Koalas
Specialist nutrition for orphaned koala joeys
Koala joeys are extremely sensitive. Keep warm, dark, and quiet. Do not attempt to feed until the animal is warm and assessed by a trained carer or vet. Contact a koala-experienced wildlife rescue group immediately.
Quick Reference
Koala joeys have unique nutritional requirements that reflect the natural progression of koala milk during lactation. Koala milk is relatively high in fat even in early lactation compared to other marsupials, and the composition continues to shift as the joey develops and begins supplementing its diet with leaf material. Biolac formulas support koala joeys through each stage of growth.
Starter 100 Plus / Starter 100
Transition 150 (M150)
Weaning 200 (M200)
Growth & Development
Koala development is slow compared to other marsupials. Joeys remain in the pouch for around 6–7 months before gradually emerging. Individual joeys develop at different rates — base transitions on physical development and condition rather than age alone.
Neonatal / Furless
Eyes closed, no fur, fully pouch-dependent. Very small and fragile. Maintain a stable warm environment.
Fine Fur Developing
Fur begins to develop, eyes may start to open. Joey is becoming more active within the pouch. Koala joeys typically begin to peek out of the pouch from around 22 weeks of age.
Full Fur / Eating Leaves
Dense fur established, joey begins to emerge from the pouch and sample leaf material. This is an important stage for gut microbiome development. Offer a variety of eucalyptus species where possible.
Pre-Weaning
Joey spending significant time outside the pouch, actively eating leaf material alongside milk feeds. Milk intake gradually reduces as leaf consumption increases.
Care Guide
Which Product Do I Start With?
If a young koala joey has just come into care, begin with Biolac Starter 100 Plus. This formula contains added galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) to support gut health and is specifically suited to neonates, compromised animals, and joeys undergoing rehabilitation. Keep the joey on Starter 100 Plus until it is feeding well, faecal output is consistent for its age, and it has stabilised in your care.
Older animals that are stable may go straight onto the appropriate formula for their stage of development.
Once stable, transition to Biolac Starter 100 for ongoing early-stage feeding. There is no need for a formal transition between Starter 100 Plus and Starter 100, as both are mixed at the same rate and have the same nutritional profile.
How to Prepare Biolac Formula
1. Weigh the required amount of powder using accurate scales (a kitchen scale reading to 0.1g is ideal for small joeys).
2. Place the powder into a clean container and add a small amount of pre-boiled warm water (not boiling). Mix into a smooth paste first to prevent lumps.
3. Add the remaining water and stir or shake well until fully dissolved.
4. Warm the prepared formula gently in a warm water bath to approximately body temperature before feeding.
5. Test the temperature on the inside of your wrist. It should feel warm, not hot.
Important Preparation Notes
Always use pre-boiled water that has been allowed to cool. Boiling water can damage nutrients in the formula. Do not microwave prepared formula — always warm in a water bath. Shake or stir prepared formula well before each feed.
Refrigerate any unused formula and use within 24 hours. Discard after this time. Once opened, reseal tightly and store in a cool, dry place. Use within 3 months.
Do not add extra water to dilute the formula unless directed by a veterinarian. Do not supplement Biolac with additional vitamins or minerals — over-supplementation (particularly vitamins A and D) can cause toxicity.
Tips for Feeding Koala Joeys
Koala joeys are sensitive animals. Feed in a calm, quiet environment and minimise unnecessary handling. Use an appropriately sized teat for your joey's size. Allow the joey to feed at its own pace — do not force milk.
After feeding, gently stimulate younger joeys to toilet by wiping the cloacal area with a warm, damp cloth. Monitor faecal consistency at every feed — healthy koala joey faeces should be soft and paste-like in young joeys, becoming firmer as they grow.
Weigh your joey regularly and adjust feed volumes according to weight. Koala joeys receiving Transition 150 or Weaning 200 should have access to appropriate eucalyptus leaf material. Introduce leaves gradually and offer a variety of species where possible to encourage browsing behaviour.
Always seek veterinary guidance for koala joeys with compromised health. Koalas can be particularly sensitive to digestive disturbance.
How to Transition Between Formulas
When your joey is ready for the next formula, transition gradually over 5 days. This allows the digestive system to adjust to the change in nutrient composition.
Starter 100 → Transition 150 (per 100ml prepared formula):
Day 1: 13.5g Starter 100 + 4.5g Transition 150
Day 2: 9g Starter 100 + 9g Transition 150
Day 3: 4.5g Starter 100 + 13.5g Transition 150
Day 4: 18g Transition 150 only
Day 5: Maintain 18g Transition 150 per 100ml
Transition 150 → Weaning 200: Follow the same 5-day schedule.
If diarrhoea, constipation, or bloating occurs, pause and hold at the current step. Koalas can be particularly sensitive to formula changes. Never rush a transition.
Calculating Feed Volumes
Weigh your joey in grams and multiply by the feeding rate for the current formula:
Starter 100 / Starter 100 Plus: multiply by 0.13 (13%)
Transition 150: multiply by 0.12 (12%)
Weaning 200: multiply by 0.10 (10%)
Divide the total daily volume by the number of feeds per day.
Example: A 500g joey on Starter 100 = 500 × 0.13 = 65ml per day ÷ 6 feeds = 10.8ml per feed.
Example: A 1.2kg joey on Transition 150 = 1200 × 0.12 = 144ml per day ÷ 5 feeds = 28.8ml per feed.
Example: A 2kg joey on Weaning 200 = 2000 × 0.10 = 200ml per day ÷ 4 feeds = 50ml per feed.
Transitioning Off Milk
As your koala joey grows and begins eating increasing amounts of eucalyptus leaf, milk feeds can be gradually reduced. During the Weaning 200 stage, ensure the joey has constant access to fresh, appropriate eucalyptus species and clean water.
Reduce the number of daily feeds as leaf consumption increases — from 4 feeds down to 3, then 2, then 1 per day. Once the joey is browsing well, maintaining healthy weight gain, and producing normal faecal output, milk can be discontinued.
Transitioning Between Formulas
When your joey is ready for the next formula, transition gradually over 5 days by blending the current and next formula. Koalas can be particularly sensitive to formula changes — monitor closely for any changes in droppings and never rush a transition.
Important Notes
Koalas are highly specialised animals. If you find an orphaned koala joey, contact a koala-experienced wildlife rescue group immediately. Koalas require experienced handlers and veterinary oversight.
Koala joeys receiving Transition 150 or Weaning 200 should have access to appropriate eucalyptus leaf material. Introduce leaves gradually and offer a variety of species where possible. Leaf access is essential for gut microbiome development. Consult an experienced koala carer for species suitable in your area.
Do not supplement Biolac with additional vitamins or minerals. Over-supplementation, particularly vitamins A and D, can cause toxicity. Biolac formulas are nutritionally complete for their intended stage.
Koala joeys typically begin to peek out of the pouch from around 22 weeks of age, with full pouch emergence occurring gradually from around 6 to 7 months. Individual joeys develop at different rates. Base transitions on physical development and condition rather than age alone.
Not sure which formula?
Our Product Advisor helps you find the right Biolac formula based on your animal's species and weight.