Milk for kittens is a valuable, nutritious liquid that they receive from their mother. When the cat stops feeding the baby, he switches to solid food. The body reduces the production of the enzyme responsible for digesting milk. If you give your baby cow's milk instead of age-appropriate food, it may cause stomach upset.
Features of nutrition and digestion in kittens
Newborn kittens receive from mother's milk all the substances necessary for development. Cow and goat are not suitable because they do not contain the required amount of fat, protein, calories, and amino acids.
The milk that newborn kittens receive from their mother on the first day after birth not only transfers nutrients. The liquid contains antibodies that help babies fight viruses and bacteria that are dangerous specifically for cats.
A few days after birth, the amount of protein and fat in cat's milk increases. The latter contribute to the development of the nervous system of babies. Towards the end of feeding, the composition of the liquid changes, preparing the baby’s body for the transition to wet, then solid food of a carnivore.
Prohibited Products
Including certain foods in the diet of British Shorthair cats can have serious consequences.
- Milk can only be given to kittens up to six months old. This is due to the fact that in childhood a large amount of the enzyme lactase is secreted. This compound is necessary for the digestion of milk, namely, for the destruction of glycosidic bonds of disaccharides. As the pet grows and develops, the production of this enzyme gradually ceases. This situation leads to the fact that the pet cannot completely digest the milk. Consumption of the product as an adult can affect the condition of the digestive system. The clinical picture is usually represented by stool disturbances, general malaise and vomiting.
- Pork is the most dangerous meat in terms of helminthiasis. Most parasites are localized in the internal organs and muscles of cattle. Moreover, pathogens can be in different states - both at the larval and adult stages. As a result of the fact that pigs often receive uncleaned feed, helminths can enter their body. Raw meat containing the pathogen infects the cat. The further clinical picture depends on the type of parasite. But in most cases, helminthic infestation without treatment leads to severe depletion of the body and death of the animal. In the early stages of the disease, complete recovery is possible in 95-100% of cases. Pork is also dangerous in terms of fat content. Excessive intake of lipids and cholesterol can provoke serious diseases of the cardiovascular system in the animal in the future. Therefore, preference is given to dietary meat varieties.
- Food from the owner's table is strictly prohibited for the pet. Fried, spicy, highly salted, smoked foods can lead to poisoning of the body, the development of gastritis and peptic ulcers if the animal is regularly fed incorrectly. The cat is a carnivorous predator, so food should be close to natural nutrition in nature.
- Plants of the legume family create unfavorable conditions in the intestinal lumen - fermentation occurs during digestion. The pet experiences discomfort in the abdomen due to increased formation of gases.
- Chicken and fish bones are dangerous for cats, as there is a risk of them getting into the respiratory tract. In addition, trauma to the soft tissues of the oral cavity is possible, followed by suppuration in the area of damage.
- Dietary supplements, vitamins, and medications intended for humans are strictly prohibited from being given to cats. Despite the fact that usual medications are used in veterinary practice, if a pet becomes ill, they should be purchased through veterinary pharmacies. This is due to the fact that the products have special dosages and dilutions intended for use by animals.
1111
Why cats can't have milk
Kittens grow very quickly and gain weight, so up to 12-16 weeks, food should be high-calorie and not contain components that disrupt the functioning of the digestive tract. First of all, this applies to cow and goat milk.
Lactose intolerance in cats
Dairy products contain lactose, a type of sugar that consists of glucose and galactose. It imparts sweetness to the liquid, which is an advantage of a milk drink for humans. But cats' taste buds do not respond to it.
Moreover, with age, the digestive system of pets reduces the synthesis of the lactase enzyme, which helps process lactose. Excess lactose is retained in the body, settles in the intestines and begins to interact with bacteria. Therefore, diarrhea and bloating in cats is the main sign of lactose intolerance.
Interesting fact: cat milk contains much less lactose than cow's and goat's milk - 3.4% versus 4.6%.
Milk in the diet of adult cats
Cats are carnivores, 70% of their diet should be meat, and dairy food cannot replace it. Some pets tolerate the product normally, without diarrhea or bloating. But due to the lack of necessary nutrients, there is no point in giving a milk drink to adult cats.
Natural food
If the owner of a British cat has enough free time to prepare a varied menu for his pet, then a diet based on natural products is an excellent option.
Balanced food for British breed cats must necessarily consist of meat, fish, vegetables and cereals, as well as dairy products. During the molting period, it is recommended to add vitamin complexes and brewer's yeast to the food.
Not all meat and offal are suitable for feeding a British cat; the optimal types are:
- beef;
- veal;
- chicken;
- turkey;
- rabbit meat.
