz.
• Form: Powder

The Thomas Labs Goatalac Goat Milk Replacer Powder Puppy & Kitten Supplement is designed to substitute cat milk, much like other formulas. However, unlike many other formulas, it uses goat’s milk protein rather than whey.

This formula is nutritive and contains everything your kitty requires to grow and flourish. It even contains digestive enzymes and immunoglobins to help your kitten’s immune system get started, much like their mother’s milk.

Because it contains goat’s milk, it may be simpler to digest than other formulas.

However, this powder is pricey, owing to the use of goat’s milk. While this is beneficial if your kitten has digestive troubles, many kittens do not require goat’s milk formula.

Pros

• Digestive enzymes are included.
• Immunoglobins are included.
• Protein from goat’s milk
• Completely nutritious

Cons

• Expensive
• It is not species specific.

 

PetLac Kitten Milk Replacement Powder by PetAg
 

• 10.5 ounces in size
• Form: Powder

The PetAg PetLac Kitten Milk Replacement Powder contains active probiotics, which are beneficial to new kitties’ intestinal health. Kittens, on the other hand, do not get probiotics through their mothers’ milk, thus they aren’t strictly necessary.

This product is intended to mimic the protein ratios found naturally in queen’s milk. To put it another way, the formula is nutritionally full and resembles queen’s milk.

However, it is tough to combine. Unless you use a blender, it appears lumpy. It’s also pricey, even though you’re not paying for any specific feature.

Pros

• Probiotics were included.
• Resembles cat’s milk
• Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Cons

• Mixing is difficult.
• Expensive

 

Kitten Milk Replacement Liquid PetAg PetLac
 

• Weight: 32 oz.
• Form: Liquid

Because powders are the most popular options on the market, they make up the majority of replacement kitten milk formulas.

One of the few liquid possibilities is PetAg PetLac Kitten Milk Replacement Liquid. This company is one of the leading producers of milk substitutes, hence it is frequently suggested.

This ready-to-drink composition eliminates the need for mixing, which is a huge plus. It can be used without further preparation. If you’re feeding numerous kittens, the resealable carton is ideal.

The formula is high in calories and intended to totally replace the milk of a mother cat.

However, because it is pre-mixed, it is significantly more expensive than most other solutions. You’ll also need to buy extra to feed your kittens because it’s not as concentrated as powder.

Pros

• Ready-to-fed
• Container with resealable lid
• A lot of calories

Cons

• Expensive
• Not as concentrated as powder

How to Choose the Best Kitten Milk Replacer and Formula

Kitten feeding is a difficult task. The amount of formula required by a kitten varies, but getting it properly is critical to their optimum growth.

When utilizing substitute formulae, you must also consider concerns such as digestive difficulties and allergies, as these can arise when feeding kittens anything other than cat milk.

As a result, we created a comprehensive buyer’s guide to assist you in determining which formula to get and how to use it.

How Do Kittens Usually Eat?

To understand how and why to feed kitten formula, you must first understand how kittens are typically fed.

Kittens are mammals that rely on their mothers’ milk for sustenance and passive immunity while developing their own immune systems.

The milk of a mother cat, or queen, is influenced by a variety of elements, the most important of which are her diet and overall health. A queen may be unable to provide enough milk for her offspring if she is not properly fed or has an underlying sickness.

A kitten will typically stay with their mother for several weeks before weaning, and she will do it at the appropriate time. However, for various reasons, the mother may be unable to rear the kitten. As a result, adults may need to intervene and assist the kitten.

With a little care, orphaned kittens can be nurtured into healthy adults, including being fed a substitute for their mother’s milk.

And then there’s Formula

Kitten formula was created as an alternative to natural cat milk. If a kitten is orphaned, the correct milk replacement can provide them with all of their nourishment.

Liquids are vital for keeping newborn kittens hydrated and alive. The normal kitten consumes a lot of water, roughly 155-230 milliliters per kg of body weight per 24 hours.

When you give a kitten formula, you are replacing the water content that they would normally get from their mother’s milk. As a result, kittens will require around 180 ml of formula per kilogram of bodyweight every day. While you should provide at least this amount for your kitten, you should also partially feed them on demand.

Cat milk is easily digested and high in calories. It also contains a lot of protein, which is important because cats are built to eat a lot of protein.

