Cat Food For Pregnant Cat

What Are The Nutritional Requirements Of A Pregnant Cat

During pregnancy, a cat’s body must have enough energy to ensure the proper fetal development of the kittens. A pregnant cat needs an additional supply of energy, that is, of calories, which should be increased primarily through animal protein.

It is also important to increase her fat reserves in order to prepare for lactation. Unlike what happens during a dog’s pregnancy, a cat will find it very difficult to keep a percentage of body fat close to the 25% required for milk production. Therefore, the cat food supplied during pregnancy should ensure a higher fat intake.

A pregnant cat also needs an extraordinary contribution of calcium, an important mineral for the fetal development of the kittens. When you look for feed to sustain the best diet for a pregnant cat, make sure it has a high percentage of calcium.

Caring For Pregnant Cats

If your cat is pregnant, youll need to take the necessary steps to ensure she is happy and healthy throughout her pregnancy. Firstly, pregnant cats eat more food to keep their calorie intake up. Check that your cat is eating a cat food rich in vitamins and nutrients to give her and her unborn litter the strength they need. From about three weeks into her pregnancy your cat will need a diet formulated for kittens, as it contains the higher nutrient density essential for the energy and nutrient drain that is gestation. You will also need to keep up with your cats medical treatments to protect her kittens from any potential issues, including fleas and worms. It is vital to check with a vet before treatment, as some treatments are unsafe to administer during pregnancy. Next, prepare your home for the impending birth. Cats tend to go into nesting mode a couple of weeks before they give birth, so try to find a quiet, secluded spot where your cat will be out of the way of household noise. You could use a cardboard box with a low opening and some old towels or blankets inside and encourage your cat to visit the box regularly so she gets used to the area. However, dont be surprised if she rejects your special bed for somewhere else cats give birth where they choose to, and have long been known to give birth under beds or in cupboards! Its important not to attempt to move her back to the original spot, as this may cause her unnecessary distress.

Purina Beyond Natural Grain Free Ocean Whitefish & Egg Recipe

• Real whitefish is 1st ingredient
• Made without corn, wheat or soy
• Grain free

• High in sodium
• On the high side of budget type food

Beyond by Purina dry cat food recipe contains real poultry and fish as the number one ingredients. There is no corn, wheat or soy, poultry by-product meal, or added artificial colors, flavors or preservatives in this recipe.

There is added Taurine, as well as vitamin E & A to help support normal heart muscle function and eyesight. This recipe is grain and gluten-free, and maybe beneficial for cats with sensitivities.

This high-protein dry cat food is 100% complete and balanced with high-quality ingredients and would be a cost effective meal choice for feral cats.

Recommended Reading: Blue Buffalo Low Calorie Cat Food

The 10 Best Cat Foods For Nursing Mothers

One of your biggest responsibilities as a pet parent is choosing a pet food. Pregnant and nursing cats have unique nutrient and energy requirements, so dont take this decision lightly! We know its tough to sort through all of the different cat foods out there which is why weve taken it upon ourselves to help you out. Here are some of the best options on the market worthy of your consideration:

Q Can A Pregnant Cat Feed Kittens

A. Usually your cats will behave sensitively as long as you provide them with adequate food and they will not have any problem if they get enough food.

We know that kittens need extra nutrition during early development. Start feeding your pregnant cat with a kitten formula from the fourth week of pregnancy. This will improve their health and keep your pregnant cat well.

Also Check: Lovecraft’s Cat Names

Is It Ok For My Cat To Be Fat

Some cats are naturally larger and heavier than others. For example, some cats are physically bigger and taller than other cats. However, it is not healthy for cats to be overweight or obese. If you are confused about whether your cat is fat or not, then talking to your vet about this issue can help clear things up.

Pregnant Cat: What To Expect When Youre Expecting Kittens

We all know how necessary it is to get your cat or dog spayed or neutered, right? But what to do with a cat whos already pregnant? The first time I found a preggo street kitty, my instinct was to take her to the shelter. I knew of a great no-kill place that I thought would be perfect for her, as I was unable to care for her at the time. Years now down the road, Ive come to find out that surrendering a pregnant animal will result in the termination of the pregnancy. Sigh. But dont worry! If you find yourself the caretaker of a pregnant cat, there are many ways you can help.

Don’t Miss: Is Umbrella Plant Toxic To Cats

Cats And Pregnant Women: How To Stay Safe

If youve ever been told that cats and pregnant women do not mix, rest assured that the person who told you this wasnt entirely correct. While its true that you need to put some safety measures in place, theres no reason to get rid of your cats when pregnant. In addition to being unnecessary, rehoming a beloved pet due to pregnancy would be upsetting for everyone involved.

How To Feed A Pregnant Or Nursing Cat

This article was co-authored by Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA. Deanne Pawlisch is a Certified Veterinary Technician, who does corporate training for veterinary practices and has taught at the NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant Program at the Harper College in Illinois and in 2011 was elected to the board of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation. Deanne has been a Board Member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation in San Antonio, Texas since 2011. She holds a BS in Anthropology from Loyola University and an MA in Anthropology from Northern Illinois University. This article has been viewed 48,441 times.

If your female cat is pregnant, or if she has recently given birth and is now nursing her kittens, youll need to provide the cat with food that nourishes her and her kittens both before and after theyre born. Your cat will need a rich diet while the kittens are developing and growing, both to nourish the kittens and to keep herself healthy. Lactation is a demanding process on a cats body, so youll need to provide her with high-calorie food while shes nursing her litter as well.

You May Like: Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Dry Adult Cat Food

When To See A Vet About Your Cats Weight

There are several reasons why some cat owners may need to see a cat about their cats weight. If your cat is experiencing sudden weight gain or weight loss without any known cause, then you should take them to the vet immediately. This is because numerous medical conditions that require veterinary attention can cause these symptoms in cats. In addition to this, you should take your cat to the vet if they cannot seem to lose weight or if you are concerned about your cats weight.

How Do I Get My Fat Cat To Lose Weight

Like us humans, the best way to get most cats to lose weight is to increase their exercise and decrease the number of calories that they are eating every day. Increasing the amount of time you spend playing with your cat will increase the amount of time they spend exercising.

When it comes to decreasing the number of calories your cat is eating, portion control and feeding your cat in set meals can help manage their food intake. For some cats eating weight management, cat food can help as well.

You May Like: Train Kitten Not To Bite

What Type Of Food Do I Need To Look For

You need to buy high-quality food that is either designed for kittens, or for the developmental stage of kittens and their mum. Suitable products will say that they have passed trials for the feeding/lactation of cats, or all life stages.

Kitten food will give her higher protein and energy levels, which is essential for her to survive herself, and to grow her kittens. Kitten food is always higher in calories, fat, and protein when compared to adult food.

High-quality foods will be approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials , and the labeling will say that it has been AAFCO approved. So, always look for this seal of approval. Anything without this label is not suitable for your pregnant cat.

Do not feed her budget store food, even if this is what you feed her usually. Her pregnancy and developmental stage is the most critical time in both her life and her kittens lives. And this will set her babies up for a healthy body and lifestyle.

Be sure to slowly switch her to her new higher quality food to avoid stomach upset and stress. Do this according to package instructions, and then all you need to do is make sure that you have enough food in stock for your cat and her hungry soon-to-be kittens.

How Much Should I Feed A Cat During Nursing

Bearing in mind that mum will be her kittens sole source of food for their first eight weeks, its as important to maintain a high quality diet during nursing as it is to provide nutrition for pregnant cats. To keep up her strength through this time, she will eat up to as much as four times her pre-pregnancy diet!

To help her nurse happy and healthy kittens, keep feeding mum kitten formula until her litter has weaned. The higher calorie content and added nutrients will keep her energy levels up, which is just what she needs when looking after a mischievous litter!

While nursing, keep her portion sizes the same but increase the amount of meals you give her. You can up her fluid intake by adding a little water to her food this may also help the kittens to take an interest in solid food, as its easier to eat when moistened.

Mums milk production will gradually come to a stop about 6-8 weeks after giving birth. At that point, you can slowly start to decrease her food intake until shes back to her normal pre-pregnancy portions. As you did at the beginning of her pregnancy, start to reintroduce adult food slowly over a period of 7-10 days.

If you have any concerns about your cats weight loss or gain, use our body conditioning tool for more information. Your vet will also be able to offer advice on your cats post-pregnancy nutrition.

Read Also: Beginner Realistic Cat Drawing

Keep The Nest Area Warm

Kittens are unable to regulate their own body temperature until they are 3 to 4 weeks old. So for the first four weeks of their lives, you should provide a warm, clean box or bedding for the mother and kittens to share.

Use a heating pad below the nesting box or a heating lamp above it to keep the kittens warm. But make sure there are accessible unheated areas, as kittens will need to be able to move away from the heat source if they become too warm.

