Pregant Cats and Lactation

wickedwitch

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Hi, my name is Alie, and I'll properly introduce myself elsewhere, but for right now I need to ask about the lactation of a pregnant cat. Can a pregnant cat lactate and nurse a kitten before she gives birth to her litter? I'm asking because my Sadie gave birth May 16th, and I think I may have a runt on my hands. And I'm getting concerned that he may be in need of special attention (I'm calling him Six because he was the sixth and last kitten born). Now, I've built a little homemade incubator for him, but since I have another cat who is currently pregnant (Chai), I'm wondering if I can give him to her to nurse. This may sound strange, but despite my efforts to keep Chai (pregnant cat) out of the nursery room and kittening box I have set up for Sadie (nursing cat), she manages to get in; when she does, she assumes that Sadie's kittens are hers and takes care of them (which Sadie doesn't seem to mind at all). If I give Six (the runt) to Chai, will she lactate and be able to nurse him even though she hasn't had her kittens yet? Or should I hand-raise him? Side note: I've decided that this is the last time my queens will get pregnant; I'll be having them both spayed as soon as possible.

Thank you in advance for any information and/or advice you can provide.
 

gayef

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As cats are such individuals, it is difficult to say how it would go with your girl, but yes, physically it is possible that a queen can begin lactating before delivery. That now being said, the question now is whether or not it is desirable for that to happen. I would almost prefer that the kitten be supplemented with bottle-feedings if he isn't getting enough nourishment. So long as he is getting ~some~ nursing time in, you can give him a bottle of goat's milk (I really dislike KMR - I find it pretty much always causes some sort of digestive issues) a few times per day.

I wish you the best of luck with little Six ... let me know how it goes?
 

goldenkitty45

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How old is the kitten that needs to be nursed. Yes its possible to do if the pregnant cat allows it, but she probably won't have milk till around a week before her kittens are due.
 
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wickedwitch

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Originally Posted by gayef

As cats are such individuals, it is difficult to say how it would go with your girl, but yes, physically it is possible that a queen can begin lactating before delivery. That now being said, the question now is whether or not it is desirable for that to happen. I would almost prefer that the kitten be supplemented with bottle-feedings if he isn't getting enough nourishment. So long as he is getting ~some~ nursing time in, you can give him a bottle of goat's milk (I really dislike KMR - I find it pretty much always causes some sort of digestive issues) a few times per day. There's a store in town that sells cat's milk (it isn't KMR, but it can be given to kittens), and it's made to be easier to digest, do you think I should give him that? Or is goat's milk the best substitute?

I wish you the best of luck with little Six ... let me know how it goes?
Thanks so much! I'll give updates on Six and the rest of the babies.
Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

How old is the kitten that needs to be nursed. 16 days old. Yes its possible to do if the pregnant cat allows it, but she probably won't have milk till around a week before her kittens are due.
Ah, okay. Well, Chai's quite convinced that Sadie's kittens are hers and does try to nurse them (and Sadie doesn't mind this), but she's weeks away from delivering her own litter, so I guess she wouldn't be lactating now even though she does get suckled. Supplement, I shall. Thank you!
 
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