What to do if the cat doesn't feed her kittens

How to understand what is wrong with a cat and why she refuses to feed her kittens? It is important to understand that cats very rarely refuse kittens because they have highly developed instincts to care for their offspring. You can understand the reasons by observing the young mother.

A cat does not want to take care of her newborn kittens. What to do?

She gave birth to four of them. Small as mice. Carried them here and there, after one night two of them died, she does not feed the others. The year before, she gave birth and raised two beautiful kittens. I don't understand her behavior. Explain.

There are several reasons why a cat refuses to feed her kittens. Poor physical health after giving birth. Psychological trauma. Don't be surprised, it's rare, but it happens too. Discomfortable conditions for the nest – uncomfortable, unsafe from the cat's point of view, its location. The presence of other animals in the apartment: the cat may perceive them as a threat to the existence of her offspring. After anesthesia (e.g., cesarean section), the cat's milk does not come.
Orphan will need a special cat milk substitute, a feeding horn with rubber nozzles, warmers. Also, if the cat for some reason refuses to feed her kittens, try to find a replacement, another cat that has just given birth and will feed the abandoned litter. If you can't find such a replacement, you will have to take over all maternal duties.
So, for the first 2 weeks, you should feed the babies every 2 hours during the day and night.
From 2 to 3 weeks – every 2 hours from 6 to 24 hours and once at night.
From 3 to 4 weeks – every 3 hours from 6 to 24 hours.
Cat milk substitutes are now available. These are milk mixtures, similar in appearance and preparation to baby milk, but their composition is similar to that of natural cat's milk.

It is not the cat's behavior that needs to be explained, but the kittens need to be saved. The cat may simply not have milk, or the maternal instinct did not appear, or something she does not like. If you want to take up nursing kittens, buy in a pet store cat milk substitute, bottle and go – every one and a half to two hours (depending on how much they eat), day and night. If the cat won't lick them, they need to do it with soaked absorbent cotton in warm water, so they can pee and poop. If you don't want to bother, call a vet and have them put to sleep. The rescue counts in hours, such small ones quickly become weak and dehydration begins.

First Feeding

From the age of 3 weeks, kittens are offered "adult" food. To avoid overloading the digestive tract, do it very carefully and gradually.

They give unfamiliar food little by little, starting with feeding once a day and increasing the amount to 3 times a day in 7-10 days.

Home Feeding

Small pets can be started with natural protein foods. The most suitable ones would be:

1. Chopped veal. To obtain scraped meat, the meat, frozen for 24-48 hours, is chopped with a knife on a cutting board to form lamellar slices. The initial size of the meat portion is commensurate with the size of a pea.
2. Baby meat puree in small jars.
3. Liquid well-cooked porridge (rice and oatmeal).
4. Cream with a fat content of 9-10%.
5. Fresh nonfat cottage cheese without additives.

Industrial diets

Special dry and canned foods are designed for young kittens in the 1st growth phase and provide a successful transition from dairy to adult food. They contain proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals that provide for the proper development of the kitten, but do not burden the unformed digestive system.

According to breeders, the leader in this area is Royal Canin Babycat 34.

Its small pieces have a delicate texture, swell quickly in water and turn into a nutritious mush.

Also see video on how to feed a newborn kitten without a cat:

Rules for feeding kittens at 3 weeks of age

Raising infant kittens primarily comes down to strict adherence to feeding routines. The tiny stomach is not capable of digesting a large portion, and the delicate intestines cannot digest coarse food. For babies to grow up healthy and strong, the owner should follow a number of rules:

1. Feed the babies 6 times a day, with a break at night for 5 hours.
2. If kittens have enough to eat, they will sleep peacefully most of the time, while hungry babies are restless and whiny. They crawl around all the time looking for food and, if they catch a human finger, will try to suck it.
3. All food for babies should be exclusively fresh: a new portion is prepared each time from powdered milk substitute, and natural milk formula is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 48 hours.
4. Basic milk food kittens receive from a bottle with a nipple or through a pipette with a hole put on a syringe.
5. The first mushy complement is given from the fingers. But if the baby himself does not want to try the proposed dish, you need to gently open his mouth and smear a small amount of warm mashed potatoes on the palate. The procedure is repeated until the babies get used to the taste of the new food.
6. Gradually, kittens are taught to eat from a bowl. We recommend using porcelain or metal utensils, because cheap plastic has an unpleasant smell and can react chemically with the food.
7. All pacifiers, bottles and bowls should be thoroughly washed and dried after use.
8. To ensure that the kitten's bowels are emptied regularly, after each feeding do a circular massage of the tummy.
9. If stools are delayed for more than 3 days, it is recommended to give the kitten baby Dufalak as a mild laxative.
10. With liquid stools before each feeding, babies are given Bifidumbacterin diluted in water, or some other pharmacy product containing bifidobacteria.

