8 Top Cat Milk Replacers Compared & Reviewed

There are unfortunate cases when a mother cat is not present, willing or able to nurse her kittens. However, don’t think for a second that those little furballs are likely to grow weak and unhealthy. Naturally, it will come to you to provide the extra care and attention that they will need in order to develop healthy bones and a strong immune system. How, you might ask? That’s when we introduce to you the cat milk replacer. This type of product is exactly what kittens need; basically, it comes as a kitten formula – similar to baby formulas which are more familiar to us – so it contains all the necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients needed for your kitten to grow big and healthy. After we scoured the internet, we found that the KMR Liquid Milk Replacer for Kittens may be the best cat milk available for you. It represents the bestseller in the industry and it doesn’t contain artificial flavours or preservatives. It comes at an ideal price to quantity ratio and it will provide the necessary nutrients for your kitten. If this product is not available for some reason, please consider Tailspring Milk Replacer for Kittens.

Best Cat Milk Reviews [Our Favorites]

Finding the right cat milk replacer can take some valuable time and if you don’t have any to spare due to your job or other such time-consuming factors, don’t worry, we got you covered. We got through as many cat milk replacer reviews as we could to get you this list containing the most popular cat milk replacers for sale.

1. KMR Liquid Milk Replacer for Kittens and Cats 

All mammals thrive on the milk supplied by their mammals. However, when you have a kitten that came to you as rejected or as an orphan, you might be looking for some kind of alternative. Even larger kittens might be in the need for some food supplements like milk.

KMR’s Liquid Milk Replacer represents a plentiful diet, packed with minerals and vitamins which will guarantee that your feline buddy will grow and develop properly. The formula that goes into KMR’s product contains much-needed taurine which comes in addition to closely matching the levels of protein and energy from queen’s milk.

The colostrum milk should find its place alongside this amazing product since it will provide temporary immunity against some illnesses and some extra nutrition, so you should feed it to your cat for at least two days. The amount which has to be fed to kittens varies depending on the individual, so make sure you take this into account.

2. Petlac Milk Powder For Kittens

Unfortunately, we live in a world where we can find stranded or orphaned kittens at almost every street corner. However, this kind of misfortune can bring you (and the little buddy) a lifetime of happiness, if you manage to take good enough care of the little fellow.

When you come across a youngling like that you must make sure that he or she will receive the required nourishment. The Milk Powder for kittens coming from Petlac is an excellent food source for newborns and up to 6 weeks old cats.

You can also feed it to your cat even if it is older than six weeks, provided that she needs some additional nutrients to her diet. Petlac’s formula is full of minerals, amino acids and vitamins which are exactly what your little buddy needs in order to grow and develop properly.

Adorable little kittens and thin or older cats will benefit greatly from this product.

3. Cat-Sip Real Milk Treat For Cats And Kittens

There’s a known fact going around the pop culture for the last decades stating that cats really love milk. What you should know is that regular milk (the kind we drink as well) is not suitable for all cats.

However, the market is full of worthy milk replacements and the one in question which we recommend is the Cat-Sip Real Milk Treat. This product is more than capable of delivering the real great taste of low-fat milk which will enable any cat or kitten to digest it easily thanks to its lactose-free formula.

Another huge benefit brought to you by Cat-Sip is its ability to help your little feline buddy to stay hydrated while also being able to promote kidney health. As we already stated, Cat-Sip contains low-fat milk which is also 99% free of lactose.

Last but not least, you’ll be happy to find out that this product will also provide taurine to your cat, a nutrient that is essential for the health of the eyes and heart.

4. PetAg KMR 2nd Step Kitten Weaning Food

If your kitten is able to properly stand on his or her feet and they managed to get able to eat out of a bowl, then it might be time to introduce them to this incredible nutritional goodness. The 2nd Step from PetAg is being targeted to those kittens who entered the weaning phase.

It is represented by transitional cereal in a creamy mixture, ideal for kittens between 4 and 8 weeks old. This product will provide a wholesome diet which will help you introduce your previously nursing kitten to solid food. You will be happy to find out that the recipe has been carefully thought of to follow KMR or mother’s milk.

Among its ingredients, you will find natural milk protein and beef which will more than help in growing your kitten into a strong cat. It also packs in easy-to-use convenience and it is really easy to digest. Also, since it is a powder, you won’t have to occupy your fridge with it.

5. Whiskas Catmilk Plus Drink For Cats And Kittens

This product comes from a well-established brand, renowned all over the world. Whiskas’ Catmilk is a milk replacement formula that will be really easy to be digested by your little pet. Also, it has a really high content of protein in its recipe and what makes it easy to be digested is its 98% reduced lactose.

