The 6 Best Kitten Formulas for When You Really Have to Be a “Cat Mom”

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• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

If you have a newborn kitten who’s been lost or separated from their mother, you’ll find out what it really means to be a “cat mom.” You’ll be cleaning the kitten and keeping them warm, as well as providing the essential nutrients found in mother cats’ milk. While raising a kitten is both a heart-warming and challenging few weeks, we’re here to help you with a guide to the best kitten formula for your little friend. We’ve also included a kitten nursing kit with the bottle and nipples you’ll need.

What Does Your Newborn Kitten Need?

The excellent University of Wisconsin online guidebook for raising underage kittens outlines the tasks involved in caring for orphaned kittens. These include providing warmth, nutrition, stimulation for urinating and defecating, and cleaning. You’ll even need to weigh your kitten daily to make sure they’re gaining weight.

Warmth comes first because tiny kittens can’t even digest if they aren’t warm. If kittens are under two weeks of age, you’ll be feeding them kitten formula (also called “kitten milk”) every two hours. Once they are two weeks old, you can feed formula every three to four hours when they are awake. Check the online guidebook for full details on how to encourage kittens to feed—it even includes a video showing how to position newborn kittens while feeding them (they should be leaning forward as they suckle).

What Is Kitten Formula?

Kitten formula (also known as milk replacer) comes as close as possible to the milk a kitten would get from its own mom. A kitten formula (powdered and mixed with water) contains all the nutrients a kitten needs in the first month of life. Using a formula is essential—experts emphasize that you should never give a kitten plain cow’s milk.

The Best Kitten Formula

PetAg KMR Kitten Milk Replacer Powder

KMR is the go-to kitten milk replacer product for many cat rescue organizations dealing with newborn kittens that have lost their mothers. It also serves as a high-protein supplement for post-weaned kittens, stressed cats, and senior cats. The formula includes vitamins, minerals, and trace nutrients that cats require, including taurine. Once mixed with warm water, refrigerated KMR formula can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours (warm any portion you want to serve to kittens).

PetAg KMR Kitten Milk Replacer Liquid

This KMR kitten milk replacer, used by many cat rescue organizations, comes in convenient liquid form rather than powder you have to mix. It’s a complete high-protein diet for newborn kittens with the vitamins, minerals, and trace nutrients that cats require, including taurine. (It can also be used as a diet supplement for stressed cats, post-weaned kittens, and senior cats.) Once the can is opened, it should be used within 72 hours.

Thomas Labs Goatalac Goat Milk Powder Kitten Supplement

Designed for both kittens and puppies, Goatalac contains goat milk as well as cow milk. It can be mixed in advance, stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, and warmed to room temperature prior to feeding. Available in a 12-ounce jar or a 4-pound bottle. Note that it does not include taurine, a nutrient recommended for kittens.

Hartz Kitten Powdered Formula

This easy-to-mix powdered formula is formulated with calcium for healthy bone growth, magnesium for heart health, plus taurine, vitamins, antioxidants, and omegas. It can also be given to nursing and senior cats requiring additional calories and nutrients.

21st Century Essential Pet Milk Replacer for Kittens

This milk replacer for kittens, pregnant cats, and nursing cats contains essential milk proteins along with vitamins, minerals, taurine, and colostrum. Mix the powder with warm water and then gently warm (not in the microwave) to room temperature.

Wysong Mother’s Milk Kitten Formula

This powdered supplement mimics the delicate balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients that kittens and puppies usually get from their mothers’ milk. Mix the powder with water to create kitten formula, or sprinkle it onto the food of senior or other cats in need of extra nutrition.

PetAg Complete Nursing Kit

This nursing kit includes a two-ounce bottle, a set of nipples, and a brush for bottle cleaning between feedings. It enables your newborn kitten to experience feeding much as if they were being fed by their mother, and enables you to keep track of how much formula they’re consuming. (Note: You must cut the tip of the nipple to provide the correct size hole for your kitten). The brush and nipples can be sterilized in boiling water.

Further Reading

• The Best Kitten Food for Lotsa Purrs and Great Health
• How to Survive the First 24 Hours with Your New Kitten
• How To Introduce a New Cat to Your Resident Cat