The warm area should be about 97°F.

What To Look For In Food For Pregnant Cats

Protein is one of the most vital nutrients for pregnant cats, but not all protein is made equal. Make sure it comes from animal sources, such as chicken, turkey, or fish, and that one of these is the first listed ingredient. Kitten food is typically higher in these protein sources but also higher in overall calories.

Calcium is another vital nutrient for pregnant cats, as they need the added bone and teeth support. Pregnancy can quickly deplete minerals in your cats body. This is important not only for the mother but also for the growing and developing kittens.

Essential omega fatty acids are crucial, and these usually come from fish or fish oils. These are good not only for a healthy coat and skin but also for the healthy development overall of the kittens. Immune support is also important in pregnant cats, so be sure to check for immune-boosting fruits and veggies and antioxidants like blueberries or cranberries.

Read Also: How To Train Your Kitten To Do Tricks

What Should I Feed My Pregnant Or Nursing Cat

It is extremely important to feed your pregnant or nursing cat a food that provides the increased nutrition she needs. We recommend feeding Hills® Science Diet® Kitten Food formulas as soon as you discover your cat is pregnant. These formulas are rich in essential nutrients and support development of the kittens during pregnancy. Its always best to talk to your veterinarian about a food recommendation for your pregnant or nursing cat.

Best Cat Food For Pregnant Cats

Growing kittens is physically demanding work for your cat. The fundamental dietary difference between a pregnant cat and one who isnt pregnant is that the pregnant cat needs more. More protein, more calories. More nutrition.

If your cat is pregnant, you are probably concerned about keeping her healthy throughout her pregnancy, while protecting her kittens, as well.

This doesnt necessarily mean that you need to give her a food formulated for pregnant catsinstead, she needs a nutritionally balanced, extra-nourishing food to fuel the process of growing multiple tiny cats inside of her body.

Check out the lists below to see the foods that we recommend for your pregnant cat and why!

Recommended Reading: Is Blue Wilderness Good Cat Food

What To Do When Your Cat Goes Into Labor

Your cat is domesticated, so she may not have all of the instincts of a wild cat however, most cats require no intervention at all while giving birth. In fact, your cat may purposely seek out solitude when she goes into labor. Most cats would prefer to be left alone, and they definitely dont want to be pet or touched while they are giving birth. Its best to give your pregnant cat as much privacy as possible while also leaving yourself the ability to monitor the birthing process for any signs of issues or distress.

Dont be surprised if your cat decides to give birth in a location other than the nest you have prepared for mom and her kittens. If this occurs, dont be afraid to move the kittens to the box you prepared after they are born. Its perfectly fine to pick up and handle newborn kittens carefully touching them will not cause your cat to abandon her kittens or injure them.

Your Cat Is Eating Foods That Have Too Many Calories

Sometimes it is not how much your cat is eating that is causing them to gain weight, but rather it is what they are eating. A diet that is too calorically dense will easily lead to cats putting on some extra pounds. The average 8 to 12-pound tabby cat should be eating about 260 calories per day. Of course, if you are unsure about your cats diet, then you should speak to your vet. Some cats need more or fewer calories, and a few may even need a special diet to stay at their ideal weight.

Read Also: How Fast Should A Cat’s Heart Rate Be

Feeding A Pregnant Cat

If a catâs diet needs to be changed to accommodate the nutritional needs of her pregnancy, it is best to slowly change her food over 7-10 days. This will minimize any digestive upset and additional stress, helping the cat adapt to the new taste or texture of the food more readily.

Ideally, a cat should be fed small meals more frequently during her pregnancy. This is especially important later in the pregnancy, when the growing kittens take up more space in the catâs abdomen, leaving less space for larger meals that will be more difficult to digest quickly. If the cat has trouble eating, leaving more food available can permit the cat to âsnackâ as needed, but the overall food intake should still be monitored closely.

Unless a veterinarian recommends it, it is not necessary to add vitamin or mineral supplements to a pregnant catâs diet. The enhanced kitten formula food will be adequate for the motherâs nutritional needs, and extra supplements could cause pregnancy complications. Calcium supplements, for example, can lead to eclampsia after the kittens are born, which can dramatically affect the mother catâs behavior and how well she is able to care for her litter. If a cat does have known dietary trouble or special nutritional needs before the pregnancy, however, it is best to consult a veterinarian to determine if supplements or other special foods may be necessary.