Since we are talking about cats at the beginning of their lives, we should make sure that they are getting all the good stuff required for their growth. This Catmilk packs some essential nutrients needed by your kittens, such as crude protein and calcium.

You will be happy to find out that Whiskas’ Catmilk is the sort of drink which comes with naturally high levels of calcium which will enable your pet to grow some really healthy bones and teeth. Last but not least, this milk formula contains a real milk flavour which will help your cat to fully enjoy it.

6. Revival Animal Health Breeders’ Edge Foster Care Feline Powdered Milk Replacer

Are you currently on the market for finding a product similar to the KMR milk replacer? Then let us tell you that you definitely found it. Revival Animal Health brings you Breeder’s Edge, a powdered milk replacer ideally designed for feeding kittens or malnourished cats.

This replacement milk formula will allow your kitten to benefit from a balanced and complete diet for the first 35 days of their adorable lives, which is a crucial step in making sure that they will live a long and healthy life. Inside the package, you will come across Bio-Mios, an ingredient which plays a huge role in promoting the growth of good bacteria.

In addition, this interesting ingredient will also boost the immune system so that your little buddy won’t have to deal with nasty bugs. IgY (immunoglobulin Y) is the active agent which will enrich the natural defences towards protecting young cats against diseases.

7. PetLac Milk Powder for Pets

Orphaned or animals who have been rejected seem to have started their lives with a huge disadvantage, right? Not if you are taking care of them the right way. The Milk Powder for Pets coming from PetLac is a recommended food source targeted at exactly this kind of unlucky pets.

Even if you have an older cat that seems too skinny, this milk powder will represent the supplemental feeding that he or she desperately needs. Even human adults have their diet affected by stress or poor food choices, so it’s no wonder that our companions might benefit greatly from these highly digestible nutrients.

Packing in carbohydrates, proteins and a caloric content that is similar to mother’s milk, this formula is exactly what you are looking for. Make sure that your kitten will properly grow and develop through the use of this product’s supply of necessary minerals and vitamins.

8. Beaphar Lactol Pet Feeding Set

Last but not least, let’s end this list with the Lactol Pet Feeding Set from Beaphar. This product comes with a feeding bottle, a cleaning brush and four teats which will prove to be a huge help in feeding your kitten.

What does this pet feeding set bring you? First and foremost, it will guarantee a mess-free environment while also reducing wastage that comes as a result of spillages. Then, you will benefit from its ability to provide an essential nutritional supplement to your newborn or growing kitten.

That’s because the bottle is specially designed for properly feeding newborn (and even growing) kittens. Also, if you have other small animals in your home, like puppies or guinea rabbits, you can use this product for them as well.

Or, if you have a sick or recuperating cat on your hands, help her get proper feeding through the use of Beaphar’s Lactol Pet Feeding Set.

Cat Milk Buying Guide

As we already stated before, finding a good cat milk replacer can prove to be quite tricky if you don’t have the time to invest. Lucky for you, we managed to put together this comprehensive guide which is sure to at least put you on the right track for finding the suitable product.

Giving cats milk replacer – when should you do it?

Cat milk substitute should be provided when kittens don’t have a way to naturally nurse. The reasons why may vary, from downright refusal to nurse to a missing lactating mother cat available for the kitten to nurse on. In most cases, we are talking about orphaned kittens who don’t have another way of getting the required nutrients for their proper development. However, milk replacer is also an excellent solution for pregnant or nursing cats, just to make sure that they remain strong during these ‘ordeals’.

By reading about this solution you will know exactly what you need to do the next time you are dealing with a hungry little newborn kitten. A cat drinking milk is something ingrained into our minds just like we picture a dog chewing a bone. However, there are some things which you have to take into consideration before you actually buy a product. Sit back, relax and allow us to go through said factors worth considering.

Ingredients

As you can imagine, for a cat milk replacer to fully do the job, it has to share ingredients similar to the ones found in the actual substance provided by a mother cat. So, you need to make sure that the product you are interested in comes formulated with a complete and balanced set of proteins, fats and carbs. Besides what we mentioned, the cat milk should also come with additional vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Once you come across such a product you can be sure that it will be capable to provide stabilized nutrients which will guarantee optimum growth for your little companion. The thing with milk replacers is that they are really easy to digest since they are capable to match the mother cats milk in terms of its nourishing profile.

Means of use

If you want to make sure that you are providing your kitten with exactly what it needs, then there are some steps you can take in this direction. First, you can check with your veterinarian to get some advice on how to proceed. Then, take into account your kitten’s weight and make sure that you are preparing enough milk replacer. Most products will come with an enclosed measuring scoop which will help you greatly. 

