The mother cat provides everything for her newborn kittens. A newborn cannot regulate temperature, see, hear, or even defecate without the mother's help. Importantly, they cannot eat. Cats are mammals, so called because they have mammary glands. These glands allow them to feed their young with breast milk, which they produce themselves. This breast milk is more than just food. The first milk, called colostrum, that cats give to their kittens is rich in essential nutrients that help strengthen the vulnerable young cat's immune system. The milk will change slowly, but will still be packed with nutrients.
If the mother cat does not give milk, the kittens are in serious danger. Their ability to survive is at risk. We explore possible reasons why a mother cat is not producing milk to help understand what to do in the worst case scenario.
When does a cat produce milk?
Typically, cats produce milk immediately after their babies are born.
At this time, the animal’s body releases the hormone oxytocin, which stimulates lactation. Also, a few days before the onset of labor, the first drops of colostrum may be released from the nipples. For various reasons, milk production may begin only 2-3 hours after all kittens are born. Babies instinctively find the nipples and begin to stimulate them, which allows milk to flow into the mammary glands.
How to tell if a cat doesn't have milk
The main sign of a well-fed kitten is silence. If babies sleep peacefully and wake up only to eat a hearty meal, it means that the mother is producing enough milk, and the owner does not need to worry.
If the kittens are restless, constantly squeak, crawl around the box or maternity box and often suck on the nipples, this indicates that they are hungry. These babies have sunken tummies and grow slowly. Many owners wonder: what to do if the cat does not have milk, and how to help her.
INTERESTING! You can determine whether your pet has milk in the following way. It is necessary to gently press on the animal's nipple. If white drops appear on it, milk is being produced.
Pyometra
Postpartum pyometra is a complex pathological disease that cannot be ignored. There is no point in treating the disease; you need to immediately take the cat for surgery. This is the only way you can save your pet’s life.
There are many reasons for the development of the disease. These are mainly birth injuries, a weak immune system, lack of sterility during childbirth and, as a result, infection. Pyometra is accompanied by inflammation and accumulation of pus and mucus in the uterus. The inflammatory process then spreads throughout the reproductive system.
Main symptoms:
- swelling and enlargement of the labia;
- anxiety;
- thirst;
- refusal to eat;
- polyuria;
- rapid breathing;
- temperature;
- trembling in the body.
The disease develops rapidly and it is difficult not to notice its development. The cat breathes frequently and licks its fur to such a state that bald spots appear.
For what reasons may a cat lack milk?
There are several reasons why a mother cat does not produce milk:
- Retention of the placenta after the end of labor. In order for it to come out, the animal is given an injection of oxytocin or calcium borogluconate. These drugs stimulate contraction of the uterus, causing the placenta to be expelled. If this does not happen, veterinarians perform surgery.
- Pyometra or endometritis. After giving birth, a cat's uterus may become inflamed, with pus accumulating in its cavity. This happens for two reasons: a greatly distended uterus or the afterbirth remaining in it. Pyometra can be recognized by the cat's behavior: it becomes restless, breathes heavily, hides in dark corners, and white discharge appears from the noose. Pyometra is treated with antibiotics (at an early stage) or surgery if the disease is already very advanced.
- Eclampsia. This condition is caused by an acute calcium deficiency in the animal’s body. Eclampsia develops during the first two days after birth. The cat experiences convulsions, and without help it may die suddenly.
- Mastitis. With this disease, the cat's mammary glands become inflamed. They become hard and hot and milk is not produced. The animal experiences first discomfort and then severe pain in the chest area.
- Stress. Cats giving birth for the first time can be very nervous and even aggressive. They do not understand what happened to them, they worry, they may leave the babies and refuse to feed them. This happens because the hormone oxytocin is not produced immediately, and therefore milk does not yet begin to flow into the mammary glands.
- Lack of maternal instinct. Some cats can abandon their offspring immediately after they are born. The milk production process does not start in a timely manner, and the animal refuses to be near the babies. You can try to awaken the maternal instinct in your pet. To do this, the kittens need to be placed close to the nipples, and the cat must be carefully held and calmed.
- Incorrect cat diet before and during birth. A cat may not produce milk if she does not get enough nutrients from her food. It is very important to correctly prepare the diet of a nursing animal and prepare milk mixtures.
Normal discharge
After the birth of kittens, the owner must carefully monitor the temperature and discharge of his pet. The birth of kittens ends with discharge. Initially they may be brown or streaked with blood - this is normal.
Postpartum discharge from the loop is an integral part of the body’s recovery. After childbirth, the uterus contracts and expels clear mucus residue. This can last up to three weeks. Veins and a greenish tint in some cases can be considered normal, and in some cases they can be life-threatening. Here you will need the help of a doctor.
What to do if your cat has little or no milk
If a mother cat does not have milk, first of all you should make sure that she does not have any pathologies. The box with the offspring and pet is placed in a quiet and dark place. The cat should not be nervous or stressed.
If the animal does not have enough milk, breeders recommend using the following recipes:
- Nettle inflorescences. They are first collected, washed and dried. The inflorescences are then ground with a coffee grinder into flour and added to the animal’s food.
- Wild raspberry leaves. A decoction is prepared from them, which is given to the mother cat, 15 ml three times a day.
- Walnuts, sour cream and milk. Nuts (10 pcs.) are crushed, poured with boiling milk (500 ml) and left to infuse for 3-4 hours. After this, the mixture is filtered. After the infusion becomes warm, add a couple of tablespoons of thick sour cream. The mixture is mixed well, wrapped in a blanket and left for a day to ferment. This yogurt is fed to the animal.
