Boost Cat Mom's Milk Supply: 5 Natural Lactation Tips

There are numerous factors that can contribute to a mother cat's insufficient milk supply.

1. Poor dietary conditions during the pregnancy period can lead to inadequate mammary gland development and endocrine dysfunction, resulting in insufficient milk production.

2. Genetic or endocrine influences may also play a role. Conditions such as being underweight or overweight, suffering from severe illnesses, or experiencing excessive stress can all cause the mother cat discomfort and, consequently, insufficient milk supply.

3. Stress in the mother cat can also lead to a lack of milk.

When you notice that a mother cat's milk supply is low, it's important not to automatically assume that formula can replace breast milk. First, focus on boosting the mother's milk production, and then have kitten formula on hand for emergencies. If, after trying to stimulate milk production, the mother still doesn't produce milk, you should consider bottlefeeding the kittens.

When a mother cat lacks milk or has an insufficient supply postpartum, you can try the following methods to encourage milk production:

1. Hormonal therapy to stimulate milk production. Administer oxytocin, a hormone, via intramuscular injection to the mother cat at a dose of 3 to 4 units daily, for three to four consecutive days to help her produce milk.

2. Follow your veterinarian's advice for herbal milkboosting treatments. Prepare a mixture of 20 grams of uncaria tomentosa, 10 grams of tengjiao, one pair of pork trotters, 50 grams of brown sugar, and 25 milliliters of yellow wine. Boil the ingredients until tender, then serve to the mother cat. Take this once daily for 3 to 5 days.

3. Increase the mother cat's diet with pet food rich in milk, goat's milk, and eggs, as well as adding more water and soy milk. Thin out the pet food to make it more liquid.

4. Feed the mother cat with small fish soup rich in protein. Boil 100 to 150 grams of small crucian carp and divide the soup into two feedings daily for a week.

5. Mash 100 to 150 grams of dried shrimp into a paste, boil it with 50 milliliters of yellow wine, and feed it to the mother cat once daily for 3 to 5 days.

Cats prefer warm food, as cold meals can not only diminish their appetite but also lead to digestive disorders. This is especially true for a mother cat after giving birth. Generally, the ideal temperature for food is between 30 to 40 degrees Celsius. When taking food out of the refrigerator, it should be heated before being served to the mother cat.