Then, after you made enough formula, remember to use it within the 24 hour period that guarantees it is safe to use. Overall, if you will follow the exact instructions written on the product’s label, you should be more than fine.

Prepare accordingly

The differences between feeding a kitten and feeding a baby boy or girl aren’t that many. In any case, when a kitten has no mother, it is up to us to help. Any kitten rescuer – amateur or pro – has to acquire an essential skill, and we are talking about bottle feeding. This skill is available for anyone to learn, you just have to pay a little bit of attention at these next tips:

• Get a bottle fitted with a nipple

Purchasing a bottle for this is quite easy, just head to any pet supply or feed store, you can even find them online. The first piece of advice would be to not get a bottle that comes with a previously cut nipple. You need to cut a hole in it by yourself. That’s because that hole should be ample enough so that when you hold it upside down, the milk will be able to slowly drip out of it. However, don’t cut it too big because this might lead to spillage from too much milk being allowed to flow freely.

• Make assessments

Before you feed your kitten, make sure that the little fellow isn’t too cold or overheated. Just gently stabilize their temperature and you’re good. Not being able to swallow or having a cleft palate can result in a risky feeding, so take these into account as well. To make sure they are ok to swallow, drop a bit of formula on their tongue and place a finger on their throat to feel if they are swallowing. If the kitten is ok, you can proceed with the feeding.

• Feed it

The proper form of feeding is like this: you should allow the kitten to rest in a natural, belly-down state – never on his or her back. Keep the head stable and gently insert the nipple into the little fellow’s mouth and slowly invert the bottle with formula. We are sure that you can manage to take care of your feline buddy’s feeding.

Frequently asked questions about cat milk

Is milk bad for cats?

Our popular culture is filled with images of cats lapping up milk, from Tom and Jerry cartoons to various commercials. However, is really safe for cats to drink milk? While for many kitties milk represents a delicacy, you should know that the majority of cats is intolerant to lactose. According to veterinarian expertise, cats don’t have anything to draw from milk, nutrition-wise. You can still view it as a – really – rare treat which you can provide to your well-behaved cat but under no circumstance must you view milk as an everyday food. Another problem with milk is that it packs a lot of calories, so you are best advised to avoid feeding it to your cat in order to not encounter obesity problems.

Can cats drink almond milk?

Let’s say that, generally, the answer to this question is yes, you can feed your cat with almond milk. However, you have to do so in moderation. There are particular reasons why this kind of milk gets a pass. First of all, as you can see from its name, almond milk isn’t a part of the dairy family of products. This translates into no trace of lactose, the stuff towards which the majority of cats is intolerant. Then, when we look at what is inside almond milk we find out that there aren’t any known ingredients which can be toxic to cats. Last but not least, there is a high chance that your cat will love the taste of this stuff, which can turn into a regular treat quite quickly.

What kind of milk can cats drink?

We continue on this subject in hopes that everyone comes out of this a little more careful in regards to the diet of their cats. To put it simply, the straight answer to ‘what kind of milk can cats drink’ is almost none. Sure, we stated before that almond milk has no negative effects on your cat if it is used in moderation, but to be honest, cats don’t need milk. In any case, giving adult cats milk is just an uninspired decision. If you feel the urge of sharing some of your cow and goat’s milk with your feline buddy, please do, but do it in small quantity and at a low frequency.

Why can’t cats drink milk?

Once they exceed the young state of being a kitten, cats have to be on an almost all-meat diet. Domestic ones will get all the required nutrients from almost all commercial food you buy for them, including water. When it comes to milk, it is just not a natural ingredient found in a cat’s diet. They just enjoy the taste, that’s why you don’t see them run away in disgust when there’s milk near them. Although there is some research that shows how cats receive pleasure as they are lapping milk, similar to taking naps or grooming, you should know that their intestines will definitely not be relaxed if they consume milk.

Can a female cat produce milk without being pregnant?

It is quite possible for a cat to produce milk even though she might not be pregnant. When female cats produce milk, known as lactation, while not being pregnant or even being spayed, it is called pseudopregnancy, false pregnancy or false pregnancy. Cats go through the reproductive process slightly different than us, humans. One difference is represented by the fact that a cat starts to ovulate only while she is actually in the mating process. This means that when they aren’t mating and they ovulate – according to experts, this happens to about 25 percent of unspayed cats – they experience pregnancy symptoms, including lactation. 

Why do some cats like milk?

Think about it, when we picture a domestic cat feeding, what is actually going through our minds? Pretty much everyone will imagine a cat lapping milk from a bowl. Cats and milk go together just like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The question is: is it safe for them to drink milk? And if this isn’t the case, why do they do it?

