What should a pregnant cat eat

Pregnant cats should eat high-protein feed

Pregnancy takes a lot of energy for future moms, cats included, so during all that time you are pregnant you will need an extra supply of energy, protein and calcium so that the puppies can develop as well as possible so that, once they leave their mother's body, they can continue to grow without having to face unnecessary risks.

If you and your furry are waiting for kittens, this article interests you. Discover what should a pregnant cat eat.

Pregnant cats need special care

A cat's pregnancy lasts about 65 days, during which 1 to 10 young (sometimes more) will grow in her uterus. Your body undergoes several changes, such as the widening of the uterus which in turn causes the ribs to rise a bit, the size of your abdomen increases, your breasts enlarge and your mammary glands will begin to produce milk when the moment approaches. of childbirth. So that everything goes smoothly, the cat has to satisfy her appetite, not only in order to cover your daily activity, but also so that your body can face the pregnancy without setbacks.

To do this, one of the things you will need the most is to increase the amount of body fat in your body. In this way, you can have a reserve with which to feed the little ones. Then, What should you eat?

Ideally, eat high quality kitten food, without by-products or cereals of any kind, since they contain all the proteins and minerals that you will need during this stage. You must always leave the feeding trough full, because during pregnancy you will go through several phases regarding your appetite and it will be much easier and more practical for everyone to always have food at your disposal.

Once it has already given birth, you have to keep giving him this I think so you can feed the little ones. In this way, in addition, when the kittens begin to be weaned, they will follow the mother to the feeder every time she goes to eat, so they will imitate her.

Another alternative is to give Yum diet for cats or natural food bought directly from butchers (boneless chicken wings, organ meats, boneless fish). If you opt for the latter, remember to boil the viscera and fish to avoid problems. Thus, both the mother cat and her offspring will remain in good health.

How much do you have to feed a pregnant cat

Pregnant cats should eat adequate feed for them

What your pregnant cat eats will gradually increase from the time she stands up and becomes pregnant. At the end of the pregnancy you will eat 50% more than normal in it. Feeding a pregnant cat is easy. They eat and when they are satisfied they simply stop because they have had enough. They don't overfeed, they only eat what they need.

What is important is that the cat always has food at her disposal, so that she does not find herself lacking food when she needs it. You can choose foods that your cat likes, such as wet foods, although these have fewer calories than dry foods. You can combine both types of foods to meet their nutritional needs.

What your cat can never lack is fresh water for hydration, especially if she usually eats dry food. If your house is large, do not put the water only in one area of ​​the house, put it in several places so that it has access whenever it needs to hydrate.

Do it gradually

You have to transition to the new diet gradually so that your cat gets used to her new diet. To do this, you can spend about 10 days gradually adding the new formula until you change it completely. This will allow your cat to eat well with a gradual and healthy change for her and her kittens.

Ideally, eat small meals a lot throughout the day. It is recommended, as we have mentioned above, that your cat has food and water available at all times. Kittens begin to develop in the ninth week of pregnancy, so it will be from then on when it is more noticeable that your cat is fed more.

You will notice that the weight of your cat increases as she eats more, she needs to store fat and then breastfeed her kittens. This weight gain is completely normal and you should lose the excess weight during your 3-4 week breastfeeding period.

Don't worry if your cat loses a bit of appetite late in pregnancy. This is normal and indicates that delivery will not be long in coming. The cat begins to notice the discomfort of the upcoming delivery and that is why she will eat less. You will only have to make sure that he does not lack food at any time, even if you notice that he eats less.

Nutrition in pregnant cats is essential in all stages of pregnancy and after delivery. Even if if you notice that he is losing weight or is not eating anything at all or is also not drinking water then you will need to call your vet for advice on what to do taking into account the individual characteristics of your cat.

How to feed your cat during lactation

Cat waiting for kittens

Producing milk is an exceptionally demanding task. Food intake usually doubles, but can even quadruple. You could eat more than even during pregnancy, and that's okay. The more kittens that have to be fed, the more food the mother cat must eat to be able to cope with the nutritional needs of her little ones.

You should feed your cat several times during the day or allow free access to food, as well as ensure that fresh water is always available. Dry food should be moistened to increase food and water intake, and to encourage kittens to start nibbling on solid food. Although you can also opt for the combination of wet and dry food, as you did during the cat's pregnancy.


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