The 5 Best Milk Replacers for Kittens to Promote Healthy Growth

Best Overall

PetAg KMR Kitten Milk Replacer

$32 at Amazon $12 at Chewy

$14

$12 at Petco

PetAg KMR Powder is considered the gold standard for kitten formula—one of the few approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)—and young cats on this kitten milk replacement can thrive. Made from cow’s milk, it is designed to mimic cat’s milk as closely as possible, providing developing newborn kittens and kittens up to six weeks old with the vital nutrients and calories for healthy growth. It also contains prebiotics and probiotics to support a healthy gut and can even double as a calorie and nutritional supplement for sick, malnourished, or lactating adult or senior cats.

Preparation only requires a bit of hot water, though it can be frustrating when the powder doesn’t dissolve and the clumps clog the bottle nipple. Unused portions can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours—just be sure to rewarm before serving. Compared to the liquid version, which must be refrigerated after opening and used entirely within 72 hours, this powder formula will stay shelf-stable for up to a year and last for two months on the shelf after opening, or three months in the refrigerator and up to six months in the freezer.

_{Primary Ingredients: Casein, vegetable oil, dried skim milk | Volume: 12 ounces}

Best Powder

Nutri-Vet Milk Replacer with Opti-Gut for Kittens

$28

$24 at Amazon $25 at Chewy

$29

$25 at Walmart

A solid powdered kitten milk product with a good track record when it comes to quality and effectiveness, this Nutri-Vet Milk Replacer stands out among other powdered kitten milk replacements because it typically dissolves more smoothly into warm water. Less clumping means you’ll have less hassle during preparation and feeding, which can be a gift when taking care of adorable but needy kittens up to six weeks old. It’s also less expensive than our best overall pick, which may be a deciding factor for budgeting pet parents.

The vet-formulated recipe contains all the essential vitamins, amino acids, and minerals tiny and growing kittens need to properly develop, along with a proprietary Opti-Gut probiotic formula to support gastrointestinal health, which can set them up with an immune advantage. It can also be used as a nutritional supplement for pregnant, nursing, or underweight cats. Fair warning: the flavor is not always a winner with the kitties—especially if they’ve started with a different type of formula—so transitioning can be rough and adult cats may need it to be mixed with their usual food. 

_{Primary Ingredients: Animal fat, vegetable fat, dried whey | Volume: 12 ounces}

Best for Weaning

PetAg KMR 2nd Step Kitten Weaning Formula Powder

$20 at Amazon

$25

$20 at Petco View on Tractor Supply Co.

This PetAg kitten milk replacer is specifically formulated to help your 6-to-8-week-old kitten graduate from formula to solid food. Unlike the traditional formula, which contains casein and vegetable fats for caloric density, the first ingredient in this weaning formula is rice flour. This is because you’ll be supplementing calories with solid wet or dry food.

Like the traditional PetAg KMR, it’s made with cow’s milk (there is no goat’s milk alternative for this one). An easy 3:1 preparation recipe creates a broth-like formula that—thankfully—should be served in a bowl. Whereas first-step kitten milk replacer can sometimes cause constipation, this weaning formula may cause diarrhea as your cat’s gut adjusts. 

_{Primary Ingredients: Rice flour, dried meat, dried milk | Volume: 14 ounces}

Best Value

Hartz Powdered Kitten Milk Replacer

$13

$13 at Amazon View on Chewy

Raising a newborn kitten, or any kitten for that matter, is expensive. Between vet visits, kitten-proofing your home, buying the necessary new-cat accessories, and attending to their voracious appetite, opting for a solid value kitten milk replacer can help buoy your budget. This Hartz Powdered Kitten Milk Replacer is accepted by most kittens and also works to add weight to underweight adult cats.

We like that, at a different mixing ratio, it can be used for weaning, though this may increase the risk of constipation and works best if you’ve been using it as your regular formula. The powder tends to dissolve well in warm water, especially if using a whisk or frother. The unused formula can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours, and once opened the entire container should be refrigerated and used within two months—however, it cannot be stored in the freezer like the PetAg KMR.

_{Primary Ingredients: Animal fat, vegetable fat, dried whey protein | Volume: 11 ounces}

Recommended on Reddit

Breeder's Edge Kitten Milk Replacer

$36 at Amazon

Across different forums on Reddit, such as FosterAnimals and catcare, Breeder's Edge is a popular choice amongst users, with some even favoring it over our top pick PetAg KMR. Several commenters think Breeder's Edge is on par with PetAg KMR in terms of high-quality nutrition but better for kittens with sensitive tummies and less likely to cause diarrhea. Other users note rescue shelters' preference for Breeder's Edge because "it has a longer shelf life and doesn't need to be refrigerated."

Not having to be refrigerated also means fewer clumps, making Breeder's Edge Foster Care Kitten Milk Replacer easier to blend—just dissolve the powder in warm water. Plus, fans of the formula like that it contains probiotics for digestive health and whey protein to promote steady weight gain, which is vital for malnourished, at-risk rescue kittens. However, it should be noted that while this kitten milk replacement powder is great for preventing diarrhea, it may not be the best choice for kittens prone to constipation and can, in some cases, cause more blockage.

_{Primary Ingredients: Dried whey protein concentrate, animal fat, vegetable oil | Volume: 12 ounces}