If you would present two bowls to your cat, one filled with milk and one filled with water, then it is a high probability that your cat will go for the one filled with milk. It is a fact that cats love milk. Actually, they love the cream found in milk, that’s why they continue to lap away at that bowl. The creamier the milk is, the more passion will be in your cat’s drinking. 

Cats will always take milk over water because it simply tastes better. However, this doesn’t mean that you should go ahead and do what your cat wants, that is to just fill up their milk bowls on a regular basis. There are plenty of people who are under the impression that their cats will die if they just give them water or if they don’t provide them with milk on a daily basis.

Allow us to tell you that this is just a myth and cats can live perfectly fine and healthy without milk in their diet. Sure, you can reward your little kitten with some milk from time to time, just make sure that this doesn’t happen very often. Since the majority of cats can’t tolerate lactose, it is a high probability that your kitty isn’t an exception. This means that you should resist the urge of feeding milk to your cat and instead you can opt for a milk replacer.

What do milk substitutes contain?

Since we arrived at this subject – of giving milk replacer to a cat instead of regular milk – what is exactly inside these milk substitutes? Well, let us start from the beginning. It is important to know that for the first month of their life – from 3 to 4 weeks – kittens usually survive drinking on their mother’s milk, which contains just the right mixture of nutrients, fats and proteins required for the little kitties to grown into veritable felines.

When we are introduced to an orphaned kitten or we would like to start the weaning process we should get the right milk substitute for our beloved pet. As you might think, a veritable milk replacer should contain almost all ingredients found in the cat mother’s milk and in the right mixture. 

Cat milk usually contains 10.8 percent fat, 10.6 percent protein and 3.7 percent carbs, according to a study performed at the University of Illinois. This puts cat milk at a higher level than even humans in each category, except sugar – cats are lowest at this category. You can find plenty of replacements that will likely reflect this composition, however, we mustn’t delude ourselves thinking that we can find something that can completely replace mother’s milk.

There are some risks associated with milk substitutes and this might include: small cataracts caused by deficiencies in amino acids or vitamins – these can result after weaning as well; another risk is represented by a slower growth rate due to the lack of enzymes which work in fat digestion.

Moving on, another crucial factor in deciding what to feed your kitten can be found on the label of your desired product. That’s because there are some products designed to work as total replacements for mother’s milk, while others are just meant to be supplements to your cat’s diet. Important ingredients which you might want in your product are represented by colostrum, which is a mammary gland secretion high in proteins, being crucial for the proper development of the immune system, and also taurine, a crucial amino acid meant to coordinate ideal heart and eye development.

When it comes to the form in which milk replacement comes, you can select between powders and liquids. Once you open a package containing milk replacer formula you need to refrigerate it in order for it to not become spoiled, but you must remember to warm it up before you feed it to your cat. If you are still not sure about which product to get for your cat or if you are wondering if puppy formula will work, you can always check with a vet before taking any further steps. Also, don’t use regular cow’s milk for feeding cats, since most are intolerant to lactose

Facts about lactose intolerance in cats

We bombarded you with the fact that the majority of cats is intolerant to lactose and we are sorry if we seemed repetitive. We have our own reasons for that and they are intended to help you understand your cat better. Allow us to show you a few facts regarding lactose intolerance in cats.

Symptoms

First of all, you should know the signs that might show your cat’s intolerance to lactose. Naturally, we recommend that you check with your vet if this proves to be true or not. What we can definitely tell you is that milk consumption might cause a high level of distress on the digestive system of your kitty.

Signs to look for include: bloating, dry gums, excessive gas, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, increased thirst, dehydration. If you notice any of these, check with your vet to find out the exact reasons why this is happening.

What causes lactose intolerance?

When it comes to this affliction, you definitely have to ‘blame’ the genetic structure of cats. That’s because milk isn’t found in the usual diet of an adult cat. Being inappropriate for felines, your kitty doesn’t have the enzymes required to break down milk components. Some cats are more affected than others by consumption of dairy products, depending on the number of lactase enzymes found inside their digestive tract.

How to treat it?

The long-term treatment would be to just completely eliminate milk and dairy products in general from your pet’s diet. For the short term symptom alleviation, however, which means to put the brakes on the amount of suffering that your cat goes through, you may have to use some means of treatment.

Let’s say that your cat became severely dehydrated as a result of vomiting or expelling diarrhea for prolonged periods of time. In this case, you may have to resort to replacing bodily fluids intravenously. Of course, your cat will have to be hospitalized for this process to occur.