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Feeding Kittens from Birth to Weaning 419

Table 23-3. Nutrient comparison among queen’s colostrum, queen’s milk and milk of selected species.
VetBooks.ir Nutrients Queen’s colostrum* Queen’s milk* Bitch’s milk** Cow’s milk*** Goat’s milk***
Moisture (g/100 g)
13
Dry matter (g/100 g) – – 79 77.3 87.7 87.0
12.3
22.7
21
Crude protein (g/100 g) 8.3 7.5 7.5 3.3 3.6
Arginine (mg/100 g) 357 347 420 119 119
Taurine (mg/100 g) 26 27 – 0.13 –
Methionine (mg/100 g) 202 188 – 82 80
Crude fat (g/100 g) 9.3 8.5 9.5 3.6 4.1
Lactose (g/100 g) 3.0 4.0 3.3 4.7 4.0
Minerals
Calcium (mg/100 g) 46 180 240 119 133
Phosphorus (mg/100 g) 114 162 180 93 111
Potassium (mg/100 g) – 103 120 150 204
Magnesium (mg/100 g) 11 9 11 14 14
Copper (mg/100 g) 0.04 0.11 0.33 – –
Iron (mg/100 g) 0.19 0.35 0.70 0.05 0.05
ME (kcal/100 g) 130 121 146 64 69
ME (kJ/100 g) 544 506 610 268 288
Key: ME = metabolizable energy.
*Adapted from Adkins Y, Zicker SC, Lepine A, et al. Changes in nutrient and protein composition of cat milk during lactation. American
Journal of Veterinary Research 1997; 58: 370-375. Zottman B, Dobenecker B, Kienzle E, et al. Investigations on milk composition and milk
yield in queens (abstract). In: Proceedings. The Waltham International Symposium, Orlando, FL, 1997.
**Adapted from Meyer H, Kienzle E, Dammers C. Milchmenge und Milchzusammensetzung bei und Hündin sowie Futteraufnahme und
Gewichtsenwicklung ante und post partum.Fortschritte in der Tierphysiologie und tierernährung (Advances in Animal Physiology and
Animal Nutrition) 1985; Suppl. No. 16: 51-72.
***Adapted from Pennington JA. Food Values of Portions Commonly Used. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 1989.

copper and magnesium concentrations decline. Early studies of queen’s milk provides local concentrations of immunoglob-
reported very low calcium concentrations and calcium-phos- ulins within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and helps prevent
phorus ratios of 0.5:1 in queen’s milk. These values likely rep- invasion of microorganisms into the bloodstream (passive
resent colostral milk (calcium-phosphorus ratio = 0.4:1) local immunity). Local immunity persists as long as kittens
(Baines, 1981). Recent studies of queen’s milk report calcium- receive queen’s milk. Both systemic and local immunity are
phosphorus ratios between 0.8:1 to 1:1 on Day 7; ratios reach important in maintaining kitten health until maturation of
1.2:1 by late lactation (Dobenecker et al, 1998; Adkins et al, the kittens’ immune system.
1997). The variation in nutrient content with time probably Mature milk is a complete food for nursing kittens. Water,
explains the discrepancy in milk composition published by protein, fat, lactose, minerals and vitamins are provided in
different investigators. Different values probably represent amounts sufficient for normal growth and development. As
milk from different stages of lactation. mentioned previously, mature milk may sustain high
In addition to providing complete nutrition for nursing kit- immunoglobulin levels similar to those provided by colostrum.
tens, queen’s milk also supplies non-nutritive factors that Continued nursing provides high immunoglobulin levels for
enhance food digestion, neonatal development and immune passive local immunity. Thus, the major feature differentiating
protection. The immunoglobulin concentration of cat mature queen’s milk from colostrum is the nutrient content
colostrum and mature milk may not be significantly different (Table 23-3). As lactation progresses, milk energy, protein, lac-
as they are in most species (Casal et al, 1996). More studies tose, calcium and phosphorus levels increase whereas copper,
are needed to further evaluate this difference; a decline in iron and magnesium concentrations decrease (Adkins et al,
immunoglobulin concentrations and an increased casein- 1997). The amino acid profiles of colostrum and mature milk
whey ratio with time contradict this finding (Adkins et al, also differ. Notable features include the relatively high concen-
1997). Regardless, kittens acquire passive systemic and local trations of arginine and taurine in queen’s milk, which likely
immunity from ingesting either colostrum or mature milk reflect the unique metabolism of cats.
(Casal et al, 1996). Kittens should receive colostrum within The nutrient requirements of nursing kittens have not been
the first 12 hours of life to obtain adequate systemic immuni- well studied. Although the nutrient profile of queen’s milk is
ty; after 16 hours, passive immunoglobulin transfer does not thought to provide optimal nutrition, faster growth rates are
occur in kittens (Casal et al, 1996). During this time, kittens typically observed in kittens fed milk replacers (Remillard et al,
absorb intact immunoglobulins across the intestine. Failure to 1993). Nevertheless, nutrient recommendations for neonates
ingest colostrum or queen’s milk during this absorptive win- are based on the composition of queen’s milk and growth stud-
dow leaves kittens immunologically compromised and sus- ies in weaned kittens. Despite discrepancies in published nutri-
ceptible to infections and sepsis. Passive transfer of systemic ent values, queen’s milk varies markedly from milk of other
immunity is particularly important to orphaned and hand- species (Table 23-3). Consequently, milk from other species is
raised kittens that are fed only milk replacers. Consumption unsuitable for nursing kittens.