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Is metronidazole in mom cat's milk safe for nursing kittens?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | unspayed | 2 years and 2 months old

My nursing mother was given metronidazole. Is it safe for her 5 1/2 week old kittens to nurse?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

Veterinarian

Published on October 1st, 2017

It depends if Lilly is still feeding the kittens. When prescribing antibiotics to a pregnant or lactating cat it is very important to be aware of the potential side- effect that the antibiotic may have on the kittens. Metronidazole is transmitted into mum's milk therefore is generally not recommended for lacating cats. However, there are some occasions when the benefit for the mum is higher then the risk for the kittens. Please, get in touch with your vet to discuss why Lilly was prescibed this antibiotic. If Lilly is not feeding the kittens anymore, obviously she will be ok to take a course of metronidazole.

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