Kitten Milk Replacer Recipe for Orphaned Kittens

Last Updated on June 2, 2023 by ellen

If you’ve ever wondered about a kitten milk replacer recipe, keep reading. Taking care of orphaned kittens means feeding them if the mother cat won’t.

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Kitten Milk Replacer Recipe

Mother cats do abandon their kittens. Maybe she died. Or, maybe she was a new mother who did not get that maternal instinct. Either way, you have to take care of the kittens until they are old enough for kitten food.

You can use this kitten milk replacer recipe if you find a kitten whose mother has rejected it. Ideally, you will use a real kitten milk replacer from the vet’s office. But, if it’s after hours and you need something to use until you can get to the vet, this kitten milk replacement recipe will work for you.

You can use this homemade kitten formula with evaporated milk but only until you can visit the vet. You can also look for cat milk and most pet stores. Don’t forget a feeding bottle.

Can you give a kitten milk?

If you’re wondering how to dilute cow milk for kittens, please don’t. Ideally, no you should not give a kitten cow’s milk because it can cause diarrhea. Cow’s milk is intended for baby cows. It does not have the nutrition that a kitten needs to be healthy.

If you need an alternative milk for kittens, you should use one specifically made for cats. You should not feed kittens milk or sweetened condensed milk unless it’s an absolute emergency.

What kind of milk can you give a kitten?

Kittens should have milk from a mother cat if the cat is present. If not, a kitten replacer with vitamins is the next best substitute. If you need something for an emergency, goat’s milk is an option. You can goats milk for kittens in this recipe:

One quart goats milk
1 tsp light corn syrup
1 tablespoon non-fat goats milk yogurt
An egg yolk
A package of unflavored gelatin (multiply by the number of weeks the kitten is – so 1 pkg for 1 week, 2 pkgs for 2 weeks, etc.)

Simply warm the goat’s milk in a saucepan and add the gelatin. Stir until it is dissolved. Remove it from the heat and add the other ingredients. Refrigerate and use within a week.

What to feed newborn kittens

If you plan on using this milk replacement for kittens for more than a few days until you can get to the vet, it’s very important that you add pediatric kitten vitamins to it. You can add them to the kitten formula before you feed each time. Or you can dispense directly into your kitten’s mouth.

Evaporated milk for kittens

Can cats drink evaporated milk? So, using evaporated milk for kittens really isn’t recommended. If it’s the middle of the night and you have nothing else and cannot get anything until morning, it will work in a pinch. But, it is not something you should use long-term.

So, is evaporated milk ok for cats? Only until you can get to the vet.

Can kittens have calf milk replacer?

This will work until you can get to the vet to get a real kitten milk replacer. Mix 1/2 cup of milk replacer powder with 2 cups of water.

How to make kitten milk at home

You cannot feed it as is. You can mix 1 can of evaporated milk, 1 egg yolk, 2 tablespoons of light corn syrup, and preferably pediatric kitten vitamins. Mix everything together in a large bottle (shake to mix). When it is time to feed, mix half this mixture and half boiling water. Allow it to cool to room temperature. You can test it on your wrist like you do baby formula.

Can puppies drink evaporated milk? They should not any more than cats or kittens should. It’s not nutritionally complete.

What you need to feed this kitten milk replacer recipe

Baby bottles are too large for kittens to use. You will need to have pet nurser bottles that are sized smaller for kittens and puppies. You can probably find them at your local pet store. But, if you plan on fostering an orphaned kitten, you can also get them here.

Pet nurser bottles
A syringe with mini nipple (for very tiny kittens)
Keep this emergency feeding kit on hand just in case.

Can cats have condensed milk?

No, condensed milk often contains sugar. It has too many carbohydrates and is not good for cats or kittens.

Feeding tips

If you’re looking for a DIY kitten bottle, you can try feeding a very young kitten with a syringe. It should at least work until you can get a kitten bottle or special nipple from your vet’s office.

If you have a pregnant cat, it cannot hurt to keep a few emergency kitten feeding supplies on hand just in case. You can get the milk replacer in a powdered formula that will last quite a long time. So, if you don’t need to use it, you can always donate new, unopened cans to your local vet’s office or the Humane Society.