Kittens sometimes need supplemental nutrition, which is where kitten milk replacers come in. Whether you have a newborn kitten, or an ill or senior cat, milk replacers are a nutrient-dense, easy-to-digest, liquid meal that can save an otherwise health-fragile kitty. Kitten milk replacers are available in a variety of nutritional degrees, from a complete, balanced, nutritional profile to a basic, supplemental, nutritional enhancement.
We looked over dozens of kitten milk replacers to find the best out there. We considered both powder and liquid forms, as well as different formulas. From newborn milk replacers with colostrum to kitten milk supplements, we checked out ingredients, digestibility, ease of use, and price.
We chose PetAg KMR – Kitten Milk Replacer as our top choice for kitten milk replacer. For newborn kittens up to the age of weaning, this milk replacer mimics the mother’s milk in its nutritional profile.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Kitten Milk Replacers
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | PetAg KMR – Kitten Milk Replacer | 4.7 |
| Best Newborn Kitten Formula | Nutri-Vet Milk Replacement for Kittens with Probiotics | 4.5 |
| Best Budget Buy | Petlac Milk Powder For Kittens | 4.6 |
| Best Kitten Milk Powder | The Honest Kitchen Instant Goat's Milk for Cats and Dogs | 4.3 |
| Best Kitten Milk Supplement | PetAg KMR – Kitten Milk Replacer - Liquid | 4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Kitten Milk Replacer Overall: PetAg KMR – Kitten Milk Replacer
PetAg KMR – Kitten Milk Replacer is formulated for the needs of young kittens. Recommended for after a newborn has had his mother’s milk for a couple of days, this milk formula contains the necessary vitamins and minerals for a growing kitty. The nutrient-dense calories contain the proper ratios of fat, protein, and carbohydrates that a developing kitten needs to thrive. This kitten milk replacer also contains probiotics and prebiotics for a healthy gut. It’s easy to digest so it’s gentle on a growing digestive system.
Since the milk replacer is formulated for the specific nutrient requirements of a vulnerable, growing body, it makes a great supplement for all cats., including those who are ill, older, or just need a nutritional boost. The powder is easy to mix – gently stir one part powder to two parts warm water. This 12-ounce container makes 60 ounces of milk replacer liquid. Refrigerate any mixed milk for up to 24 hours, as well as open containers for up to 3 months to preserve freshness.
PetAg KMR – Kitten Milk Replacer Key Features:
- 12-ounce container of powder
- Includes probiotics and prebiotics
- Easy to mix
- For newborns to 6 weeks old
- Highly digestible
Best Newborn Kitten Formula: Nutri-Vet Milk Replacement for Kittens with Probiotics
If you absolutely need to feed a kitten from the beginning because mama isn’t around, you’ll need a kitten milk replacer that includes colostrum – a mix of much-needed antibodies that the mother passes on in the first few days. Our favorite newborn kitten formula is Nutri-Vet Milk Replacement for Kittens with Probiotics because it contains colostrum, and is nutrient-dense to fulfill the needs of cats of all ages and health statuses. It is easily digestible and highly palatable.
Nutri-Vet kitten milk replacer is formulated by veterinarians, and meets the requirements of protein, fat, and carbohydrates that the mother would give to her young. Because the milk replacer so closely mimics the mother’s milk, it can be given to ailing, senior, lactating, and pregnant cats. The powder is easy to mix, and can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours. The opened container should be refrigerated as well, and will remain fresh for up to 3 months.
Nutri-Vet Milk Replacement for Kittens with Probiotics Key Features:
- Includes colostrum
- Formulated by veterinarians
- 6-ounce container of powder
- Safe for pregnant and nursing cats
Best Budget Kitten Milk Replacer: Petlac Milk Powder For Kittens
Our budget pick for kitten milk replacer is Petlac Milk Powder For Kittens. Made in the USA, and formulated for newborns up to kittens 6 weeks old, this milk replacer has essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. This formula also contains prebiotics amd probiotics to aid in building a healthy digestive system. Note that this milk replacer is meant for kittens who have already nursed from their mother for at least the first few days. Otherwise, you need to add colostrum as well for complete newborn nutrition.