What to do to save the kittens?

How to get the cat to start feeding the cubs?

Before taking any action, you should first find out the reasons for the premature weaning of kittens from breastfeeding. To do this, it is recommended to call a veterinarian at home for a thorough examination and preliminary diagnosis. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe treatment to help eliminate the problem.

If the cat does not show aggression towards the newborns, it is advisable to lay them in a box with the litter so that each kitten has free access to the teats. If the milk is not lost, the babies will be fed. So that the cat stays in the nest and does not leave without feeding the cubs, you need to pet her all the time, talk to her, calm her down.

You should not just pick up a newly born kitten. A cat or other pets should not be allowed to climb into the nest and disturb the mother with the babies. If the cat refuses to feed the kitten because of a strange smell, it is advisable to drop some mother's milk on the baby and put it under the cat's nose. Often the animal will begin to lick the cub, mistaking it for its own.

Some cat breeders advise to coat the kitten with sour cream or cream, so that the mother will lick it. However, you should not do this. That the event will end with success, no one can guarantee, but to aggravate the situation is quite possible, so it is dangerous to take such a risk.

How to feed without a cat?

If you can't get the new mother to feed her newborn cubs or if the worst happens, the cat is lost, the owner has to take urgent measures to feed the cubs and prevent them from starving to death. The first option is to find an experienced cat who has also recently had kittens, and try to give her your kitten. It is important to monitor the animal's behavior, because they often show aggression to strangers, even if they are much smaller and weaker. The native kittens of the feeder cat can also harm the foundlings. This is why it is important to monitor the situation carefully and not to let it go on its own.

The cat does not want to feed the kittens – what to do?

The task of the owner in this case is not to scold the animal, but to try to calm it down as much as possible and help the kittens to survive.

Until the moment of possible rejection of the cat's offspring, measures should be taken. A warm and quiet place should be prepared for the future delivery of the cat. The cat should receive quality nutritious food while carrying kittens. Once the cat has given birth to her babies, they should not be picked up unnecessarily. No other animals or people should have access to the cat.

What the owner should do if the cat refuses to feed its kittens

If the cat refuses to feed her babies, you should go to a veterinary clinic and consult with a specialist.

If the animal is clinically healthy, but refuses to feed her offspring, you should try to calm the female and prepare a more comfortable place for the litter and mother. Next to the makeshift "nest" you should place a bowl for food and water, as well as a litter tray.

A good solution would be to show your pet to the vet by calling him to the house. The owner should take care of the kittens. It is worth remembering that it is forbidden to pick up babies with unwashed hands. The immune system of newborn kittens is weakened. Contact with human hands can lead to serious infections that are difficult for them to cope with. It is recommended that the temperature in the nest be constantly measured to keep the babies warm. Kittens that have been abandoned by the cat should be warmed artificially. This can be done by placing a warm heating pad under the diaper with the babies. The place where the abandoned kittens are should be protected from bright light and drafts.

The owner should give the kittens gentle abdominal massage to improve defecation and urination. After feeding, the area under the tails should be wiped with cotton swabs pre-moistened in warm water.

For the first 5-6 weeks, kittens should gain weight quickly – 30 grams per day. Therefore, it is necessary to weigh them regularly and record the results. The first 2 weeks are indicative of weight gain. The weight of newborns should double.

For feeding kittens, it is better to use special milk formula KMR, which are cat milk substitutes. But the use of infant formula and cow's milk should be avoided. In terms of nutrition, these substances are not suitable for babies, and can provoke serious health problems.

A bottle or dropper should be used for feeding. Feedings should be every 2 hours. The formula should be diluted according to the calculation given on the package. Ask your veterinarian about the proper way to increase the dosage of the food.

Cat feeding kittens

The task of the owner is to monitor the process of feeding kittens, their behavior and condition. This will allow you to detect a lack of milk and properly organize the feeding. It is recommended to contact a qualified veterinarian, who will help diagnose possible problems and make recommendations for their elimination.

