Mother Cat is Not Producing Milk

A cat not producing milk for her young is not at all normal. During pregnancy, the cat's breasts are preparing for future milk production. The glands enlarge and, immediately after giving birth, they begin to produce colostrum. This first milk for cats is highly nutritious and performs an important immunological function. Kittens are vulnerable at birth, so they need protection from bacteria, viruses or anything else that can affect their immune system. This is one of the reasons a cat will nest before she gives birth. She needs to protect her newborns.

After the colostrum, regular cat milk is produced. The milk is secreted via the nipples on the cat's breasts. The kittens will latch on with their mouths and, as they grow, knead the breast with their paws. This is done to help stimulate lactation (milk production). This also helps the kittens bond with their mother. The kittens' steady suckling also helps stimulate the release of milk, so observe whether they are able to latch and feed comfortably.

You may sometimes be able to see the milk being secreted or simply see it around the kittens' mouths. However, this will not always be the case. Still, you can know that milk is being produced if the kittens are nuzzling up to their mother's belly and suckling on her nipples. Kittens intuitively know how to suck. They will spend their time either suckling or sleeping. When there is no problem with the mother's lactation, the kittens will be quiet and sedate. They are well-fed and are having their other needs attended to by their mother. There should be no need to manipulate the mother's breasts to try to force secretion.

Although very rare, it is possible that a mother cat does not have milk for her kittens. If you want to know how we can tell a cat is not producing milk, we can look at the health of the kittens. A clear alarm signal would be that the idyllic scene of well-fed young is not present. On the contrary, the kittens will be moaning and looking for food. They will be clambering over each other and trying to suckle at their mother without success.

Well-fed kittens will grow visibly fat around the belly from feeding. If they haven't fed, this will not occur. Kittens that cannot feed will soon become dehydrated, cold, restless and more susceptible to disease. If we do not intervene quickly, the kittens will die. The first thing we need to do is take them to a vet. They will be able to confirm whether a lack of milk production is indeed at fault and not some other pathology. They will also be able to provide emergency nutrition or fluid therapy if needed. Because newborn kittens can deteriorate quickly, do not wait to see if the problem resolves on its own. Keep them safely warm while arranging veterinary care, but avoid direct contact with hot objects.

The reasons why a cat is not producing milk are hard to determine. They could be due to:

• Genetics: it is possible the cat has a genetic problem that prevents her from producing milk. There is nothing that can be done to fix this problem, so the kittens will need to be artificially fed instead. The mother may not be aware she is unable to lactate.
• Malnutrition: when the mother cat is preparing for giving birth, she will feed regularly and prepare her body. She may stop eating just before delivery, but this is because she needs to nest and get ready. However, if she has not been provided with enough food or has been unable to eat for whatever reason (e.g. a sore tooth, throat problems, etc.), she may not be able to produce enough milk. Even if she is able to produce some, it may not be nutritious enough for the kittens' needs. During nursing, she should have access to fresh water and appropriate food so she can maintain her condition.
• Infection: if a mother cat has a bacterial or viral infection, it can affect her breasts. Mastitis is the word for inflammation of the cat's breasts. If the breasts are swollen, they may be unable to produce milk. However, it would have to be a severe infection to prevent all of the nipples from producing milk. Whether the cat can produce no milk or only some, the kittens should not try to feed without veterinary advice. Especially in their vulnerable state, the infection may be passed on and harm them.
• Other disease: there may be other diseases that are preventing the cat from lactating. This includes problems like breast cancer, but the extent will depend on how far the disease has progressed.
• Stress: a cat that is very stressed may be unable to release milk. This is because kneading and suckling by the kittens help trigger the hormone oxytocin. The so-called ‘happiness hormone’, oxytocin is needed for the release of milk. If the cat is highly stressed, this can lead to a lack of oxytocin and an inability to feed.

Recognizing the signs that a cat is not producing milk is of vital importance. We need to act quickly, otherwise the kittens can become malnourished and will die without intervention. If the kittens are unsettled or not gaining weight, contact a veterinarian promptly, even if the mother appears to be nursing them.

If we have a pregnant cat, then we must do everything we can to help her prepare. This means providing her with comfortable places to rest, sufficient food of high quality and hygienic living areas to keep her safe from disease. A healthy cat should, therefore, be able to produce milk when the time comes. If she cannot, our first idea might be that we can find a way to stimulate milk production.

Unfortunately, there is no quick cure or magical food that can make the mother cat start producing milk. If the problem is an infection or disease, then the problem will need to be treated. This is a process that takes time, something the kittens will not have very much of. If the problem is genetic, then there may be no way at all for her to produce milk, no matter what we try. With stress, we might be able to calm the cat down by providing a relaxing environment and removing any stressors. However, this is something much more easily said than done. Do not give the mother medication or supplements to increase milk production unless a veterinarian recommends them, as the cause of the problem needs to be assessed first.

If a mother cat is unable to produce milk, there is only one real option. You will have to artificially feed the kittens.

After going to the veterinarian and confirming the mother cat is unable to produce milk, we should listen to their advice about what to do next. They will be able to treat any secondary illnesses or issues that need immediate treatment. If the kittens are malnourished or their immunity is compromised, they may need emergency treatment. This is why it is so important that you take them to the veterinarian.

The vet will also be able to advise on how to artificially feed the kittens. If the kittens have had no milk at all, they may need artificial colostrum to boost their immune systems. After they have been fed this, they can be fed artificial kitten milk. You should follow the instructions on the particular product, but you should ask the vet to recommend a quality brand that is available in your region. Prepare each feed as directed and use clean feeding equipment to reduce the risk of contamination.

Before offering the artificial formula to the kittens, we need to check the temperature. If the milk is too hot or too cold, then the kittens may not be able to feed. Kittens will need to be fed very regularly at first, around every 2 hours. It is vital that we don't use other types of milk, as they may not be able to provide the nutrition the kittens require. A cold or weak kitten may not be able to suck safely, so ask the veterinarian for guidance before trying to feed one in this condition.

When feeding the kitten, you should hold them under the chest and keep their legs resting on your lap. Tilting their head up will help them swallow the milk. We should let them drink and suckle naturally, not try to force the milk into their mouths, as this can cause them to inhale it. As the kitten grows, they will need less milk. By three weeks of age, we can start introducing solid food. Read our article on the weaning process in cats to know what you will need to do.

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