PetLac is also good for pregnant and nursing cats, adding supplemental nutrition to help with increased energy demands. Likewise, the milk can be given to aging or ailing cats for supplemental support. The kitten milk replacer is easy to mix with warm water, and can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The opened container should also be refrigerated for freshness, and will last up to 3 months. Freeze the open container for up 6 months.
Petlac Milk Powder For Kittens Key Features:
- Contains essential amino acids
- Include probiotics and prebiotics
- Crafted in the USA
- Safe for cats of all ages
Best Kitten Milk Powder: The Honest Kitchen Instant Goat’s Milk for Cats and Dogs
If you’re looking for the best kitten milk powder that doesn’t have a bunch of added ingredients, we like The Honest Kitchen Instant Goat’s Milk for Cats and Dogs. Made from pasture-raised, grass-fed goats, this powdered goat milk contains a plethora of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and digestive enzymes for optimal health. Safe to feed cats of all ages, this kitten milk powder provides more essential nutrients than cow’s milk, and is much easier to digest.
Available as packets or in a container, The Honest Kitchen prides itself on manufacturing pet products in a human-grade facility, under FDA guidelines. The powder is easy to mix with warm water, and can be stored in the fridge for a few days. This kitten milk powder is not meant to be fed exclusively for long periods of time; it’s for intermittent and supplemental feeding. But goat’s milk provides a wide range of nutrition in an easy-to-digest form, making it a great choice for those who need a boost of health from extra nutrition.
The Honest Kitchen Instant Goat’s Milk for Cats and Dogs Key Features:
- Pasture-raised, grass-fed goats
- Made in the USA
- Human-grade, FDA facility
- Contains probiotics
- For cats of all ages
Best Kitten Milk Supplement: PetAg KMR – Kitten Milk Replacer – Liquid
The best kitten milk supplement we found is PetAg KMR – Kitten Milk Replacer, in the liquid option. Available in a convenient 8-ounce, pop-top can, adding this kitten milk as a supplement is as easy as pouring. Whether you’re weaning kittens on to solid food, or want to give your senior cat a nutritional boost, PetAg KMR is formulated to include nutrient-dense calories in a highly bioavailable form. Add it to real meat to wean your kitty to a species-appropriate diet, or pour it over your cat’s existing meals for more flavor, nutrition, and variety.
With increased protein, fat, and carbohydrates, coupled with probiotics, prebiotics, and essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, this kitten milk supplement is good for cats of all ages and health issues. This formula does not contain colostrum, however. Keep an open can in the refrigerator so it stays fresh for up to 72 hours. Discard any unused milk.
PetAg KMR – Kitten Milk Replacer – Liquid Key Features:
- Made in the USA
- Contains taurine
- Easy-to-digest formula
- For newborns to 6 weeks old
- 8-ounce, pop-top can
Who Should Buy Kitten Milk Replacer
Kitten milk replacer comes in a range of nutritional profiles. From meeting the crucial needs of a newborn to aiding in the growth of a young kitten, kitten milk replacer varies in its nutrient content. Kitten milk replacer can help a kitten when mom isn’t around, the kitten won’t nurse, or the kitten is the runt and gets ignored. Many kitten milk replacers are made to mimic the mother’s milk, and others provide a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, and sometimes other added ingredients. They are designed to boost nutrition, and provide extra nutrient-dense calories.
Important Features to Consider
Kitten milk replacer should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting kitten milk replacer:
- Nutritional profile. Kitten milk replacers are formulated for different stages of development. It’s important to consider which kitten milk replacer is best for your scenario. Newborns who never nursed from their mother should receive a kitten milk replacer with colostrum – to give the newborn important antibodies that would normally come from the mother’s milk. Young kittens who had the chance to nurse do not require extra colostrum, but do require a particular macronutrient ratio to ensure the proper amount of fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
- Gut health. A kitten milk replacer should not be tough on the digestive system. It should aid in optimal gut health. Most kitten milk replacers are made with cow’s or goat’s milk, and have added probiotics and prebiotics to enhance digestibility. Milk protein is more bioavailable than other ingredients, such as soy protein. Some kitten milk replacers are also available in low-lactose formulas.
- Powder or liquid. Whether you purchase powder or liquid kitten milk replacer is more a matter of preference, convenience, and price, than it is regarding the health of the kitten. Both powder and liquid forms of kitten milk offer nutrient-dense calories for the growing needs of a kitten. Powdered milk has to be mixed thoroughly with water before feeding, while liquid kitten milk is ready to use as soon as you open the container.
