Our Favorite Milk Replacement for Kittens Is Nutritious and Safe (2024)

Updated on 02/27/24

Our Top Picks

PetAg KMR Powder is considered the gold standard when it comes to kitten formula, and it’s one of the few that is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Young cats on this kitten milk replacement can thrive. Caring for a small kitten can be overwhelming, and having a high-quality, shelf-stable product with easy instructions on how much and how often to feed your new furbaby can be an invaluable comfort. This product is made from cow’s milk but is designed to mimic cat’s milk as closely as possible, providing developing newborn kittens and kittens up to six weeks old with the vital nutrients and calories to grow healthily.

Preparation only requires a bit of hot water, though it can be frustrating when the powder doesn’t dissolve and the clumps can clog the bottle nipple. Unused portions can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours, just be sure to rewarm before serving, making it convenient to keep on hand for fostering or to buy in bulk. An unopened container will stay shelf stable for up to a year and last for two months on the shelf after opening. You can prolong the life to three months by storing in the fridge or up to six by keeping it in the freezer. For comparison, the liquid version must be stored in the fridge after opening and used entirely within 72 hours after opening.

This product also doubles as a calorie and nutritional supplement for sick, malnourished, or lactating adult or senior cats. It also contains prebiotics and probiotics to support a healthy gut.

_{Primary Ingredients: Casein, vegetable oil, dried skim milk | Volume: 12 ounces}

This is a solid powdered kitten milk product with a good track record when it comes to quality, effect, and—what makes it stand out among other powdered kitten milk replacements—it tends to dissolve more smoothly into warm water. Less clumping means you’ll have less hassle during preparation and feeding, which can be a gift when taking care of adorable but needy kittens up to six weeks old. It’s also less expensive than our best overall pick, which may be a deciding factor for budgeting pet parents.

The vet-formulated recipe contains all the essential vitamins, amino acids, and minerals tiny and growing kittens need to properly develop/ The proprietary Opti-Gut probiotic formula ensures little kittens grow with strong, supporting gastrointestinal health, which can set them up with an immune advantage. It can also be used as a nutritional supplement for pregnant, nursing, or underweight cats. Fair warning: the flavor is not always a winner with the kitties, especially if they’ve started off with a different type of formula. Transitioning can be rough and adult cats may need it to be mixed with their usual food.

_{Primary Ingredients: Animal fat, vegetable fat, dried whey | Volume: 12 ounces}

This PetAg kitten milk replacer is specifically formulated to help your six-to-eight-week-old kitten graduate from formula to solid food. Unlike the traditional formula, which contains casein and vegetable fats for caloric density, the first ingredient in this weaning formula is rice flour. This is because you’ll be supplementing calories with solid wet or dry food. Like the traditional PetAg KMR, it’s made with cow’s milk (there is no goat’s milk alternative for this one). An easy 3:1 preparation recipe creates a broth-like formula that—thankfully—should be served in a bowl. Whereas first-step kitten milk replacer can sometimes cause constipation, this weaning formula may cause diarrhea as your cat’s gut adjusts.

_{Primary Ingredients: Rice flour, dried meat, dried milk | Volume: 14 ounces}

Raising a newborn kitten, or any kitten for that matter, is expensive. Between vet visits, kitten-proofing your home, buying the necessary new-cat accessories, and attending to their voracious appetite, opting for a solid value kitten milk replacer can help buoy your budget. This Hartz Powdered Kitten Milk Replacer is accepted by most kittens and also works to add weight to underweight adult cats. We like that, at a different mixing ratio, it can be used for weaning, though this may increase the risk of constipation and works best if you’ve been using it as your regular formula. The powder tends to dissolve well into warm water, especially if using a whisk or frother. Unused formula can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours, and once opened the entire container should be refrigerated and used within two months. Unlike the PetAg KMR, it cannot be stored in the freezer.

_{Primary Ingredients: Animal fat, vegetable fat, dried whey protein | Volume: 11 ounces}

Final Verdict

Our overall pick for the best kitten milk replacer is a foster and rescue favorite, the PetAg KMR Powder. If it’s in your budget, the quality is top notch and we like that it can be stored in the freezer to extend the use-by date to a total of six months. That said, the Hartz Powdered Kitten Milk Replacer is nothing to shake a stick at since it still offers solid ingredients and results at a much lower price point. It’s a great budget pick.

FAQ

• Can you make homemade kitten milk replacer?

  There is no one recipe for making homemade kitten milk replacer, but they usually contain a source of protein, fat, and sugar. It’s common to see easy-to-source ingredients like some type of milk, egg yolks, vegetable oil, and a sugar syrup. But while it is possible to make homemade kitten milk replacer, it can be time consuming and it’s widely understood that manufactured kitten formula is better for kittens since it has all the essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and balance of caloric content that is vital to a kitten’s development. The first six weeks of a kitten’s life are when the building blocks of their bodies, like gut and immune system, are developed and any deficit in necessary nutrients can have lifelong effects on your kitten’s health. This is definitely a time when it’s better to seek veterinary guidance and let the pros lead the way.

• Does Kitten Milk Replacer Need to Be Refrigerated?

  In short, yes. Whether you are mixing up a powdered formula or warming up a liquid product, you’ll need to refrigerate any unused portion. The refrigerated portion should be used within 24 hours or else discarded. After opening, liquid formula should be refrigerated in its container and stored only as long as the manufacturer specifies (usually around a week or two). We also recommend storing all opened powdered formulas for optimal longevity. Again, check the manufacturer’s guidance on how long it will stay fresh for use (usually around two to three months). Some powdered formula can be stored in the freezer for extra longevity, but not all. Always read labels or contact manufacturers with specific questions in order to keep your pet safe.