After a cat's milk deficiency has been detected, it is necessary to start feeding the babies immediately. Kittens' metabolic processes are unusually fast, so malnutrition has a negative effect on their condition in the very first days.

If a cat does not feed her offspring, special formula must be taken care of. Whole cow's milk is not recommended for supplementation. It is too fatty and is not absorbed by the kittens in the right amount. In addition, there is the risk of digestive disorders.

Cat's milk can be replaced by whole fresh goat's milk or by mixtures intended for supplementary feeding of puppies. Breeders use baby formula for artificial feeding of kittens, but it should be pre-diluted in the ratio of 1:1.5, since the concentration for human babies is not suitable for kittens.

• warm the formula to 38 degrees before feeding;
• do not store ready-made formula for more than 4 hours;
• keep bottles and nipples clean (to prevent dangerous infections);
• feed after the mother's nipple suckling process.

Weak kittens have a poor sucking reflex, it is difficult for them to get their own milk. It is advisable to put the babies on the last pair of milk pouches of the cat, since there is always more milk in them. Be sure to weigh the kittens regularly to determine weight gain.

When feeding orphaned kittens left without a mother or those that the cat refused to feed, the owner should follow basic rules:

It is necessary to closely monitor the condition of the babies, regularly conducting massages of the tummy, normalizing the digestive tract. It is important to consult with a veterinarian about changes in the condition of the animals.

About the transition to solid food

Newborn kittens receive their first nutrients from colostrum, the cat's first born milk. Colostrum contains a large amount of specific immunoglobulins that stimulate the body's defenses. As a rule, under normal conditions, cats feed their cubs up to 1.5 – 2 months of age. But, from as early as 4 weeks of age, you can try adding solid adult food to the milk diet.

By the time the cat stops feeding the kittens, they should be ready to feed themselves. It is recommended to choose high-quality wet food with a balanced composition, enriched with vitamin and mineral complexes, necessary for growth and development in a certain period.

Solid foods for kittens should obligatory contain polyunsaturated fatty acids – Omega-3 and Omega-6 for normal development of the brain, nervous system and vision, as well as phosphorus and calcium for bone development.

When kittens reach the age of 2 months, solid dry food prevails in the kitten's diet, completely replacing the mother's milk. This period is the most dangerous because the kitten's body is susceptible to various kinds of infections, due to the lack of normal immune defense.

The diet then consists of dry pelleted food or natural food, depending on what the owner of the animal chooses to eat.

With a natural diet, the kitten's diet should be chosen as balanced as possible, and only high-quality meat of non-fatty varieties (poultry, rabbit), vegetables and cereals are used in the preparation process. It is not desirable to give small kittens fish, especially fresh and river fish.

It can provoke not only irritation of the digestive tract, but also cause serious helminth infections. Sea fish contains large amounts of phosphorus, which is also not desirable for the developing young body and can provoke the development of urolithiasis.

Agalactia

It happens that the mother does not have milk. This phenomenon is called "agalactia. There are many reasons for this, from mastitis to hormonal abnormalities that lead to agalactia. However, in such cases, the cat does not always and not immediately refuse kittens. To learn about the lack of milk is not difficult:

If the owner does not discern these signs within a few hours, the kittens will surely die of dehydration and starvation. As for the prospects for kittens, it all depends on the root cause of the lack of milk. If the cause is stress, chances are that milk will come back. In other cases, however, there is little hope for it, and one must either look for a nursing mother for the kittens, or breastfeed the babies themselves.

Mastitis

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland tissue. There are many possible causes of the disease, but the result is always the same – severe pain, increased general and local body temperature, and refusal to feed kittens. You can guess about the presence of mastitis by the following signs:

• The mammary glands are hot and swollen.
• The cat does not refuse the kittens, but when trying to suckle the babies, she begins to meow loudly, snorting, growling, and leaves the box.
• In severe cases, you can see exudate coming out of the nipples instead of milk.

With any suspicion of mastitis, kittens are immediately removed from the cat and fed artificially! Even if the cat does not refuse to feed her offspring, the consumption of mastitis milk by the kittens will not end well! If the kittens have already suckled, they will certainly have to be treated (diarrhea and dehydration are possible).

Rules for nursing motherless kittens

If newborn kittens are left alone and their mother has left, become seriously ill or died, you must feed them yourself. Before this, special equipment should be prepared.

