Can Kittens Have Soy Baby Formula
Soy formula is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to cow s milk formula.
Can kittens have soy baby formula. While a newborn kitten can digest lactose which is also found in a mother cat s milk kittens lose that ability shortly after they are weaned. I had someone give me a barely 2 week old kitten because i have a mommy cat that i hoped would accept the orphan. The most basic argument offered for not feeding cats soy milk is that because this is a vegetable protein meaning that it s been derived from a plant as opposed to an animal it s not suited for cats who are by nature omnivores. In fact contrary to what many have grown up seeing on tv or being told most cats are technically lactose intolerant and should therefore not even be drinking actual milk products that contain dairy.
However even after she has weaned your kitten should still not consume human baby formula even as a treat. It is not unusual for kittens to have some difficulties digesting cow s milk based formulas. Kittens can drink human baby formula in desperate situations but it is not acceptable for long term diets due to lactose and an incorrect ratio of nutrients. The first formula on our list which is based on goat s milk may be used instead of store bought milk replacement formulas such as kmr breeders edge or just born up until weaning.
Plan to be up every 2 hours or so to feed them just like a baby. The optimal nourishment for a kitten is its mother s milk. Human baby formula is specially designed to nourish human infants only not kittens. Cats should not be given things like soy or almond milk because overall it is not good for them.
You will need to buy formula. It is more of a treat minus the lactose so cats and kittens can digest it. However even after she has weaned your kitten should still not consume human baby formula even as a treat. Kitten milk does not have the vitamins and nutrients that formula for kittens has.
Alternately you can make a temporary formula using one can of evaporated milk one egg yolk and two tablespoons of karo syrup. Mix the formula in with cat food starting at 6 weeks depending on the kitten. This article reviews the latest research to determine whether soy formula is a safe choice for your baby. Because human baby formula is made from cow s milk it is high in lactose.
A kitten would probably not get any of the correct nutrients it needs from human baby formula. If that is unavailable specially formulated milk replacements are the next best option. Here are some kitten formula recipes you can make using ingredients available at most grocery stores. After about three to four weeks of age your kitten can start eating solid foods.
Unfortunately after feeding for a short while the mommy cat would have no part.