Breastfeeding of kittens - Cat reproduction - Wamiz

For 48 hours, the cat never leaves her kittens alone.They suck between 2 and 3 ml of milk every 20 minutes, and their weight has almost doubled after a week.In the first days of life, the little ones move little;They only start to open their eyes between the 10th and the 14th day.It is the mother who takes care of their hygiene: she often licks them and encourages them to eliminate the urine and the faeces that she then swallows, before rejecting the excrement around her.

During this period, the maternal regime must be particularly rich and include mineral salts and vitamins, which is why we advise to give the cat the same diet as that of the growing kittens.

From the age of 3 weeks, kittens start to explore their environment: it is preferable that they remain with the mother until the 2nd month and that they drink breast milk as often as possible by alternating, from the45th day, with ready -made foods designed for kittens, so as to wean them gradually.At this stage, the mother's lactation will dry up quickly, insofar as milk secretions depend on the stimulation of the udders by kittens.

If the mother cannot breastfeed them

It may happen that the cat does not have enough milk and that the little ones find it difficult to gain weight, or that it suffers from an infected udder which prohibits breastfeeding.In this case, it is up to the masters to intervene.You must buy special bottles which will be carefully washed and sterilized after each feeding, because newborns are very sensitive to infections and easily suffer from diarrhea problems.

The person responsible for feeding them must wash their hands and prepare the milk at the last moment.The number of feedings is as important as the quality of milk administered: we will spend seven bottles per 24 hours per 1st week, day and night, two bottles on the 6th week alternating with solid foods.

During feeding, you have to massage the perineum, that is to say the area between the anus and the genitals, with a soft and humid cloth so as to stimulate the evacuations, exactly what the mother does whenShe licks them.Milk should look like that of the mother as much as possible.

Cow's milk is not suitable because it is more low in fat, protein and mineral salts than that of the pussy.Feline breast milk is recommended, powder or liquid, well diluted depending on the instructions attached to the product.It is found in pharmacies that market veterinary products and in good pet stores.

To take over

If the mother of the kittens you have is not able to breastfeed her little ones, it's up to you to take over!But beware, do not give them cow's milk, but milk completely adapted to their needs.To do this, you must therefore acquire substitution milk for kitten, and feed them appropriately.There is also milk that can be given to small felines even beyond the breastfeeding period, as well as milk specially provided for adult cat, if the latter digests this little milk pleasure.Do not hesitate to discover our selection of products.