- Size or amount to have on hand. Size, or amount of milk replacer, is also a matter of preference, and determinant of your own needs. The size of the container will determine how much kitten milk replacer you’ll have to feed a kitten. So it depends on how long you plan to feed a kitten milk replacer, or how many kittens you have to feed. Kitten milk replacers come in a wide range of sizes – from individual packets to upward of 5-pound bags for powdered milk, and anywhere from 6 to 32 ounces for liquid containers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a kitten milk replacer?
Typically, a kitten receives his nutrition from his mother during the nursing period. For the times when kittens are unable to receive proper feeding from mom, a kitten milk replacer can fill the void. Many of the milk replacers are referred to as ‘kitten formula’ because they are adequate in meeting the nutritional requirements of growing and developing kittens. These milks contain the proper macronutrient ratios that kittens need to thrive.
Other milk replacers are considered supplemental because while they add a host of essential vitamins and minerals, they may or may not contain the essential amino acids. Likewise, supplemental milk replacers may not be formulated with the correct macronutrient ratio.
How much milk replacer does a kitten need?
A kitten will eat roughly 8 mL of formula per ounce of her body weight on a daily basis. Follow the instructions on your kitten milk replacer container to determine the correct way to make or feed the milk. Once you know how much to feed daily, divide that number by the amount of feedings per day to determine the amount to feed per meal.
How often should I feed a kitten with milk replacer?
Most kittens need to be fed every 2 to 4 hours. How much you feed per meal depends on the amount of kitten milk replacer you are giving daily. As the kitten enters week 2 or 3, you may be able to feed every 4 or 5 hours instead. Take the total amount of kitten milk replacer the kitten needs to consume daily, and divide by the number of feedings to come up with how much to feed per meal.
How do you feed a kitten milk replacer?
Tiny kittens must be bottle-fed if mama isn’t around. Use a nursing bottle since they are marked with measurements. Feed formula at just above room temperature. Never feed a kitten on his back. Let her eat at her own pace. Do not overfeed a kitten – when she stops feeding, she’s done.
Other Kitten Milk Replacers We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other kitten milk replacers. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best kitten milk replacers list, they’re still great options for kittens. The information you need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Powdered Kitten Milk Replacers, Under 8 Ounces
- Powdered Kitten Milk Replacers, 10 to 12 Ounces
- Powdered Kitten Milk Replacers, Over 14 Ounces
- Liquid Kitten Milk Replacers
Powdered Kitten Milk Replacers, Under 8 Ounces
GNC Pets Ultra Mega Premium Milk Replacer for Kittens
GNC milk replacer for kittens is made for newborns up to the time of weaning, but can be used for ill or senior cats who need extra supplementation.
Key Features:
- 6-ounce container powdered milk
- Enriched with vitamins and minerals
- Easy to mix
Cost: $20
PetAg Kitten Milk Replacer Emergency Feeding Kit
This emergency feeding kit is for newborn kittens up to the age of 6 weeks, and contains the needed protein, fat, and carbohydrates little growing bodies need to thrive.
Key Features:
- Kit includes milk replacer, a nursing bottle with nipple, and a tube of probiotics
- Formula makes 5 ounces of liquid
- For cats of all ages
Cost: $9
PetAg KMR Kitten Milk Replacer – Emergency
PetAg KMR offers an emergency pack of kitten milk replacer in a convenient pouch, which gives a young kitten the necessary nutrients to grow.
Key Features:
- Easy to digest
- Easy to mix
- Made to mimic the mother’s milk
Cost: $9
PetAg KMR Kitten Milk Replacer – 6 Ounce
Made for newborn kittens up to the weaning period, this milk replacer was formulated to replace the mother’s milk.
Key Features:
- Increased protein, fat, and carbohydrates
- Easy to digest
- Easy to mix powder
Cost: $8
Raw Paws Frozen Raw & Powdered Goat Milk for Dogs & Cats
Made with 100 percent powdered goat’s milk, this milk replacer is full of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, probiotics, and digestive enzymes.
Key Features:
- Made in the USA
- Easy to mix
- Suitable for dogs and cats of all ages
Cost: $40
Powdered Kitten Milk Replacers, 10 to 12 Ounces
Hartz Powdered Kitten Milk Replacer Formula
Formulated to mimic the mother’s milk, Hartz kitten milk replacer offers a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals to aid in the growth of your kitty.
