Making milk for her kittens is a natural part of a cat’s postpartum care. But occasionally issues occur, and the mother cat may decide not to nurse her kittens at all or not enough. Owners may become concerned about how to properly care for and feed the newborn kittens as a result.
It’s crucial to intervene when the mother isn’t nursing and make sure the kittens are receiving the nourishment they require. You will need to keep a close eye out for clues that the kittens are not getting enough food, like persistent crying or inability to put on weight.
It’s important to know about other feeding options if you find yourself in this situation. To ensure that kittens stay healthy and grow as expected, there are special formulas made just for them that can take the place of their mother’s milk.
| Situation | What to Do |
| Cat is producing milk | Ensure the kittens are nursing well and monitor their growth. Keep the mother well-fed and hydrated. |
| No milk or not enough milk | Use kitten formula and a bottle to feed the kittens every 2-3 hours. Keep them warm and clean. |
| Mother is weak | Provide high-quality, protein-rich food to help her recover and produce milk. |
| Kittens are weak or not feeding | Consult a vet immediately for advice on care and feeding. |
It’s critical to act fast to tend to the kittens if a cat gives birth and doesn’t produce milk. To make sure your kitten gets the nutrition they require, you’ll need to give them a good formula, which you can give them with a syringe or bottle every few hours. Since they depend on their mother for body heat, it’s also critical to keep an eye on their weight and provide them with warmth. See a veterinarian for additional guidance to support the mother and kittens if things don’t get better.
- When does a cat produce milk after giving birth?
- How to understand that there is little or no milk?
- Why cats lose milk?
- Is it possible to stimulate lactation?
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When does a cat produce milk after giving birth?
A cat’s natural response to giving birth is to start producing milk right away. The expectant mother’s nipples enlarge a few days prior to the babies’ birth, and translucent colostrum may be released when pressed. Most of the time, a strong hormonal surge of oxytocin and prolactin stimulates milk production, which starts right after giving birth. The kittens should already be leaking milk from their nipples when they are born because they will naturally start to suckle at their mother’s breast. Colostrum is perfectly fine to be produced through the first day and is ideal for the initial feedings.
If the cat is giving birth for the first time, the milk delivery could be delayed by four to five days. This is frequently seen in artificially bred breeds of animals, as their innate tendencies may be subdued. The mother’s unique qualities, her hormonal background, the health of her nervous system, and the activity level of her kittens all play a significant role in the appearance of milk.
Vigorous and strong babies in search of food begin to actively massage the mother"s breast, stimulating the receptors on the nipples and causing the flow of milk. In the absence of mechanical stimulation of the nipples (for example, when the litter is small or the babies are weak and lifeless, do not try to actively suck), the milk may disappear altogether.
How to understand that there is little or no milk?
Early detection of the mother’s low milk supply and the kittens’ inadequate nourishment is crucial. This will enable the infants to develop into robust, healthy adults. The owner must first attend to the needs of the newborns: persistent squeaking, restlessness, inability to fall asleep after feedings, and persistent nose-poking at the mother are all indications that the kittens are not receiving enough nourishment. After eating well, a baby should go to sleep right away, sometimes even curled up on the mother’s breast.
See also: How many days and how often does a cat ask for a cat when it is coming for the first time and beginning to walk?
If there are too many babies born, there might not be enough milk. Born last, the weakest member of the litter is still hungry and lets out the loudest meow. Cats can be accurately weighed to determine whether they are getting enough milk. A kitten needs to gain 10–15 grams every day. If there isn’t any weight gain after a few days, the baby may be underfed and his or her health is in danger.
When there is no milk available, some cats try to avoid being near their young, biting or running away. Some moms still breastfeed their children, keeping them warm and licking them. In this case, the owner should be informed that kittens who are nursing nonstop do not put on weight and will not stop squealing.
Why cats lose milk?
The nervous and endocrine systems are responsible for the processes of milk production in a cat that has given birth. In rare cases, some kind of failure occurs in the body, as a result of which the milk disappears. Why this happens? The reasons may be as follows:
- Inflammation of the mammary glands (mastitis). Occurs due to mechanical damage to the nipples, fungal infection in the tissues, weak immunity, hypothermia. Accompanied by swelling of the nipples and pain in the chest, an increase in body temperature.
- Postpartum complications. Milk production stops due to inflammatory processes in the uterus (endometritis, pyometra). Treatment by a veterinarian is necessary.
- Retention of the placenta. The placenta remaining in the uterus inhibits the formation of milk secretion and prevents it from entering the gland.
- Hormonal imbalance. Occurs in young cats with too early mating.
- Postpartum stress, suppressing the production of prolactin and oxytocin. Primiparent cats are especially susceptible to stress, experiencing psychological stress from pregnancy and the birth process. The anxiety of the animal intensifies from the noise in the house, bright light, the excessive attention of the host to the offspring.
- Poor nutrition of the mother. Low-calorie and unbalanced food can cause a decrease and even cessation of milk production. The mother"s diet should be complete, rich in vitamins and microelements. Special food for nursing cats is preferable.
Is it possible to stimulate lactation?
How should a cat be treated if its milk supply runs out? You should speak with a veterinarian first. The physician needs to rule out postpartum conditions linked to uterine inflammation and check for mastitis in the breast. The proper course of action will be recommended if these illnesses are identified. In the event that a cat’s veterinarian diagnoses a hormonal condition, oxytocin injections will be recommended.
What should be done if a newly born cat doesn’t have any milk? Once the doctor has ruled out any potentially harmful factors, the owner must prepare a comfortable living space for a mother and her infants. For the sake of the cat family’s safety, you must first put them in a calm, dark corner. The location of the shelter ought to be such that other animals cannot get to it.
For the mother to have the strength to produce milk, proper feeding is essential. A nursing cat requires twice as many calories. Lean meat (chicken, beef, turkey) and fermented dairy products should be a part of the diet.
Certain veggies, particularly carrots and cabbage, as well as prepared cat food meant for nursing, aid in inducing lactation. Given that many females are scared to leave their kittens alone for an extended period of time, and consequently, they stay hungry, a bowl of food should be set up next to the nest. You should include meat broth and other liquid-rich foods in your diet as they help you produce more milk. There should always be a bowl of sanitary drinking water available.
It’s critical to take immediate action if your cat isn’t nursing after giving birth. Given that the kittens are dependent on their mother for nutrition in the early stages of their lives, this situation may put them in danger.
To rule out any maternal health concerns, first speak with your veterinarian. Stress or illness can occasionally stop a woman from producing milk. Your veterinarian can help the mother start making milk by providing guidance or treatment options.
Pet stores sell specially formulated kitten milk replacer, which you can use to feed the kittens in the interim. Steer clear of giving them cow’s milk as it may cause stomach distress. For information on the right feeding amounts and schedule, refer to the milk replacer’s packaging instructions.
Even if the mother isn’t able to make milk at first, you can make sure the kittens grow up strong and healthy with the correct care.