What newborn babies will need

• A source of warmth. Kittens need a special nest temperature. It is maintained at 38 degrees. You can use a special medical electric heating pad or hot water bottles wrapped in a towel. On top of the box, in which there are babies, cover with a warm shawl or plaid.

• Feeding formula. It is better to use special ready-made formula for feeding such babies. They can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy or an online pet store. Do not use whole cow's milk for this purpose, as it differs significantly from cat milk in composition and can cause diarrhea in babies.

Feeding regimen

• In the first 7 days after birth, babies are fed up to 12 times a day, including at night. These babies are fed 1.5 teaspoons of formula.

• By 2 weeks, the feeding regime changes and the number of meals is reduced to 6. A 2-week-old kitten eats about 3 teaspoons of formula at a time.

• At 3 weeks, kittens eat 3-4 times a day. The amount of formula consumed at a time -1-2 tbsp. At this age, babies begin to be fed other foods. You can use minced meat or finely chopped lean meat (chicken, turkey, veal, rabbit). Instead of meat, you can give babies soft cottage cheese.

• By 5 weeks, kittens are transferred to three meals a day. At this age, babies eat formula (3-4 tbsp. at a time) and additional supplementation in the form of meat and dairy products.

• At 6 weeks, the amount of formula is increased to 5 tablespoons.

Cat milk substitutes and kitten formula

Many cat owners believe that small kittens can only be fed with cow's milk, but this opinion is mistaken. Such a product will give the babies diarrhea, and they will not grow well. As a basic diet for newborn kittens, special milk replacers and formula should be chosen.

The following commercially available cat milk substitutes are available:

• Beaphar (beaphar) Kitty Milk. The product is manufactured in the Netherlands. Dry powder is diluted in warm water in the following proportion: 7 grams of mixture for 50 grams of liquid. The resulting product can be stored in the refrigerator for 8 hours. Before the next feeding it is heated to 40 degrees. The average cost of a milk replacer is 800-1200r. per 200 gr. can.

• Gimpet (Gimpet) Cat-Milk with added taurine. The producer of this product is Germany. Composition of the substitute Gimpet and cat milk are almost identical. The powder is dissolved in hot water at a ratio of 1 tbsp. mixture to 3 tbsp. liquid. The average price of a can of 200 grams is 700-900r.

• Royal Canin Babycat Milk. This product is made in France. 10 grams of powder are dissolved in 20 ml of warm water. The resulting mixture should be fed to babies for 60 minutes. The price of a package weighing 300 grams varies from 900 to 1300r.

Baby formula for kittens

Baby milk formula for kittens can be used only if it is not possible to buy a full-fledged substitute for cat's milk. When choosing carefully examine the composition of the product: it must be free of sugar.

IMPORTANT: choose a formula designed to feed children from birth, not from 2-3 months of age. Various fruit, honey and other additives, which may be included in the composition, are forbidden for kittens.

What should you do if your cat gives birth to a kitten and won't go near it or feed it?

■20% sugar free condensed milk (1 part water to 5 parts condensed milk)
Bone meal 1 teaspoon per 1 liter of milk
Stir until lumps disappear.
Strain and cool to a temperature of 36-38 degrees Celsius.

■200 ml. milk
2 egg yolks
1 tsp. vegetable oil
A dash of vitamins (Trivitus or Tertravitus)
Mixture for weakened kittens

Tip of a knife
1/2 teaspoon unrefined vegetable oil
Tetravet (0.1 to 0.3 ml as needed)
You can also add 2 scoops of Nutrilon Sour Milk baby formula
The recipe is designed for several doses. Milk, glucose and egg yolk can be mixed immediately and kept in the refrigerator (no more than 24 hours). Just before feeding, Vetom, Tetravit, Nutrilon and oil are added to half of the mixture). The mixture is strained through a sieve and heated in warm water to a temperature of 36-38 degrees.

Scott's formula (ingredients per 1kg of your baby's body weight, so look carefully at the table below)

Whole cow's milk 50 g
whole milk powder 15 g
Dry yeast 3 g
Chicken egg 50g
Whipped egg white 50 g
Vegetable oil 1g
glucose 4 g
Mix everything thoroughly until homogeneous and warm up to 38°C.

Whole cow's milk 25 g
Whole milk powder 5 g
2 g glucose
Vitamin additives 1 g
Mix everything thoroughly until homogeneous and warm up to 38° C.

