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My mother cat has just had 6 kittens. I’m not sure if the mother is producing enough milk for the kittens. I’ve squeezed her nipples all the way up until delivery and I have no seen any milk.. what should I do?

My mother cat has just had 6 kittens. I’m not sure if the mother is producing enough milk for the kittens. I’ve squeezed her nipples all the way up until delivery and I have no seen any milk.. what should I do?

Updated On March 1st, 2020

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 7 months and 13 days old | 3 lbs

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Answered By Anna M., DVM

Veterinarian

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Hello, and thanks for your question on PetCoach. Congratulations - they're so cute! The first milk that your cat produces is colostrum - which is thicker than normal milk and produced in a smaller quantity, but is very important for the kitten's immune systems. So, it may not be very obvious if you're trying to express her nipples. Watch those kittens closely - are they latching, can you see them swallowing, and do they seem to detach and sleep, or are they crying when they detach? If they seem to be drinking, then mom is probably producing what she needs. I recommend having a good small scale on hand (like for cooking, or a postage scale) so you can weigh the kittens daily and make sure they're gaining weight. And, of course, if you're concerned - I recommend bringing them by your vet, who should be able to offer more guidance and make sure mom and kittens appear healthy. Hope this helps! Congrats on your new additions.

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