Cow’s milk is not a suitable substitute due to its low protein content. As a result, a kitten milk substitute is required. Commercial solutions outperform cow’s milk and most homemade alternatives.

However, manufactured milk substitutes should provide some nutrients.

This is the box title.

• Moisture content: 79 g
• 21 g dry weight
• 7.5 g protein crude
• 8.5 g fat
• Lactose 4 g

Formula for Feeding

Selecting the proper formula is only half the battle. You must also feed it to your kittens, which can be difficult.

To begin, you’ll need to locate a small pet breastfeeding bottle. It is always a good idea to have this kit on hand if you know your queen is expecting, especially if she is inexperienced.

Kittens will usually suck on the bottle until they are full. You should keep track of how much they consume to ensure that they get enough.

Make certain that the bottle you chose confines the flow of the bottle to one drop at a time. A faster rate of flow can overwhelm the cat, causing the milk to enter their lungs rather than their stomach. This can result in a variety of medical problems.

Next, when feeding the kitten, make sure to hold it horizontally. The position of their head should be neutral. You don’t want them to choke by turning their heads to the side. Holding the kitten while feeding ensures that they are eating properly (and it helps with socialization as time goes on).

Before feeding the kitten, warm the formula to to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold formula can cause intestinal issues in young kittens, which can be fatal.

Formula Feeding Routine

You should keep all orphaned kittens on a rigorous schedule to ensure they get enough food. Orphaned kittens do not always have the strength to wake up and eat on their own, thus it is your responsibility to keep them on a regular schedule.

Kittens up to 3 weeks old should be fed every 2-4 hours. One-week-old kittens should be fed every two hours, two-week-old kittens every three hours, and three-week-old kittens every four hours. As a result, you will most likely require the assistance of more than one person to guarantee that they obtain sufficient nutrition.

Check the directions on your milk replacer to see how much you should give your kitten each day. Then, divide the entire quantity by the number of times your kitty consumes food.

Weigh and determine the amount of milk replacement recommended for each kitten. Overfeeding the kittens can cause diarrhea, which can be fatal in little kittens. While slightly underfeeding is manageable, it is not ideal because kittens require the proper amount of nutrients for optimum development.

You should only feed your kitten milk replacer until they are about 3-4 weeks old. Then you can gradually wean them.

Orphaned Kitten Tracking

Orphaned kittens should always be monitored for growth and development. Keep a record of your kitten’s weight, milestones, and feeding routine. If something happens, it might provide you with vital information that can assist you in determining what to do.

You should also keep track of their physical growth. Take note of when they first open their eyes and when their teeth begin to poke through their gums, for example. Stool consistency is also crucial because diarrhea can result in severe dehydration.

If you have many kittens, make sure you do something to keep them apart. You can, for example, use colorful collars or paint specific nails with pet-safe colored varnish.

Each kitten should be weighed and recorded upon birth. Then, every day or two, weigh them until they are 4 weeks old. After that, you can transition to weekly weigh-ins until they are weaned and doing well.

Kittens at a young age can swiftly deteriorate if they have a condition, thus it is critical to keep track of their weight every day. Otherwise, you risk missing potential problems.

Conclusion

A milk replacer is required if a kitten is orphaned before they are weaned. Fortunately, most milk substitutes are designed to totally meet a kitten’s needs, so you don’t have to worry about selecting a nutritionally adequate option.

However, this does not imply that they are all the same. Some contain optional ingredients such as probiotics and antibodies. Others contain varying amounts and sources of protein, which can alter digestion.

Even though a kitten can usually thrive on any formula, you should still take your time in selecting a high-quality alternative.

BestForPets (bestforpets.org) recommends the PetAg KMR Powder Milk Supplement for Kittens for the majority of kittens. This formula is nutritionally complete, containing all of your cat’s essential vitamins and minerals.

It is very simple to prepare and can be refrigerated for 24 hours, making it the best kitten milk replacers & formulas overall.

Consider the Hartz Powdered Milk Replacer Formula for Kittens if you need a low-cost formula that nevertheless does the job. It contains everything your feline requires to grow, and it is very simple to mix.

We hope our reviews of the best kitten milk replacers & formulas helped you decide which formulations to get for your kittens.

If they do not respond well to the first one you choose, simply try another. Kittens might be hypersensitive to particular ingredients.