- Carrots and sour cream. The fresh vegetable is grated on a fine grater or ground using a blender and mixed with sour cream.
- Quail eggs. Egg shells are washed and dried well. It is then ground to a powder using a coffee grinder. The resulting mixture is combined with thick village sour cream and given to the cat.
- Cream, eggs and glucose. One quail egg is mixed with 20 ml of cream 10% and 5 ml of glucose 5%. This mixture is given to the cat every day immediately after the kittens are born for a week, then it is fed every 3-4 days.
Lactation is well stimulated by drinking plenty of fluids, a calm environment and adequate, balanced feeding. You can also offer your pet infusions and decoctions of herbs: nettle, dandelion, anise, cumin, catnip, fennel.
Many breeders recommend giving a nursing cat warm black, weak tea with a small amount of condensed milk. You can also switch your pet to a special diet designed for feeding lactating animals: Royal Canin BABYCAT, 1st Choice Kitten CHATON, etc.
REFERENCE! Fospasim and Ovariovit will help stimulate milk production. These drugs are administered subcutaneously to the animal in a dosage of 1 ml. The course of application is 1-2 weeks.
Feeding a nursing cat
A nursing cat is fed more often: up to 6-7 times a day, and portions should be small. The volume of food is increased by 10-15% of the usual daily intake.
The natural diet of a nursing cat-mother should consist of the following products:
- meat (veal, rabbit, turkey) and offal (liver) - up to 50% of the total daily requirement;
- boiled fish without bones - it can replace meat 1-3 times a week;
- dairy products (cottage cheese, yogurt, low-fat cream) – up to 30% of the daily requirement;
- quail and chicken eggs, boiled or raw – 1-2 pcs. in Week;
- chopped vegetables – up to 10%.
If a cat eats natural food, it must be given vitamin supplements intended for nursing animals, for example, Farmavit NEO for pregnant and lactating cats, 8 in 1 Excel Brewers, etc.
The lack of milk in a pet that has given birth should alert the owner. This phenomenon may be the result of stress, in which case rest and good nutrition will help. If milk is not produced due to pathology, the animal must receive veterinary care within 1-2 days after birth.
Milk replacers and formula for newborn kittens
To feed newborn kittens, milk substitutes and formulas are used that are as close in composition to mother's milk as possible. If the kittens are weak and do not ask to eat, it is extremely important to correctly calculate the daily food intake based on their weight:
- From birth to 7 days – 30 ml per 100 g. body weight.
- From 7 to 14 days – 35 ml per 100 g. body weight. From 14 to 21 days – 40 ml per 100 g. body weight.
- From 21 to 28 days – 45–48 ml per 100 g. body weight.
- From day 28 – at least 50–53 ml per 100 g. body weight.
If kittens are active and fussy when hungry, it is recommended that they be fed on demand.
In the first few days, since kittens are not receiving maternal colostrum, they may ask to eat more often.
Industrial cat milk substitutes
Industrial cat milk substitutes are considered the optimal food for newborn kittens:
- Katzenmilch – possible from day one.
- Hartz milk powder.
- Babycat Milk (Royal Canin) - according to the instructions, it is possible only from 2 months, but the mixture can be used earlier if there are no alternatives.
- Beaphar Kitty-Milk.
- Gimpet Cat-Milk.
- Nutri Vet.
- Just Born.
- Nurturall-C.
- Pet Lac.
If purchasing a commercial cat milk replacer is problematic, purchase food for at least the first two weeks. A period of 14 days is considered decisive for the formation of intestinal microflora.
Baby formula
From two weeks of age, you can start using infant formula for kittens:
- Nutrilon.
- Nestozhen.
- Little Istrinsky.
- Baby.
When choosing formula milk, give preference to products for newborns, without sugar or additives. Read the ingredients carefully, as some milk formulas have a high lactose content, which is good for children, but not for kittens.
Scott's mixture for kittens - recipe, preparation, storage
If you are unable to purchase a commercial cat milk replacer or baby formula, you can prepare Scott's formula for kittens.
Recipe:
- Homemade, not separated cow's milk – 50 g.
- Powdered milk – 15 gr.
- Dry yeast (nutritional) – 3 gr.
- Chicken egg (yolk and white) – 50 gr.
- Chicken egg white, beaten until foamy – 50 g.
- Sunflower oil, refined – 1 gr.
- Glucose (powder or pharmacy) – 4 g.
Preparation:
- Place all ingredients in a ceramic bowl.
- Mix the mixture thoroughly with a whisk until a homogeneous mass is formed.
- Using a syringe, take out the required amount of the mixture.
- Warm the mixture to 38 degrees before feeding.
The mixture is stored in a refrigerator in a ceramic container covered with cellophane and paper. Shelf life no more than 3 days! The recipe is given for a body weight of 1 kg, so be careful when calculating the daily food intake!
Tailinga mixture for kittens - recipe, preparation, storage
Tailing's kitten formula does not contain yeast, so it is more suitable for kittens that have received their mother's colostrum.
Recipe:
- Homemade, not separated cow's milk – 25 g.
- Powdered milk – 5 gr.
- Glucose (powder or pharmacy) – 2 g.
- Vitamin supplements for kittens (industrial) – 1 g.
Preparation:
- Place all ingredients in a ceramic bowl.
- Mix the mixture thoroughly with a whisk until a homogeneous mass is formed.
- Using a syringe, take out the required amount of the mixture.
- Warm the mixture to 38 degrees before feeding.
The mixture is stored in a refrigerator in a ceramic container covered with cellophane and paper. Shelf life no more than 3 days! The recipe is given for a body weight of 1 kg, so be careful when calculating the daily food intake!
