Recipes for Kitten Formula & Milk
The kitten formula and kitten milk recipes on this page are offered as a solution for those times a mother's milk is not available or there are more kittens than the mother cat can care for.
As with human babies, if any of the kitten milk or formula recipes appear to disagree with your kitten's tummy or they appear to not be thriving, be sure to get your furry baby the medical attention they need.
For kittens that are already weaned, we also have 3 Kitten Food Recipes that will provide transitional and solid food for your growing kitten.
Kitten Formula Recipe
INFANT KITTEN FORMULA
1 can evaporated milk (or 1 can goat's milk)
1 cup Pedialyte (or generic equivalent, unflavored)
1 whole egg
1 packet unflavored gelatin
1/2 teaspoon liquid infant vitamins
Blend together. Heat small amounts in microwave to "wrist comfortable" temperature immediately before administering. Store leftover kitten formula in refrigerator no longer than 72 hours. Blend before serving each time.
To administer, use a syringe without needle or use a kitten feeding bottle. Start with small amounts and work up gradually as kitten grows. Administer once every two hours during first two weeks, every three during third week, every four during fourth week. During fourth week, start blending a small can of high quality ground kitten food into the mixture.
Kitten Milk Recipes
EMERGENCY KITTEN MILK
12 oz. boiling water
1 envelope Knox unflavored gelatin
Dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water, and add:
1-12 oz. can evaporated canned milk
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 egg yolk
Mix well in mixer. Place in covered bowl and store in refrigerator. Warm a small amount for feedings. The original recipe claimed that this will keep for about 7 days, due to the use of a mostly uncooked egg yolk, I wouldn't keep this more than a few days.
KITTEN MILK
13 ounces unflavored Pedialyte®
12 ounces evaporated milk
8 ounces plain yogurt (1% milkfat NOT light)
2-1/2 ounces lamb baby food *
2 egg yolks
2 tablespoons white corn syrup
Put all ingredients into a blender and mix well.
Put milk into Nurse-Maid® pet nursing bottle (found at Wal-Mart) and heat to lukewarm. Test on the inside of your wrist. Be sure to stir the milk in the container each time before you refill the bottle.
Put remaining milk into 8 ounce containers and freeze until needed. Two-week-old kittens will drink about 1/2 ounce every 4 hours. Four-week-old kittens will drink about 1 to 1-1/2 ounces every five hours.
You may substitute store-brand versions of Pedialyte® - just be sure to get an unflavored variety.
* Make sure the baby food does not contain onion powder as onions are harmful to cats.
Be sure to visit our transitional and solid food recipes for kittens - Kitten Food Recipes