What is the Kitten Milk Replacer Calculator?
Orphaned or hand-reared kittens need a commercial kitten milk replacer (KMR) because cow's milk lacks the protein and fat they require and often causes diarrhea. This calculator estimates how much reconstituted KMR to offer each day and how to split that into individual feedings, using a widely cited guideline of roughly 20 mL of milk replacer per 100 g of body weight per day.
How to use it
Weigh your kitten on a kitchen or gram scale and enter the weight in grams. Then enter how many feedings you plan per day. Newborns (week 1) usually feed every 2–3 hours (about 8–10 feedings), tapering to 4–5 feedings by weeks 3–4. The calculator returns the total daily volume and the amount per feeding.
The formula explained
The estimate is based on energy needs: a neonatal kitten needs roughly 22–26 kcal per 100 g of body weight daily, and most reconstituted KMR supplies about 1 kcal/mL, which works out to close to 0.20 mL per gram of body weight. So daily mL = weight (g) \(\times 0.20\), and per-feeding mL = daily mL \(\div\) feedings.
$$\text{mL per Feeding} = \frac{0.20 \times \text{Weight (g)}}{\text{Feedings per Day}}$$
Worked example
A 200 g kitten: daily volume = \(200 \times 0.20 = 40\) mL/day. Split across 5 feedings, that is $$40 \div 5 = 8 \text{ mL per feeding.}$$
FAQ
Is this a substitute for a vet? No. This is an estimate. Always follow the mixing and feeding directions on your KMR product and consult a veterinarian, especially for sick or premature kittens.
How warm should the milk be? Warm KMR to about body temperature (around 38 °C / 100 °F) and never microwave it directly.
What if the kitten won't finish the amount? Don't force feed. Feed slowly, watch for a rounded but not bloated belly, and weigh daily to confirm steady weight gain.