Key Features:
- Suitable for pregnant and lactating cats
- Easy to mix
- For newborns up to 6 weeks old
Cost: $12
Kenic Kittylac Milk Replacer for Kittens
For newborn kittens up to 6 weeks old, this kitten milk replacer contains the recommended nutrition for growing and developing kittens.
Key Features:
- 12-ounce powder
- Easy to digest
- Safe for pregnant and lactating cats
Cost: $19
Nutri-Vet Milk Replacement for Kittens with Probiotics
Formulated for newborn kittens to thrive, this milk replacer can also be given to cats that just need extra nutrition.
Key Features:
- 12 ounces
- Veterinary formulated
- Available in other sizes
Cost: $14
PetLac is made with all milk protein, and is a complete source of nutrition for newborn kittens.
Key Features:
- Includes taurine
- Easy to digest
- Suitable for pregnant and nursing cats
Cost: $11
Revival Animal Health Breeder’s Edge Foster Care Feline Milk Replacer
For kittens, and cats who need something extra, Breeder’s Edge features a powdered milk replacer that meets the nutritional needs of growing kittens.
Key Features:
- Low lactose
- Includes taurine
- Contains all essential amino acids
Cost: $16
Thomas Laboratories Goat-A-Lac Nutrition Powder
Thomas Laboratories offers a full, complete, nutritional profile for feeding newborn kittens up to the age of weaning with its goat milk-based formula.
Key Features:
- 12-ounce container
- Contains probiotics and prebiotics
- Easy to mix
Cost: $17
Powdered Kitten Milk Replacers, Over 14 Ounces
PetAg KMR 2nd Step Kitten Weaning Food
For kittens between 4 and 8 weeks old, this milk replacer helps wean your kitty to solid foods by adding meat protein to the mix.
Key Features:
- Easy to digest
- Formulated to mimic mother’s milk
- Made in the USA
Cost: $6
Revival Animal Health Breeder’s Edge Foster Care Feline Milk Replacer
Breeder’s Edge powdered milk offers a nutritionally balanced milk replacement with increased levels of protein, fat, and carbohydrates to help the growing needs of kittens.
Key Features:
- 4.5-pound bag
- Low lactose formula
- Contains all essential amino acids
Cost: $70
Thomas Laboratories Goat-A-Lac Supplement Powder for Pets
For dogs and cats of all ages, this milk replacer contains a wide variety of nutrition to help growing newborns.
Key Features:
- 4 pound bag of powder
- Contains cow and goat milk
- Complete nutrition
Cost: $55
Liquid Kitten Milk Replacers
4-Pack KMR Liquid Milk Replacer for Kittens and Cats
This kitten milk replacer is ready-to-use, and contains complete nutrition with probiotics.
Key Features:
- Made in the USA
- 4-pack of 8-ounce cans
- Highly digestible formula
Cost: $40
Cat Sip Real Milk Treat For Cats and Kittens
Ready-to-use for kittens over the age of 8 weeks, Cat Sip is a supplemental treat and not meant for complete nutrition.
Key Features:
- Low lactose milk
- Contains taurine
- Made in the USA
Cost: $2
PetAg Milk Replacer Plus for Kittens
This kitten milk replacer is ready to use for newborns and young kittens, and it contains colostrum.
Key Features:
- Includes taurine
- Highly digestible
- Made in the USA
Cost: $27
This ready-to-use formula contains nutrition suitable for growth and development, and includes probiotics and prebiotics.
Key Features:
- Made in the USA
- Easy to digest
- 32 ounces
Cost: $7
Raw Paws Frozen Raw & Powdered Goat Milk for Dogs & Cats
Raw Paws Pet Food offers ready-to-use, raw, unpasteurized goat’s milk, which is full of nutrients, probiotics, and digestive enzymes.
Key Features:
- Made in the USA
- No antibiotics or hormones
- Grass-fed, free-range
Cost: $140
Whiskas Catmilk For Cats and Kittens
Whiskas offers a milk treat for cats and kittens to add protein and fat, but is not formulated for complete nutrition.
Key Features:
- Low in lactose
- Easy to digest
- Ready-to-use cartons
Cost: $12
