Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My pregnant cat has no milk for an orphan kitten, what to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

I have an orphan kitten and my cat is pregnant I tried to make her feed the kitten but her nipples don't have a sign of milk and the kitten don't want to get fed with A bottle or other what should I do

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 6th, 2020

Your cat may not be far along enough yet to produce milk. I'm not sure how old this kitten is, but it may be old enough to start on a kitten food gruel. I'd have him seen by a vet now to get an age and help getting it fed. Best of luck.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello my cat gave birth to 4little ones 3days ago, 3 of them died today morning ! She refuses to feed them please help what can I do to save the little cat left
You should probably separate him from the mother, you will need to buy kitten milk replacer (you can get it from any pet shop) and feed him every 2 hours during daytime and every 4 hours at night. you will also need to keep him warm, especially at nighttime.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
Can my pregnant cat take care of her sister’s kitten? My cat had too many kittens and is not a good mom, so cpuld I introduce the kitten to the pregnant cat? I don’t know if a pregnant cat produces milk or not.
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! I wouldn't introduce the kittens to the pregnant cat until her kittens are born. Most cats do not produce milk until 1-7 days before birth and it wouldn't be enough. I would bottle feed the other cats kittens until the others are born. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a foster kitten who I think is maybe 3 weeks old who is nursing off my momma cat that's not her momma. My question is will she get enough milk from her? She looks so frail and tiny. Should I take her to the vet?
She does look underweight, when was the cat she is nursing from pregnant? the milk will be sufficient only if the cat she is nursing from gave birth in the past few weeks, if not then you must feed her with kitten milk replacer which you can get from the pet shop.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 3-4 week old kitty won't eat anything, neither will it drink.. her mother has left her after she was 2 weeks old. I tried warm milk, some meat (very squishy meat) and she doesn't want to eat or drink still... Help?
A 3 or 4 week old kitten is not quite ready to be weaned onto solid foods yet, so you will need to get kitten milk replacer and a bottle to try to feed her. If she is very dehydrated or sick, she may need to be evaluated by a veterinarian, who can show you how to properly tube feed so that she gets the hydration and nutrition she needs. You will also need to stimulate her bowel and urinary movements. Here is a good article on raising orphan kittens: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=576
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat is not producing milk for her three kittens she delivered yesterday. Her "nipples" are not poking out like usual. Is there someway to help this?
once the kitten will start suckling milk production should start to occur, you should wait at least a couple days, if you do not see any change and it seems like the kitten are not getting milk from her, you will have to buy kitten replacer milk at the pet shop and feed them with a bottle.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My Siamese cat just gave birth today she has two little kittens,I was surprised because one of them is completely white and the other completely black ! I have a white male and a grey male.Anyways the kitties are too small than the ordinary kittens s
Make sure the kittens stay warm. If they are not nursing well or she is not producing milk then you can bottle feed them to help. She should be fed kitten food as it has more calories and nutrients to help her keep her weight up and produce enough milk
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
My Cat given birth to 4 kitten one month before, now this days she is not eating enough as she was before months. Stil she is feeding her kitten well but some time she got irritated with them while feeding to them. So my question is what food I nee
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Goldie. Being so young will place a huge strain on her body. She is trying to support kittens while she herself is still growing. She needs to eat a high quality kitten food. Dry and wet food should be offered. The canned food will provide her with more moisture. This helps to support milk production. Most kittens can start eating solid food between 3-5 weeks of age. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How to save a premature born kitten? another kitten dead at pregnancy time.
Unfortunately this is really hard to do. You want to make sure the kitten is warm and body temperature never gets cold. I would recommend taking the kitten to a vet so they can show you how to place a feeding tube and start feeding a kitten milk supplement. It is very important that the kitten gets colostrum with in 24 hours. Colostrum has antibodies in it to help support the kitten.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
Hi doctor, Two kittens are there in my home of two days age their mother went to somewhere else and she dint come back. Kittens are screaming. Which is food is suggestable for these two day kittens. I used to feed diluted milk by using syringe. Plea
I am sorry to hear about your kittens! A commercially formulated kitten milk, such as KMR or Just Born are the best milk sources for your kitten and can be found at many pet stores or vet offices. Until you find this you can make your own milk at home following the recipe listed in this article, which also provides details on caring for orphaned kittens https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951456
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
I found a kitten and I don't have anything to fees her, I feel like she is so hungry that's why she is always crying please give me a solution... I have only fed her cow's milk, and I feel she is not too healthy but the problem is I can't take her to
You can get kitten formula and bottles or feeding nipples and syringes at WalMart or any pet store or feed store. Get some canned kitten food and dry food too. Depending on how old she is she may be ready to try solid food, but cow's milk is not the right kind for kittens and will cause diarrhea. Try some formula first, then if she seems interested in something more substantial, mix some formula with the wet kitten food and mash it into a gruel and let her lap it. She'll get messy, just keep her clean with a damp washcloth and warm water and make sure she stays warm. Offer her water in a saucer or very shallow dish or lid so she can reach it but not fall in. If you have trouble getting her to eat or feel overwhelmed by trying to feed her, please contact a local shelter or veterinary clinic and ask if anyone can give you some tips or if they know someone with experience raising kittens that can take her. YouTube has very helpful videos concerning orphaned kitten care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Cat Food Kitten Formula & Milk Replacer Cat Supplies Wet Cat Food Kitten Food Canned Cat Food Grain Free Cat Food Cat Food with Grain High Protein Cat Food Veterinary Diet Cat Food PetAg Kitten Formula & Milk Replacer Tiki Cat Kitten Formula & Milk Replacer KMR Kitten Formula & Milk Replacer Baby Kitten Food PetLac Kitten Formula & Milk Replacer PetAg Kitten Food KMR Kitten Food Baby Cat Food Purina Kitten Chow KMR Cat Food
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored