Is cow milk bad for new born kittens??? URGENT!!!!!!!!!!?

Question

My cat abandoned her kittens and i was going to give them cow milk . My cousin said that cow milk is bad for new born kittens is this true???

Answer 1

Not good for them at all. They can't digest it well and it will cause diarrhea and dehydration. Go to a pet store and get kitten formula.

Answer 2

I've always heard it can cause parasites and worms in their stomach. There is kitten milk available at most pet stores and if you have a 24 hour walmart then you need to go get some and don't forget the kitten bottle. I hope this helps in the meantime make sure you keep those little kittens warm so their body temperature doesn't drop. Don't use a heating pad because it may get too hot. If you've already touched them and know for sure the mother will not have any contact with them put down towels that you've warmed in the dryer for them. Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

it is true, you should not give the kitten cows milk. Cow's milk curds very hard in the stomachs of babies and baby animals, and they are not made do deal with this, so she would get a belly ache. They do make kitten milk replacers that you can buy at the pet store or vets office. You could give it goat's milk if you have access to it, goat's milk doesnt curd as hard, so it wont give them a belly ache. And no milk is not milk, it does matter where it comes from. Milks are different for every species.

Answer 4

Dogs and cats do not have the proper enzymes to properly break down the sugar in milk which is called 'lactose.' You may have heard of people who are lactose-intolerant. They are also missing these digestive enzymes. If the proper enzymes are not present, the lactose remains undigested and tends to ferment in the intestine and cause diarrhea. Some pets can tolerate a little milk, others, none at all. If your pet enjoys and appears to tolerate milk, you can give your pet small amounts. Better yet, give your pet one of the special cat or dog milks on the market that have had the lactose removed.

Do not give your kitten cow's milk - it can make them sick and give them diarrhea. You can obtain mother's milk replacer for young kittens at many of the pet stores in the area. When the kittens are 8 weeks or older, they no longer need the milk but may enjoy it anyway. Milk that has been specially processed for cats to consume safely is available from many local groceries.

Feeding can be done with an eyedropper or a nursing bottle (available at the vet). If using the eyedropper be careful not to force feed the kitten. Let the baby suck the fluid at its own pace, otherwise you can fill the baby's lungs with milk and cause pneumonia.

If the baby is old enough to suckle, the bottle method is best. One company even makes a special kitten nurser which is designed to keep air bubbles out of the baby's tummy. The company is Catac ($15 to Kitte Res-Q, Dept. C, P.O. Box 723, Santa Paula, Ca 93061).

All utensils should be sterilized before each feeding.

To feed your kitten, place it stomach down on a towel or other textured surface to which it can cling. Open its mouth gently with the tip of your finger, then slip the nipple between its jaws. To prevent air from entering the kitten's stomach, hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle, keeping a light pull on the bottle to encourage vigorous sucking.

If a suckling kitten aspirates formula into its lungs, immediately hold it upside down until the choking subsides. If the kitten is not strong enough to suckle, seek veterinary assistance ASAP.

Formula should be warmed to body temperature and fed to small kittens every 3-4 hours. As they get older every 6-8 hours will be enough. Check the package for recommended feeding amounts and feedings per day. A kitten needs approximately 8 cc’s of formula per ounce of body weight per day. The kitten's age determines the number of daily feedings it should receive.

When a kitten has had enough formula, bubbles will form around its mouth, and its tummy will be rounded. After each meal, burp the kitten by holding it upright against you shoulder and patting it lightly on the back.

Do not overfeed kittens, as this can bring on diarrhea as well as other problems.

FEEDING GUIDE

in order of: age in weeks, average weight, amount of formula, times per days (feed)
1 4 ounces 32 cc 6
2 7 ounces 56 cc 4
3 10 ounces 80 cc 3
4 13 ounces 104 cc 3
5 1 pound 128 cc 3


For kittens with a lack of appetite or anemia, "Pet-Tinic" vitamin/mineral supplement (available at the vet and pet food stores) will stimulate appetite and rebuild systems. Follow the directions on the bottle for dosage and give direct by dropper or add to food.

Kittens should be weighed frequently to ensure that they are growing properly. You'll soon know if your orphans are thriving because they will grow at an incredible rate.

Answer 5

Mature cats do not require milk as a part of their diet. Young kittens require their mothers' milk only while they are still nursing. This milk contains nutrients and antibodies that help kittens grow and stay healthy. Once cats mature, many become lactose intolerant. This makes cow’s milk a poor choice to use as a treat for your cat. Milk can cause your pet to have stomach ailments and indigestion since they are not used to it. In some cases milk can actually make your cat very ill and cause vomiting and/or diarrhea. If you really want to give your cat milk, most pet stores carry lactose free milk made especially for cats. This can provide a good substitute to cows' milk and can be a good treat.

Answer 6

Yes it is very bad. You need to go to Petco or a store and buy them kitten milk and bottles. Giving then cows milk could actually kill them because their stomachs cannot properly digest it.

Answer 7

I would not give a kitten cows milk, it does not give them the nutrients they need to survive. I have nursed many sets of kittens, they have kitten formula that you can buy at wal-mart until you can get them to a vet, they will be able to tell you better what to give them. Good luck!

Answer 8

It's very bad for kittens. They should be fed special cat milk or water until they are at least 3 months old and it would be better if you waited 6 months.

Answer 9

Yes, cow's milk is bad, it gives them diarrhea and a lot of stomach upset.

Only give them the cat's milk in cartons you buy at a grocery store.

If in a pinch and you can't get that, give them goat's, rice or soy milk... much easier on their newborn tummies!

Good luck with your cute kittens!

Answer 10

Get condensed canned goat's milk. It's about $2 per can and you can get it at WalMart Supercenters in the baking aisle.

If the kittens "crash" before your get good formula in their bellies, put a bit of caro syrup on their gums to get their blood sugars up.

You can start teaching them to drink out of a dish when they are about 2 or 3 weeks old. When they can drink the formula, then blend in canned cat food with the goat milk and make it gradually thicker each meal.

P.S. If you want them to die really fast, then follow the advice about giving them water only. :roll eyes: