Cats need special care during pregnancy because they need more nutrients to provide for the growth of themselves and their fetus. So under what circumstances does a cat become pregnant? What should you pay attention to in terms of diet and care if you are pregnant? Let’s learn about it together.

1. Determine changes in cat pregnancy

1. If you are in heat, you are not pregnant

After a female cat in estrus is naturally bred or artificially inseminated, the egg meets the sperm in the fallopian tube, and the fertilization process is completed. After fertilization, the pregnant female cat will no longer have sexual cycles. If she is not pregnant, she will usually go into estrus again in about 21 days.

2. Pregnant women do not like activities

After pregnancy, female cats become cautious and cautious, and their food intake gradually increases. They like to lie in a quiet, warm and bright place to rest rather than be active.

3. Changes in sexual characteristics

Nipples turn red, called pinking, which occurs around the third week of pregnancy. After pregnancy, I spend more time sleeping and like to lie down straight to sleep. After 20 days of pregnancy, the color of my nipples gradually turns pink and my breasts begin to enlarge.

4. Be careful when touching the fetus

About one month into pregnancy, the abdominal circumference begins to increase. After one month of pregnancy, a spherical embryo with certain elasticity can be felt by careful touch. About 50 days into pregnancy, the fetus has developed and formed, and the fetus can be clearly felt when touched.

However, you should be careful when palpating, and avoid using rough movements or pressing hard to avoid embryonic death and miscarriage.

5. Hormonal changes

Pregnant female cats may become gentle or rough. Due to the physical discomfort caused by hormonal changes, she will feel helpless, resent other cats being near her, and may even become aggressive towards her closest feline companions.

This is a normal reaction, don't punish her for it. You can place her in a separate room away from other pets until this stage passes.

2. Key points of dietary supplementation for pregnant cats

1. Moderate nutritional supplement

In the early stages of pregnancy, it is not recommended to excessively supplement and increase nutrition to prevent overnutrition and excessive fetal development. Excess nutrition can cause some health problems, and a fetus that is too large can cause dystocia during delivery.

Just feed kitten food or special food for pregnant cats.

2. Supplement appropriate amounts of calcium

The mid-term is 4-5 weeks after successful mating. At this stage, the embryo is in the development stage. You can feed some canned or meat with higher protein content (chicken or beef cooked in plain water), but not too much. Calcium should also be supplemented in an appropriate amount.

3. Supplement high protein

Late stageDuring the 6-7 weeks after mating is successful, foods with high calcium and protein content should be supplemented, such as calcium tablets or powder specifically for pets.

You can also feed fish meat (crucian carp is best) cooked in plain water and cooked together in a pressure cooker. The fish soup will be milky white.

3. Daily precautions for pregnant female cats

1. Pregnancy aid cleaning

Cleaning and Bathing Cats love to be clean, and this characteristic is even more obvious for cats during pregnancy. Parents should frequently comb and massage pregnant cats, and bathe them within 30 days of pregnancy.

Before a female cat gives birth, her belly is very large and it is difficult for her to bend down and lick her butt. You need to use a soft cloth and warm water to gently clean her anus and vagina.

2. Exercise appropriately

The cat’s activities should be appropriately restricted during pregnancy, but proper cat exercise is also necessary.

Taking the cat out in your free time can help promote blood circulation, enhance bone strength, and reserve the cat's ability when giving birth.

3. It is prohibited to use drugs indiscriminately

Finally, we would like to remind pet owners that pregnant cats must not use medicine casually. If they are really sick, they must be seen by a professional doctor. Indiscriminate use of medication can easily cause fetal malformation, and even threaten the life of your cat.