Before consumption, the meat must be defrosted and doused with boiling water. You can make minced meat from poultry, veal and beef by adding boiled cereals and vegetables, and also serve it boiled.
Liver (beef or chicken) can be given no more than once a week, like eggs. Many owners note that the British happily eat boiled kidneys, heart, tongue, and lungs.
If you feed natural food, then do not forget to include ocean or sea fish in your diet:
- cod;
- pollock;
- navaga;
- hake.
It is better to avoid feeding river fish: it contains less unsaturated fatty acids, which are responsible for the good condition of the coat, but there are a great many small bones that are dangerous for the animal. Before feeding, fish and other seafood must be boiled.
Vegetables on a British menu should be represented by root vegetables containing the least amount of starch; products such as:
- beet;
- carrot;
- white cabbage;
- cauliflower;
- cucumbers;
- zucchini.
The most useful cereals to feed are rice, buckwheat, oatmeal, and barley. It is imperative to feed your British cat fermented milk products without dyes or sweeteners:
- low-fat cream and sour cream;
- cottage cheese;
- natural yogurt;
- fermented baked milk;
- kefir
Can cats be given milk?
Do kittens get milk? Older babies who have switched to wet and solid food should not be given cow's or goat's milk. This usually happens by 8-10 weeks. Cats will not refuse dairy food, since the memory of the “taste of childhood” remains on the subconscious level.
Can kittens have cow's milk?
The maximum fat content of cat's milk is 10%, cow's milk is 3.6%. Can a small kitten be given cow's milk? No. It is unable to replace mother’s milk for a newborn, and is not needed for older pets. Moreover, the product cannot be given as the main food.
Cow's milk may not provide all the nutrients needed to keep your pet healthy. The fat present in the liquid contributes to weight gain and stomach upset in an adult cat. The low-fat product does not contain vitamins A and D, which help calcium and protein to be absorbed. This has a bad effect on the skeletal system.
Can kittens have goat milk?
Goat product contains more minerals and vitamins than cow product. It is fattier than cow's milk (6%), but this is not enough for a kitten. Goat milk has a little less lactose, so it is absorbed a little better than cow milk. However, once the kittens are on solid food, milk should be stopped.
The veterinarian can recommend a product for feeding a newborn kitten, giving a recipe for preparing the mixture. It is not recommended to give it in its pure form, since it does not contain many substances necessary for the normal development of the pet.
Can a kitten have milk from the store?
Is it possible to give a kitten store-bought milk? No. Mostly cow milk is sold in supermarkets and is not suitable for pets. Pasteurized products are especially harmful to cats. Studies have shown that it causes skeletal abnormalities, developmental defects and reproductive problems.
Moreover, do not buy cheap goods. Usually this is a low-quality product, where 2-3 tablespoons of dry powder are diluted with a liter of water, and there is not even a smell. A newborn will not benefit, and a grown pet will not need such food.
Can a kitten have powdered milk?
Pet stores sell dry food - cat milk substitutes. They can be given to kittens up to 8 weeks old if they are left without a mother or there is not enough milk. If there is no substitute on sale, the situation is critical; regular milk powder cannot be given. Call your veterinarian, who will tell you exactly how to prepare a formula for your newborn pet.
Can cats eat apples?
Apples, especially green ones, are the most common, safe and healthy fruit for dogs and cats. It is recommended to give apples in dried form no more than 5% of the daily diet, fresh up to 10%, baked and boiled 15% of the daily diet.
Interesting materials:
How to set a password to open a Word 2007 document? How to sign a document on an iPhone? How to sign a document? How to properly create a document in Word? How to correctly correct errors made in a document? How to properly create a document in Word? How to convert an open office document to Word? How to convert a document to a photo? How to check documents for a garden plot? How to check the authenticity of documents for an apartment?
What and how to feed a small kitten
If you picked up a kitten on the street or the cat does not have milk, the ideal option is to find a wet-nurse cat. To do this, ask your friends, advertise on social networks.
What kind of milk should be given to newborn kittens if a wet nurse has not been found? Buy kitten replacement from your veterinary pharmacy, which can be sold in liquid or dry form.
When a substitute is not sold in your city, ask your veterinarian how to prepare formula for feeding a kitten and what kind of milk to feed the kitten. You cannot feed your baby regular cow or goat milk; it must be mixed with yolk. Moreover, do not give condensed milk, the composition of which leaves much to be desired.
How to feed a newborn kitten
The pet must be fed from a special bottle with a nipple, which can be purchased at a pet pharmacy. If it is not there, you can take a pipette or syringe without a needle. In the second case, the mixture must be squeezed out slowly, otherwise the liquid may enter the trachea.
