Pregnancy care and feeding principles for female cats

Dec 16,2023
6Min

In our real life, many friends keep pet cats at home, but when the cat has a loss of appetite and does not like to eat, are you confused? This is very likely that the cat is pregnant. We can get pregnant through cats Determine whether you are pregnant based on symptoms. At the same time, we must also actively master the principles of pregnancy care and feeding for female cats.

1. Steps to take care of a pregnant cat

1. Detect the signs of pregnancy

The first sign of pregnancy in cats is that the color of the nipples changes from light pink to dark pink, and the hair next to the nipples will fall off, making the nipples appear particularly prominent. These symptoms should appear within 3 weeks of mating and 3-4 weeks after conception.

2. Check whether you are pregnant

If your belly appears obviously spherical, you can do an examination to determine whether you are pregnant. If necessary, ultrasound can be taken to see the fetus within 2-3 weeks; X-ray can be taken to check the number of fetuses 5 and a half weeks after pregnancy.

3. Care by the owner

The pregnancy period of cats is about 63-66 days, but some may last as long as 71 days. If the baby is born prematurely, most are stillborn or die soon after delivery. Pregnant female cats will need more protein and calories, and their intake should focus on balanced nutrition.

4. Nutritional supplements during pregnancy

High-quality proteins, such as dairy products, eggs and meat, can be added to dry feed to increase the protein content and taste of the food without destroying the nutritional balance.

Experts explain: Feeding portion should gradually increase with pregnancy. By the end of pregnancy, you should eat twice as much as before pregnancy.

2. Diet during pregnancy and postpartum

1. Cat diet during pregnancy

(1) Supplement high nutritional food

Supplement high-quality protein, calcium, and calories. For example, dairy products, meat, small fish, cooked eggs, etc. are mixed into dry food and fed. One serving of food must contain at least 30% protein.

(2) Dry food for pregnancy

Switch to dry food specially designed for pregnant cats, reduce the amount of nutritional supplements, and occasionally add canned meat. Other nutritional supplements include special milk powder for kittens, calcium powder for dogs and cats, vitamins prescribed by doctors, etc.

(3) Increase the frequency of eating

Towards the end of pregnancy, it is impossible for cats to eat the nutrients they need in two meals a day, so they need to increase the number of meals. Leave a bowl of dry food or non-perishable food when you go out so your cat can eat freely.

(4) Avoid eating too much and getting fat

The diet during pregnancy should be nutritionally balanced and of sufficient portion. Although you need to supplement, you should not eat too fat, which will cause difficulties in childbirth.

2. Postpartum diet

(1) Follow the prenatal diet

In the first two or three days after giving birth, eat dry food according to the amount during pregnancy. Breastfeeding female cats also need high protein and calories. As the kittens begin to grow up, the mother cat needs more nutrients due to breastfeeding, and her food intake may even be 3 to 4 times more than during pregnancy, so don't be afraid too much.

(2) Fresh and sufficient water

Provide fresh and sufficient water, and do not put away the water basin. Producing milk for a group of kittens waiting to be fed requires a lot of water.

(3) Adequate nutritional calories

Adequate nutrition and calories are more important than portion size. If the food contains too much indigestible fiber, the female cat will have to eat more in order to absorb enough nutrients, resulting in diarrhea or a lot of defecation.

When your cat's nipples are dark pink, particularly prominent, and have a restless personality, after confirming that the cat is pregnant, you must provide the cat with more nutrition, which can increase the number of times the cat eats, and at the same time ensure nutrition. In a balanced way, you can give your cat more dairy products, eggs and meat.

Previous article:What should you pay attention to before and after your cat is vaccinated?
Next article:What should I do if the kitten doesn’t have breast milk?
Related articles