Kitten Milk Replacers Recalled Over Dangerous Deficiencies

PetGuide Staff
by PetGuide Staff

(photo credit: Tom Wang/shutterstock.com)


Revival Animal Health is pulling two of its feline milk replacement lines from the market nationwide after testing found dangerously low levels of nutrients that vulnerable kittens depend on to survive.


I once took in a pregnant stray that gave birth to four kittens within days of coming indoors. Let me tell you, those newborns were voracious eaters who clearly needed every bit of nutrition they could get in order to grow into healthy, active kittens. Okay, yes I kept them all, but that's not the point. At issue here is how critical it is for young, vulnerable animals who may not have access to a mother's nutrient-rich milk, to be consuming a top-quality product that delivers the benefits they need.


Enter the U.S. Food and Drug Administration who reportedly called foul on the Revival Animal Health, of Orange City, Indiana. Due to lower-than-required potassium, copper, folic acid, choline and/or pyridoxine (vitamin B6). As a result, the organization was quick to voluntarily recall its Breeder's Edge and Shelter's Choice Feline Milk


You see, newborn kittens up to 28 days of age, need these vitamins and minerals in order to not only thrive, but actually survive. According to the FDA, milk replacer that runs short on copper, potassium, vitamin B6, folic acid and choline exposes kittens to compounding, multi-system dangers, including anemia, neurological dysfunction, liver failure, kidney damage, skeletal diseases and cardiac compromise.


Because their organ systems are still immature, tiny kittens grow at a rapid pace, and rely entirely on milk as their single source of nutrients. The impact of being deficit in these important vitamins and minerals can be seen within days to a few weeks and leave permanent organ damage or be fatal if not caught in time.


While no illnesses have been tied to these products, the supplier says it is investigating a few complaints of potential gastrointestinal and bone development issues. Therefore, any pet parent whose kitten consumed a recalled product and is showing clinical signs should contact a veterinarian right away.


The recalled products were sold nationwide, both online and in retail pet stores, packaged in multiple sizes of stand-up resealable bags and 12-ounce jars and include:

  • Shelter's Choice Feline Milk Replacer, 1 lb. (UPC 817160011032), Best By 10/31/2026, 4/23/2027, 5/01/2027, 5/20/2027, 6/25/2027, 2/05/2028, 3/12/2028
  • Shelter's Choice Feline Milk Replacer, 3.5 lb. (UPC 817160011049), Best By 10/31/2026, 5/20/2027, 6/25/2027, 8/06/2027
  • Shelter's Choice Feline Milk Replacer, 8 lb. (UPC 817160011063), Best By 9/09/2026, 10/31/2026, 5/20/2027, 6/25/2027, 8/06/2027, 3/12/2028
  • Breeder's Edge Foster Care Feline Milk Replacer, 12 oz (UPC 817160010196), Best By 9/09/2026, 4/16/2027, 4/18/2027, 6/25/2027, 8/06/2027, 3/12/2028
  • Breeder's Edge Foster Care Feline Milk Replacer, 18 lb. (UPC 817160011278), Best By 9/09/2026, 4/23/2027, 5/01/2027, 5/20/2027, 6/25/2027, 8/06/2027, 11/14/2027, 3/12/2028
  • Breeder's Edge Foster Care Feline Milk Replacer, 4.5 lb. (UPC 817160010103), Best By 4/18/2027, 5/1/2027


Anyone who purchased a recalled product should stop feeding it immediately and contact the company to return it for a full refund. Consumers with questions can reach Revival Animal Health at 1-877-870-4059, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT.


According to Revival, the recall traces back to test results that suggested a possible nutrient deficiency in one lot of a Feline Milk Replacer product. Taking a proactive approach, they then conducted their own confirmatory testing across multiple lots. An independent animal nutritionist analyzed those results and that is what led to a voluntary recall which Revival attributes to third-party manufacturing inconsistencies.


As a result, Revival Animal Health confirmed it has since discontinued its relationship with the contracted manufacturer responsible for producing the affected products.

PetGuide Staff
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