Can Cats Produce Milk for Other Kittens? 5 Vet best Answer

Cats have been loved as pets because of their maternal care and the exceptional protective nature of their kittens. Immediately a mother cat gets pregnant, she has one goal and that is to ensure that her kittens are well taken care of.

But what happens when kittens are not her own? Is a cat capable of producing milk for other kittens and if so why does this occur?

Such questions can be discussed among the owners of pets and breeders as well as the workers of animal shelters who are dealing with lots of orphaned or abandoned kittens.

Successively, here in this article, we will discuss and unveil the insightful aspect on feline lactation and maternal behaviour coupled with the phenomenon surrounding cats nursing other female kittens. Let us discuss whether can cats produce milk for other kittens.

Understanding Lactation in Cats

Nursing in cats is an intricate physiological process that commences when hormonal changes that characterise feline pregnancy occur.

Prolactin, secreted by the pituitary gland, responds greatly to thischester’s stimulation of milk production. At this stage, the mother cat is pregnant, and as she nears delivery, her mammary glands will start to develop ready for her kittens. 

The two therefore go hand in hand since the production of milk in the human female is as a result of nursing activity. Instead, when kittens begin to suckle they inspire oxytocin, a hormone that causes the mother to release more milk.

This complex ballet guarantees that kittens are provided for, the necessary nutrition for healthy development is given. 

Equally important to know, breastfeeding is possible not only during pregnancy. In certain cases, cats are able to produce milk, even if they did not give birth this can lead us to the next point on our list.

Can a Cat Produce Milk Without Being Pregnant?

Critically, what might at first be shocking is that some cats can lactate even when they are not pregnant at all. This is attributed to a pregnancy condition which is referred to as false pregnancy or pseudopregnancy.

Oftentimes, known as pseudopregnancy, a feline’s body will go through a massive hormonal change that is similar to an actual pregnant cat, therefore resulting in behaviours like, nesting and even milking. 

Sometimes just stroking the teats is enough to coax the milk, and in other cases, mere suckling may suffice.

For example, if kittens are left without a mother and try to feed from a doe that does not have milk, then the licking alone may actually make her body produce some milk.

Though very, very rare this is just another example of how maternal instincts can be seen in cats no matter the age of the mother.

Fostering and Cross Nursing in Cats

No wonder cross-nursing, where a female cat will nurse kittens from another mother, is not a rare occurrence among cats at all.

Female cats nursing their young are not exempt from these instances; nursing among mom cats may be shared, especially with multi cat home or feral cat colonies.

Such cooperation can be a lifesaver for small cats lacking a mother, who feeds their babies with the essential nutrients, found in milk. 

This is not rare for shelters and rescues when lactating females will take in young kittens from other litters and different families.

Although not all cats would accept such a setup, those with well developed maternal feelings would eagerly accept to be foster mothers.

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Science Behind of Milk Sharing in Cats

Breastfeeding in cats is an evolutionary benefit There is nothing wrong with the act of milk sharing in cats.

In the wild, communal nursing is also effective in raising the survival of the young in general and the kitten in particular through conditions of shortage of food and water and others.

Thus, group working with other mother cats lets provide all kittens with necessary meals even if some of them are more greedy. 

However, nursing multiple kittens put a test on the lactating cat’s resourcefulness. This results in the quality and quantity of milk starting to prompt down if the demand starts outperforming the production capability of the mother.

This is why it is important for both the nursing mothers and the kittens to be closely watched in cross-nursing.

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Can Any Cat Nurse Another Cat’s Kittens?

All cats will not accept to nurse kittens that are not their own. Cross nursing, then, is dictated to some extent, by the individual cat’s temperament, her ability to act in a maternal fashion, as well as her health state at the time.

Different cat breeds are sensitive in different ways; whereas some can easily accept and adopt motherless kittens some can even become aggressive and stressed on seeing young kittens. 

Moreover, the factors include that a cat is capable of producing milk all on its own and this is very important.

But even the most willing cross racial foster mum cannot lactate and thus cannot feed her charges.

Also read: Why Do Cats Lick Their Paws? 5 Vet-Approved Explanations

Potential Risks of Cross-Nursing

Cross of the nursing can be thus a life saving plan however, it is not free from danger. The big concern is that disease is transmitted with milk products.

Cat leukaemia virus (FeLV) or cat AIDS virus (FIV) are examples of passable viruses from the nursing mom to the kits. 

Another risky aspect is the physiological pressure going through the lactating mother. Gestation or nursing several kittens may cause her to lose weight apart from using a lot of energy, thereby making her unhealthy.

Stress is the other factor which should be kept in mind because anything, which is capable of making the mother cat stressed will affect the production of milk in addition to other health complications that may arise.

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How to Encourage a Cat to Nurse Orphaned Kittens

When trying to familiarise the orphaned kittens with a nursing mother, then one needs to follow certain considerations.

First of all one has to make sure that the mother cat and the kittens are comfortable, as she is going to be with her babies for the majority of the time.

It also explains that the sudden appearance of new kittens can be stressful, which means that radical changes should be made gradually. 

When choosing a pair, take them near the mother and put the kittens close to her head while she can sniff and check them.

In case she acts aggressive or stressed, it is advisable to seek to feed her at another moment or employ different strategies.

It is important to always observe the interactions closely in order to prevent harm from coming to either the mother or the kittens.

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Alternatives to Natural Nursing

However, when natural nursing is impossible, bottle-feeding replaces natural breastfeeding and is the main way of rearing orphaned kittens.

Kitten milk replacers (KMR) are dietary formulations that are designed to elicit the nutritional profile of the queen’s milk. 

Feeding the kittens needs a lot of commitment, as they need to be fed every few hours or during the night.

To ensure that the young are not affected by infections, it is vital that hygiene measures are observed. in addition, the temperature of the milk replacer should be controlled in order to minimise digestive upsets.

Real-Life Stories of Cats Nursing Other Kittens

Animal sanctuaries and rescue establishments are familiar with majestic stories of feral queen cats nursing abandoned kittens.

For instance, a stray cat which was taken to a shelter was first taken into the shelter to nurse a set of dumped kittens and even adopt them as her own. 

These stories tell the reader about the flexibility and kindness of cats. When human care is afforded to these kittens, cross nursing can be a lifesaver, especially for those kittens that need it.

wrap up on Can Cats Produce Milk for Other Kittens

How kittens can produce milk for other kittens just show how maternal and instinctive cats are.

Natural nursing cross nursing, or whatever we may call it, mother cats take good care of their young ones in every which way possible and nothing can quite mesmerize this perception. 

For anyone who has a cat and who takes care of cats, it’s so important to know about feline lactation, about those peculiarities of feline maternal behaviour.

That is why, when the situation allows, it is important to facilitate everything possible to create a safe environment and look for a change when necessary. The kitten deserves a chance.

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FAQ: Can Cats Produce Milk for Other Kittens