Can I feed my kitten Unpasteurized Goat's Milk?

werra

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My cat gave birth to 6 kittens but the other one is much smaller than the others. They are all 5 days old now. Everytime they nurse together, the smaller kitten can't nurse that much because of her bigger brothers and sisters. I bought 1 pasteurized and 1 unpasteurized goat's milk which one should I feed her at least one or twice a day? or is it safe to give her this kind of all even if she is only 5 days old? Her mother is allowing her to nurse but  I'm worried the smaller kitten couldn't nurse that much because of large litters
 

StefanZ

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My cat gave birth to 6 kittens but the other one is much smaller than the others. They are all 5 days old now. Everytime they nurse together, the smaller kitten can't nurse that much because of her bigger brothers and sisters. I bought 1 pasteurized and 1 unpasteurized goat's milk which one should I feed her at least one or twice a day? or is it safe to give her this kind of all even if she is only 5 days old? Her mother is allowing her to nurse but  I'm worried the smaller kitten couldn't nurse that much because of large litters
Yes, goat milk works nicely and is a good alternative to kmr kitten mothermilk replacement.   Fresh goat milk is even better than bottled, so use this unpasterized as you can choose.  I presume it contains some useful antibodies too, almost like cat moms milk.

Re the problem the others arent bullying her out.   You can try to put her forward to mom when the others are sleeping.  You can even take away aside a couple of the biggest, for a while, when they are sleeping, so there is more place.   You can make a mini-nest for them, with a heating pad on low warmth...  So they will sleep contend there, not problems for them or for mom..

And the little one will get more quality time with mom.

Be also sure to weight them all every day, but most important the critical ones - here the runt...  In critical phases - even twice a day, so you kNOW she is gaining at least 6 grammes a day.

But as said, goat milk is good - perhaps even better than most kmr types.  And of them two sorts - the fresh fullfat is best.

Good luck!
 
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werra

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Thank you for the reply How many ml should I her is it ok to just give her 0.5 ml per serving? I have a syringe. I read it is better to underfeed her than to overfeed
 
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werra

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I gave her 0.5 ml and she loves it. I had her lying on her belly and gave her small amount. Should I give her more or 0.5 ml is ok then I do it like every 3 hours?

Edit: I read that for 1 week old it should be 32 ml per day for 4 oz body weight but her mother is nursing her and not neglecting her i just don't want to overfeed her
 
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I have had great success with raw goat milk for digestion issues in my cat with digestion issues and sometimes even mix a raw egg yolk(clean source pastured fed). And although this is not your situation I want to express how pleased I am with it. I believe it to be safe and beneficial.
 

StefanZ

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I gave her 0.5 ml and she loves it. I had her lying on her belly and gave her small amount. Should I give her more or 0.5 ml is ok then I do it like every 3 hours?

Edit: I read that for 1 week old it should be 32 ml per day for 4 oz body weight but her mother is nursing her and not neglecting her i just don't want to overfeed her
The danger for overfeeding as such is almost none.  The problem is, a weak kitten isnt sucking and swallowing actively, and its easily happen to give too much too quickly, and it gets the milk "in wrong throat".  Or  it get refluxes, and these may get into lungs if unlucky...  That is why it is better to give too little than too much.

With a healthy kitten who essentially suckles and swallows actively its pretty safe, as long as you do it right.  It tummy down, head up, may be raised somewhat diagonally.   Essentially like the nurse from mom.    You can burp afterwards to be double safe.

Its correct, 8 ml for every oz a day, is the rule of thumb.  Or 8 ml on 30 grammes.    As her mom is nursing, its more difficult to know, you must play it by the ear, and get help from weighing her.

But as said, the danger of overfeeding istn that big.   What may be a problem, is she being contend with the goat milk, will perhaps not eat so much from mom.  And although goat milk is pretty good, it is not as good as the real thing, a healthy moms own milk..

Good luck!
 
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werra

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OK thanks very much for answering my question I will keep an eye on her and will make sure to give her some goat's milk but not too much so that she will still rely on her mother's milk
 
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