Calculation of the required amount of formula for nursing
If you buy a special mixture in pet stores, detailed instructions on how to prepare and feed it are attached to each package.
Basic rules for feeding kittens correctly
Kittens should lie on their stomachs when feeding
Make sure that the mix is freshly dispensed and – if it is allowed to be stored for 24 hours at the most and always in the refrigerator
Whatever you use to feed your kittens (bottles, syringes, droppers) the container must be sterilized by boiling for 5 to 15 minutes
Wash your hands with soap and water before each feeding to avoid upsetting the stomach
Do not use the microwave oven to heat the mixture
Check the temperature of the formula before giving it by putting a few drops on your wrist (it should be warm, not hot)
If the kitten does not grasp the nipple instinctively open its mouth gently with two fingers and put the nipple on it, then pour some mixture on the kitten's lips
If the kitten does not want to start eating on its own then caress its back or forehead to stimulate it
Do not exert pressure on the bottle, so that the kitten sucks more quickly and better at a 45-degree angle
The frequency of feeding depends on the age of the baby, so that at the age of less than 2 weeks you will need to feed every 2-3 hours, at the age of 2-4 weeks – every 4-6 hours, and older cats from 4 weeks up to the time of weaning require feeding every 6-8 hours
To know if your kitten is full or not, pay attention to her behavior. A well-fed baby may turn away from the dropper/pacifier, purrs and falls asleep peacefully, while a hungry one will seek out the pacifier and squeak
After feeding the kitten should be held upright to regurgitate and the back and tummy should be petted first
After each meal the kitten should defecate. You can stimulate the urination process by rubbing the tummy

Milk substitutes and formula for motherless kittens

Milk substitutes and formula can be used to nurse kittens. Lately veterinarians do not recommend using homemade formula together, as there is a high chance of errors in dosing and preparation.

Regardless of the formula you use, you need to make a daily ration of food based on the weight of the kitten:

• From birth to 7 days – 30 ml per 100 grams of body weight.
• From 7 to 14 days – 35 ml per 100 grams of body weight.
• From 14 to 21 days – 40 ml per 100 grams of body weight.
• From 21 to 28 days – 45-48 ml per 100 grams of body weight. body weight.
• From day 28 – at least 50-53 ml per 100 grams of body weight.

Important: If the kitten has difficulty swallowing or looks too weak, dehydration is most likely the cause. The problem can be corrected by using a small amount of Rehydration Drink solution to dilute the milk formula.

Industrial cat milk substitutes

Industrial cat milk replacers are considered the optimal product for artificial feeding of kittens. Protein and fat content needs of kittens are taken into account in the production of milk replacers.

Common brands of industrial cat milk substitutes, are:

Please note! Young kittens may be allergic to artificial cat milk substitutes. Regularly inspect exposed skin for redness and irritation. Dermatitis are the first symptoms of food allergies.

Baby milk formula for kittens

When it is impossible to buy a commercial cat milk substitute, baby milk formula for kittens is used:

Scott's Kitten Milk Blend.

You can make cat milk replacer at home. Scott's kitten formula recipe:

Vitamins and supplements for motherless kittens

If the kitten is active and not stunted in growth and development, vitamins and supplements can be added to the mixture. It is best to consult your veterinarian regarding the choice of vitamins.

When kittens begin to open their eyes you should try to accustom them to eating on their own. Feeding kittens for puppies is important to keep them well nourished so that the body can form properly.

When to start feeding

If you don't know when to start feeding a puppy, you need to be guided by its development. Even before their eyes are fully open, kittens begin to come out of the nest and explore the world.

As soon as you notice that the kitten is responding to the smells of food, start offering feedings.

Please note! If kittens develop in time, they are ready for feeding at 3-4 weeks of age.

What to feed kittens without a mother

At 4 weeks of age and older, kittens should actively expect to feed. What to feed the baby kittens? Focus on the standard ration, but introduce products gradually and monitor the reaction of the body. If within three days of using the new product the kitten has not had diarrhea or allergic reactions, it is fixed in the diet.

Pates for weakened kittens are very nutritious and have an attractive smell, so babies are eager to eat them. However, pate is a specific product that should not be introduced into the diet on a regular basis. Even one-month-old kittens can gain excess weight by eating too much caloric food, and this is fraught with improper heart muscle development.