After caring for kittens and other animals over the last 21 years) you learn a few tips and tricks here and there. Especially not living 3000 feets in the mountains you are forced to learn a few more things as you may not be able to get the vet, the emergency vet is far away or you are snowed in. Numerous situations can warrant Breeder intervention in order to support and raise your kittens to the best of your ability. Below you will find a few of our homemade recipes that may be helpful in a sticky situation or for general raising of your kittens.
This a great recipe for supplementing young kittens or weaning them on to a raw diet. It is even perfect for older cats that may be ill and need an extra boost or easy to consume food for syringe/tube feeding. It is a complete diet with added boosters to encourage growth, appetite and energy in kittens that may not be thriving 100% or help weaning kittens jump over that post weaning stage where they are developing their own immune system away from the antibodies in mom’s milk. You will need the following:
Complete Raw Chicken Recipe
-This can be a homemade recipe or a premade product. You just want to make sure its complete following the ideal Prey Model ratios of 80% muscle meat, 5% liver 5% other secreting organs and 10% bone. The following is a list of approved Prey Model Raw Pre-Made Food Suppliers. Chicken is typically liked by almost all carnivore companions and it's easy to digest.
Raw Goats Milk -While not 100% similar in nutrient profile as cats’ milk, it comes fairly close. It adds many nutrient benefits, taste and helps to make the glop most fluid for easier consumption either for cats/kittens on their own or by syringe. We often have a stock of goats milk cubes we have made in our silicone molds in the freezer. This makes it easier to portion and defrost smaller amounts when we need it.
Raw Bovine Colostrum
-Bovine colostrum is backed by many studies documenting it’s immune boosting and other healing benefits. Most studies document bovine colostrum considering its the easiest to obtain but sheep and buffalo colostrum as well. We often have a stock of colostrum cubes we have made in our silicone molds in the freezer. This makes it easier to portion and defrost smaller amounts when we need it.
Kefir -Kefir is a high strength more natural probiotic that contains up to 61 strains of bacteria and yeasts helping the microbiome of the gut flora which means it also aids the gut flora to settle upset stomachs and loose stool. You can make it yourself with kefir grains (not actually grain) or you can buy some at the store. A plain unflavored variety like Lifeway is a great option.We often have a stock of colostrum cubes we have made in our silicone molds in the freezer. This makes it easier to portion and defrost smaller amounts when we need it.
Naturvet Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotic -This product also aids in digestion and helping kittens and cats more readily digest what they are consuming to utilize the nutrients better helping them to heal faster. It also can help restore the gut flora and help resolve loose stool.
CATalyst Antioxidant Enzyme Formula -This product from The Two Crazy Cat Ladies. It is a blend of Not only is it designed to target many areas of function including reducing free radicals, it is perfect for digestion as well as immune support
HAMPL Pet Formulas Liposomal C Liquid -This is a very potent and readily available form of Vitamin C that has a very high (90%) absorption rate. It is also an Antibiotic, anti-toxin, anti-oxidant, antihistamine, anti-viral. This product company is located in Australia but they ship quickly and are low cost. It is more of a concentrate so one dose (1 teaspoon of Liposomal C) needs to be mixed with 20 mL of water.
Homemade Electrolyte Solution *See below for the recipe -The helps prevent dehydration from vomiting and loose stools, restore electrolytes and fluids and allow the body to function while healing. This solution also further helps the Kitten Glop be more liquid for easy consumption and syringe feedings.
The preparation is pretty simple. Simply add all ingredients to a blend, and blend until smooth. Either let your kittens and cats eat freely from this or use syringes to syringe feed. To heat DO NOT heating in a microwave instead bring to lukewarm temperature in a bowl of warm water. You do not want to shock the system or make it work harder, taking away energy stores from the healing process.
You can store this in the refrigerator but be aware of the time you keep it in there. There are technically no preservatives in this product and you do not want it going bad while you heal your cats/kittens.
This solution is easy and inexpensive to make with regular household items that you have in the pantry. It is also a natural alternative to Pedialyte, Gatorade and other sports/energy drinks and electrolyte solutions that may be loaded with sugar, dyes and other unfavorable ingredients.
You will need the following:
Water
-This is obviously important in general for staying hydrated but added electrolytes in the form of salts and sugars help to the body absorb the water more readily.
Raw Sugar
-Helps to increase water absorption as well as maintain blood sugar level and energy in the body
Pink Himalayan Salt
-Salt is important for restoring hydration and balance to the body. It improves electrolyte concentrations. Pink Himalayan salt is some of the purest salts with tons of naturally occurring trace minerals
Mix all ingredients together until
completely dissolved. You can give this orally or injected if you ave really small kittens and a bag of lactated ringers are too much. Make sure the solution is warm as to not shock the system or waste valuable energy needed to healing. DO NOT heat in a microwave.
This recipe is designed to create a quick energy shot and digestive booster for those that may be vomiting or having other stomach upset
You will need the following:
Live Wise Naturals Liquid Vitamin B-12 -Vitamin B-12 is a nature appetite stimulant and helps to metabolize proteins, fats, and carbohydrates
Naturvet Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotic -This product also aids in digestion and helping kittens and cats more readily digest what they are consuming to utilize the nutrients better helping them to heal faster. It also can help restore the gut flora and help resolve loose stool.
Water -this provides a more liquidy end product that is easy to syringe right into the mouth. You don’t want too much just enough to dissolve the digestive aid and enough to make the product a liquid versus a paste.
Mix these ingredients together and give about 1 mL orally. Your cat or kitten in most cases will want to eat within about 20 minutes and in the long run will help soothe their upset tummy.
rosemary if your companion is prone to seizures
Freeze Dried Kakadu Plum. This plum extract is from Australia but it is super powerful! Just a small amount contains more Vitamin C (a natural antioxidant) than 1 whole orange! It can also help with skin damage, is an antiseptic, helps form red blood cells, bones, connective tissue, and enzyme for aiding the immune system and fetal development, can help fight cancer, inflammatory diseases, and has antibacterial properties.
CATalyst- This product from The Two Crazy Cat Ladies is fantastic for many things. It contains Lipase, Amylase, Catalase, Protease and Superoxide Dismutase that help break down and absorb more nutrients as well as keep the gut in check and healthy which is the prime location of the immune system. In addition to immune-boosting properties, it helps with joint and arthritic pain, skin and coat health, Pancreatitis, Diabetes, hyperthyroidism, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, kidney disease, and more!
Cat Calm is another product from the Two Crazy Cat Ladies full of 80 herbs, 21 minerals, and 7 plant extracts. When I was doing research on respiratory conditions almost every single natural plant or herb I looked up was found in this product! It can also aid in anxiety (food and environmental) stresses.
Naturvet Digestive Enzymes + prebiotic + probiotic (follow package instruction based of food intake) not only is this a digestive aid full of enzymes but its also a prebiotic and a probiotic.
Green Eggs is a new product I have discovered that contains Green Lipped Mussel which is full of omega 3 fatty acids and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Eggshell Membrane is important for the joints. It also contains small amounts of chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and other nutrients., Poria mushroom which is also an anti-inflammatory as well as aids in urinary, digestive, and respiratory issues. And finally, curcumin that supports brain and joint health. It is a known anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, lower risks of heart disease, and helps prevent cancer.