How to Make Kitten Formula

Newborn and young kittens get the best nourishment by staying with their mother until they are six to eight weeks old. Sometimes a mother cat leaves, dies or has a medical reason for being unable to nurse the kittens. When this happens, you must feed kittens with kitten formula to help them get the nutrients and sustenance they need to grow, If you cannot find kitten formula in a pet store, or if you need the formula after the pet store has closed for the day, you can make your own kitten formula from items you can purchase in a grocery store and drugstore. You can feed the kitten using a medicine dropper or syringe with cc measurements.

Things You'll Need

  • Saucepan
  • Milk (evaporated and goat)
  • Corn syrup
  • Eggs
  • Vegetable oil
  • Unflavored gelatin powder
  • Plain yogurt
  • Cod liver oil capsules
  • Liquid infant vitamins
  • Medicine dropper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Try to have the kitten feed from the mother one last time. If the kitten does not latch on to the mother or if the kitten is an orphan, proceed to making kitten formula to feed the kitten.

    • 2

      Start by mixing up a batch of basic kitten formula. Mix together 4 ounces evaporated milk, 4 ounces water, 2 egg yolks, 1 teaspoon of light corn syrup and 1 capsule of liquid cod liver oil found in the vitamin section of a drugstore or grocery store. Mix well and feed the kitten at least 1 cc, but no more than 3 cc, of the formula every 2 hours using the medicine dropper. Store the remaining formula in the refrigerator to keep the mixture cold. You will need to make a new batch every 48 hours and dispose of all unused formula. If the kitten does not drink the formula or seems to not like the taste, try a different recipe.

    • 3

      For an alternative kitten formula, mix together 1 cup evaporated milk, 2 egg yolks, 2 teaspoons vegetable oil and one drop of infant multivitamins, which can be found in the vitamin section of a drugstore. Feed the kitten in the same manner: at least 1 cc every 2 hours until the kitten is at least 4 weeks old and can be given small amounts of soft kitten or cat food.

    • 4

      Try other kitten formula recipes if the kitten is still not feeding properly or is not eating enough during each feeding. One alternative formula involves dissolving 1 package of unflavored gelatin in a saucepan with 1 quart of goat's milk. Heat until all gelatin crystals are dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 teaspoon light corn syrup, 1 tablespoon plain yogurt and 1 egg yolk. Blend well and place in the medicine dropper. Test the formula on the inside of your wrist to make sure the temperature is not too hot. Increase the amount of gelatin used, up to 2 envelopes, as the kitten ages and requires a thicker formula.