How much milk to give a kitten
A newborn kitten needs to be fed every 2 hours. You need to give:
- 2-3 ml of mixture per 1 feeding in the first three days of life;
- from days 4 to 7, the dose should be increased to 5 ml;
- at the age of 6-10 days – 5-7.5 ml.
Then the frequency of feedings decreases:
- from 11-14 days they give 10-12.5 mixtures, feeding every three hours.
- from 15-21 days – 10 ml of the mixture 8 times a day.
- from 21 days, give 7.5-25 ml 3-4 times a day, begin to introduce solid food.
Feeding instructions
- Dilute the mixture according to the instructions, heat in a water bath.
- Place a cloth on your knees, place the baby on his stomach, slightly raise his head.
- Give him a pacifier with a bottle.
- If you take the pacifier away prematurely, the baby will crawl and squeak. When he is full, he turns his face away and falls asleep.
- After feeding, remove any remaining food from the baby's fur.
- Place your pet on its back and stroke its tummy to start the process of digesting food.
- To avoid constipation and stimulate peristalsis, massage the kitten’s tummy and anus. If it doesn’t help, you can give an enema, but for the first time ask to do it yourself.
Choosing a place and utensils for feeding
Before the kitten arrives in the new home, it is advisable to equip a sitting and eating area. The choice of place and utensils for feeding plays an important role, since the feeling of comfort and safety determines how willing the kitten will be to eat in an unfamiliar environment.
The feeding area should be:
- Safe.
- Comfortable.
- Available.
- Clean.
To ensure your kitten feels safe, make sure he is not disturbed while he eats. If there are other animals in your home, during the adaptation period, feed the new pet separately.
To make your pet comfortable, you need to choose comfortable bowls. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are ideal for feeding pets. Ceramic bowls are heavy, they do not slip on the floor and are easy to clean. Stainless steel bowls are more compact and can be treated with boiling water, but they slide on the floor, so it is better to place them on a stand.
At the stage of accustoming the kitten to a feeding schedule, the pet must be sure that it will get to the place of food at the usual time. If you feed your kitten in the kitchen, keep the doors open during the adaptation period. The door can be closed while the kitten is eating; the rest of the time, the pet should be able to approach an empty feeder and drinking bowl.
To keep the eating area clean, it must be covered with oilcloth or a rubber non-slip mat. Special mats solve several problems at once: they prevent injury if the kitten runs towards the bowl, make cleaning easier and prevent bowls from sliding on the floor.
Question answer
Is it possible to give a one-month-old kitten milk from a non-cat?
There is no point if the mother has enough of it. If your baby is hungry, buy a formula designed for kittens.
Why can't cats be given milk?
The product contains lactose, which the cat's body does not digest well. The result of such feeding is diarrhea, bloating, allergies.
What kind of milk can you give a kitten?
If your baby has already switched to solid food, do not give him a milk drink.
Is it possible to feed a kitten milk?
No. If you have a newborn kitten without a mother, it is better to buy a cat milk replacer.
Should a nursing cat be given milk drinks?
No. It is better to give vitamins and minerals that veterinarians recommend for pregnant and lactating cats.
Fish day
Have you thought about what to feed British kittens and bought some fish? In fact, the fact that cats need fish to survive is nothing more than a myth. In their natural habitat, cats do not eat fish, and their bodies are not initially adapted to digest it. Fish contains a lot of magnesium and phosphorus salts, and excessive consumption of this product can lead to urolithiasis. However, if you still decide to treat your pet to fish, choose sea fish, such as perch. And don’t forget to remove all the seeds from the treat, otherwise your baby may choke!
By-products in a cat's diet
In addition to meat, offal is something that is not only possible, but also necessary to feed British kittens! The liver, kidneys, heart, lungs and ventricles can easily replace meat for a kitten. There is no need to boil them; the kitten will happily eat them raw. If you bought chicken or turkey stomachs for your purr, it is advisable to clean them of films.
Please note: if your British kitten is lilac in color, then it is better to refrain from by-products, as consuming them can darken the coat.
The meat is all cat meat!
If you have chosen only natural products for your cat child, then meat is the best way to feed your British kitten. The meat contains everything necessary for the proper growth of a furry pet. In addition, kittens, like small children, are teething. And “sharpening” them on a piece of beef or lamb is a pleasure!
But not all meat is good for kittens: pork should not be given at all, as it is too fatty and may contain parasites, and chicken and turkey should be given with caution - this meat can cause allergic reactions in some kittens. For very young kittens (1-3 months), any meat should be boiled and then crumbled into small pieces. Older kittens can already eat raw meat, cut into large pieces.
There is an opinion that meat for feeding kittens and adult cats must first be frozen. This is not true: such meat leaves nothing useful for your pet.
