Finding a tiny kitten or puppy that has been separated from its mother is one of the most stressful situations a pet owner in Pakistan can face. Whether you rescued an orphaned litter from the street, your pet passed away during delivery, or a mother is not producing enough milk, the first question is always the same. What do I feed them, and how?
The short answer is never cow's milk. Cow's milk does not match the nutritional needs of kittens or puppies and often causes diarrhea, which can be dangerous for a very young animal. What they need instead is a proper milk replacer, formulated specifically to replace a mother's milk. This guide walks you through everything, from choosing the right product to a safe feeding schedule, so you can give an orphaned or weak kitten or puppy the best chance at a healthy start.
Why You Should Never Use Cow's Milk or Human Formula
Cow's milk is low in the specific proteins and fats that kittens and puppies need, and it contains lactose levels their digestive systems struggle to process. The result is almost always diarrhea, dehydration, and in severe cases, the loss of the animal. Human baby formula is also unsuitable, since it is balanced for a completely different digestive system. A proper kitten or puppy milk replacer is formulated to closely match the composition of their mother's actual milk, including the right ratio of protein, fat, and calories needed for rapid early growth.
Our Recommended Milk Replacer
For kittens and puppies in need of supplemental or full replacement feeding, we carry Pupp and Kitten Goat Milk Powder, priced at PKR 1,150. Goat milk based formulas are widely recommended by vets because goat milk is naturally easier to digest than cow milk and closely resembles the fat and protein profile of a nursing mother's milk. This makes it a safer, gentler option for a newborn's sensitive stomach, whether you are hand raising an entire litter or simply supplementing a mother who isn't producing quite enough.
How to Prepare and Feed Milk Replacer
Getting the preparation and feeding process right matters just as much as choosing the right product. Follow these steps closely.
Mixing: Always follow the exact ratio printed on the packaging. Most powdered milk replacers are mixed with warm water, and getting the ratio wrong, either too diluted or too concentrated, can cause digestive upset
Temperature: Warm the mixed formula to around body temperature before feeding. Test a drop on the inside of your wrist first, it should feel warm, not hot
Feeding tool: Use a proper nursing bottle or a small syringe for very weak newborns who cannot latch onto a bottle nipple
Position: Feed the kitten or puppy in a natural, stomach down position, similar to how they would nurse from their mother. Never feed them on their back, as this increases the risk of the formula entering their lungs
Hygiene: Sterilize the bottle and nipple before and after every feeding to avoid introducing infection to a vulnerable newborn
Feeding Schedule by Age
Newborns need to be fed far more frequently than most new caretakers expect. Here is a general guide, though you should always confirm exact amounts with a vet based on the individual animal's weight.
Newborn to 1 week old: Every 2 to 3 hours, including through the night
1 to 2 weeks old: Every 3 to 4 hours
2 to 4 weeks old: Every 4 to 6 hours, and you can begin introducing a small amount of soaked solid food around the 3 to 4 week mark
4 to 6 weeks old: Gradually begin the weaning process, offering formula alongside soft, moistened solid food until they transition fully
Signs the Feeding Is Working
A kitten or puppy that is being fed correctly should gain weight steadily day by day, have a warm body temperature, show interest in feeding at each scheduled time, and produce normal, formed stool. Weigh the animal daily using a simple kitchen scale if possible, since steady weight gain is the clearest sign that the feeding plan is working.
Warning Signs That Need a Vet Immediately
Refusing to feed for more than one missed feeding
Watery or very loose diarrhea
A cold body or a weak, limp feeling when picked up
Excessive crying that does not stop after feeding and warming
No weight gain, or weight loss, over several days
Newborn kittens and puppies have very little reserve, so any of these signs should be treated as urgent. Do not wait to see if things improve on their own.
Supporting Growth Once Weaning Begins
As kittens and puppies transition off milk replacer and onto solid food, their bones and joints are developing rapidly. Many vets recommend a calcium supplement during this growth phase, especially for larger breed puppies. Our Kelmax Calcium Supplement and Pcal D3 Syrup are both formulated to support healthy bone development during this stage, and are worth discussing with your vet as part of the weaning transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cow's milk in an emergency if nothing else is available?
It is strongly discouraged. If you are in a true emergency with no milk replacer on hand, a very small, diluted amount for a single feeding while you source proper formula is the lesser risk, but it should never be used as an ongoing feeding plan.
How do I know if a kitten or puppy actually needs milk replacer?
If the mother has passed away, rejected the litter, is producing insufficient milk, or if you have found an orphaned animal with no mother present, milk replacer is necessary. If the mother is present and nursing normally with healthy, steadily growing babies, supplementation usually isn't needed.
When can I fully stop milk replacer?
Most kittens and puppies are fully weaned onto solid food by around 6 to 8 weeks of age, though this varies by individual and breed. The transition should be gradual rather than sudden.
Is Cash on Delivery available for milk replacer orders?
Yes, same day Cash on Delivery is available in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. For other cities across Pakistan, delivery takes 2 to 5 working days.
Browse our full range of pet supplements, including milk replacer and growth support formulas, on the Supplements category page, with genuine products and fast delivery across Pakistan.
