I found 3 kittens and they are 3-2 weeks old. Can I feed them whole milk?

Answer 1

ABSOLUTLY NOT. Dairy products that early will mess up the digestive system. Go to Walmart or your local pet supply and purchase a bottle and "Mothers Helper" formula. Walmart carries the formula and the bottles in the pet section. The formula comes in liquid and powder. Read the directons on both to see how long they last once opend or mixed. You will also need to warm the liquid slightly before each feeding. (it's like having a baby). The microwave at 20 seconds will probably be good. Just make sure it's not to hot. Keep THEM warm at all times as well. I bought a baby playpen at a resale shop and put a blanket in the bottom with a heating pad between the folds. It kept mine where I could find her and she was able to get strong and play without getting lost in the house. The heating pad won't need to be hotter then low and they will sleep better. Once they can climb out of the "pen", you won't need to use it anymore. It was the BEST investment (next to getting her) that I could have made. Good luck.

Answer 2

The homemade formula I've raised many kittens, puppies and a few other orphaned creatures on, is to mix 8 oz of vanilla yogurt, which gives nutrients AND also gives the animal beneficial digestive enzymes and beneficial bacteria, 4 oz of evaporated milk, 4 oz of water, and a tablespoon of Karo syrup. I would refrigerate the mix and just take out approximately what amount I needed at a feeding, microwave it just a few seconds, stir it and test it to make sure it wasn't too hot (by dropping a couple of drops on the inside of the elbow, like people test formula temperature before feeding a baby.) the right temperature for feeding should feel lukewarm to warm, never cold or hot.

Whole cows milk usually gives kittens diarrhea, its too different from a mother cat's own milk for a kitten to digest well. Whole GOATS milk will work well for kittens although goats milk spoils quickly.

Answer 3

No- Whole milk will give them very loose stools. You need kitten milk replacer. Available at pet stores, vet hospitals, and even Wal Mart. The kittens should be fed every 2 hours for the next 1-2 weeks, then every 3 hours thereafter. Keep them warm and make sure they "go potty". You can stimulate them to go by rubbing their bottom areas gently with a damp paper towel or a baby wipe. Good luck!

Answer 4

NO!!!! There is an enzyme in cow's milk that is not good for cats. Go to your local pet supply store and they have kitten formula especially made for them. Its cost a bit more but the content of protein is right and the fat content also. Cat are intolerant of cow's milk do to the pasteurization process. If you could get fresh cow milk straight from the cow it would be better for the kitten but not everyone has access to a cow!

Answer 5

No. Cow's milk has a different composition to it than cat’s milk (different percent of fats, proteins, minerals and the like). Go get some Kitten Replacement Milk (most pet stores carry it, as do vet clinics). Also when feeding them, do not feed them on their back (it can lead to it going into their lungs) feed them like they would feed naturally.

Answer 6

Kittens seem to tolerate cow milk better than adult cats. Still could give them diarrhea.
Whole milk by itself is not going to be adequate for their needs until they are old enough to start on regular cat food. Get some KMR (kitten milk replacement) for them.
There is a formula you can make at home to tide them over til you can get to a store for the KMR.
From a kitten rescue website: www.kittenrescue.org/handbook.htm#Recipe

The pet store is closed, and you have hungry kittens that need formula! Never fear!

In a pinch, the Cornell Book of Cats says that human baby formula can be used if made up to double the normal strength (human baby formula is normally not nutritious enough for kittens). As with the below formulas, please remember that any emergency formula should only be used until regular Feline Replacement Formula (such as KMR or Just Born) can be purchased at the pet store. None of these are nutritionally complete for the long term health of a kitten.

Formula #1
1 quart whole goat's milk
1 teaspoon light Karo syrup
1 tablespoon nonfat plain yogurt (goat's milk preferred)
1 egg yolk
Knox unflavored gelatin:
Newborn-1 week 1 pkg
2nd week 1 1/2 - 2 pkgs
3rd week 2 1/2 - 3 pkgs
4th week 4 pkgs

Put goat's milk in saucepan, add gelatin in the amount above depending on the kitten's age. Heat goat's milk/gelatin mixture just until gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat. Mix in remaining ingredients and refrigerate. It will keep up to one week. Heat to skin test temperature and feed kittens.

Formula #2
8 ounces homogenized whole milk
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon salad oil
1 drop liquid pediatric vitamins (optional)

Mix well and warm before using. Keep refrigerated.

Formula #3
1 part boiled water to 5 parts evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon bone meal per 16 oz fluid

Mix well, refrigerate, warm before using .

Formula #4
1 can Evaporated Milk
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons Karo syrup

All three mixed well and kept in tightly sealed jar in fridge.
At feeding time mix 1/2 of the estimated feeding amount with:
Equal amount of boiling water
(once a day mix 1 drop of human infant liquid vitamins in each kitties formula)

If constipation occurrs: add 1 drop of vegetable oil to each kitties formula no more than once daily till problem is eased. Test temperature before feeding (the combination of boiling water and chilled formula should be just about right).

I have used the #4 formula and adjusted the amt of Karo syrup (Plain ol corn syrup) and had no problems.
That website should give you enough info regarding amt to feed, how to make the kitten go potty, and other issues in caring for orphaned kits.
Good luck!!

Answer 7

Where is the momma cat? She may have been out hunting and is looking for them. Call a shelter right away and explain why you need a live trap. They will help you set it up. A momm'a milk is best.

Kittens that small need to be treated with a LOT of care. Not only feeding, but rubbing their bellies and bums to encourage waste excretion. They also need to be fed every 3 hours or so. A shelter will be able to advise you. They may also have a surrogate momma cat they cat move them to.

Answer 8

Check out this webpage. It has the info you need to know on kittens of this age. Never feed cats or kittens "human" or "whole" milk. They have sensitive digestive systems. Buy a kitten milk or kitten replacement milk. Check this out:

http://experts.about.com/q/Cats-1606/3-week-old-kittens-1.htm

Answer 9

No. Cats are lactose intolerant to the point of milk being fatal. Take them to the vet. At 3 weeks old, they should not be old enough to be away from their mother; therefore, they need formula. The vet can give you a prescription. Good luck!

Answer 10

Not unless you want them to have raging diarrhea :) I would try this instead:
INGREDIENTS:
1 lg. can evaporated milk (not Milnot)
2 tbsp. plain yogurt (not diet)
2 tbsp. mayonnaise (real)
1 tbs. Karo Syrup (light)
1 pkg. Knox gelatin
1 egg yolk (beaten)
1 cup of liquid unflavored Pedialyte

INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix milk, yogurt, mayonnaise and syrup together well.
Bring 1 cup water to boil and mix in Knox gelatin; set aside.
Mix egg yolk with small amount of milk mixture and beat well.
Add gelatin and water to milk mixture and beat well. Add in egg yolk mixture and beat well.
Pour into a freezer safe bowl or similar type of bowl with a cover and set in refrigerator.
We usually use Ice Cube Trays for our glop pudding. Pudding will last for two weeks covered in refrigerator.
Always warm pudding to room temperature (milk form) before feeding.
It is very rich in calcium, this pudding can be used as a supplement for kittens, sick cats and show cats to put on weight. Several Veterinarians have approved this recipe as being balanced and nutritious.