Is it alright to give 8 week old kittens water mixed with a cap full of milk?

Answer 1

No its not. Give id kitten chow and water.

Answer 2

Contrary to popular opinion, it's perfectly fine for you to give your kittens milk as long as they haven't yet reached the age of 12 weeks. This is why:

Kittens produce the enzyme called lactase that helps with digesting milk sugar (lactose). It's found in all milk, including cat's milk. Since kittens drink their mother's milk, they must be able to digest lactose.

But as the kitten ages and starts eating other foods, he/she begins to lose the ability to produce lactase, which means that he/she will start having trouble digesting lactose. Therefore, milk will be hard to digest. This usually happens to kittens beginning at around 12 weeks old.

Since this is the case, cats over 12 weeks are generally lactose intolerant. Just like lactose intolerant people, cats will often get gas and diarrhea, and (for some) vomiting, if they're given milk. So you shouldn't give cats (over 12 wks old) any milk unless it is lactose-free.

I usually tell people to avoid milk altogether since I have found that many tend to forget the age at which they should cease feeding their cats milk. But I thought that I'd go ahead and start explaining this so no one would think that I'm giving misinformation.

Anyway, since cats cannot have milk past the age of 12 weeks, it's perfectly fine to feed milk to your 8 week old kitties. Just don't forget to stop after they have reached 12 weeks.
Also- Another thing you could give your kittens is rice milk. Grains should usually be avoided. However, white rice can help with digestive problems. So rice milk is a good choice if given sparingly.

Your kittens should now be capable of eating solids. But, if you're having problems, you can try this:

--Mix milk or kitten formula with baby food into a gruel,

and/or...

--Mix canned kitten food with milk or kitten formula.

--Get your kittens to eat the above off of a dish or spoon.

--Gradually reduce the amount of formula/milk each day until the kitten is only eating kitten food.

Your kittens may experience temporary diarrhea. Any changes in diet can cause this, because kittens have very sensitive tummies. Bottle feed your kittens while you wean them to ensure that they get enough to eat. And, of course, reduce the bottle feeding as they eat more solid food.

Hope this helps! ☺

Answer 3

In general, cats cannot tolerate cow's milk. An eight-week old kitten should be able to eat kitten chow. Also, be sure to give them fresh water daily.

Answer 4

A little bit won't hurt them (my aunts cats ALWAYS had milk, they lived healthily to old age) but it's also totally unneccesary. They're completely happy with water.
My cats don't get milk at all but on occassion I will give them a VERY small piece of cheese. Probably not great for them but it doesn't hurt them either and they LOVE it

Answer 5

At 8 weeks of age, if theyhave stopped drinking mama's milk, then they may not need milk at all -- especially not cow's milk, which can easily give them diarrhea.

If you really want to give them milk then ask your vet is CatSip is ok to give them -- it is milk with the bad enzymes removed, so cats can drinnk it.

Answer 6

Cats shouldn't get milk at all, it may make them throw up. If you are doing this because you think they need extra calcium, specially-formulated kitten food will give them what they need.

Answer 7

milk has water in it and water mixed with milk will have no difference because the mother cat has milk in her for the kittens to drink.so i see no problem with that

Answer 8

No Way! Cow's milk will give them upset stomachs and you will have kittens with diarreah !!! You can start them on a kitten formula, but no cow's milk !!!!!

Answer 9

Kitten chow will work for them.

Answer 10

CATS ARE LACTOSE INTOLLERANT! NO DON'T GIVE THE KITTEN ANY MILK UNLESS IT IS CATS MILK!