Congratulations on your cat's pregnancy! This is an exciting time, but it's important to remember that your cat will need extra care, comfort, and affection during this period. Here are some tips to ensure the mother and her kittens stay happy and healthy throughout the pregnancy.
Transitioning To Kitten Food
To ensure your cat remains strong during pregnancy, she will need extra protein and energy. While standard adult cat food is suitable for everyday feeding, it lacks the nutrients for a pregnant cat. We recommend transitioning her to kitten food from starting her pregnancy until after her kittens are weaned.
Feeding her kitten formula also benefits her growing kittens. It ensures they receive high-quality milk and assists in their weaning process, as they will mimic their mother and sample the food she eats. Consider trying one of these recommended formulas.
Boosting Food Consumption
Pregnancy is a time of increased hunger for your cat, and her food portions may double by the end of her term. You should notice a gradual increase in her body weight as her appetite grows. It is typical for her weight to rise by approximately 40-50% during pregnancy. If you observe a decrease in her appetite or weight loss, consult your vet. Your cat is expected to shed this extra weight during the 3-4 week nursing period.
Ensuring Access To Water
Providing your cat access to fresh water is equally important as increasing her food intake, especially if she is eating dry food. Staying well-hydrated is crucial for her health during pregnancy.
Consider placing a few water bowls in the areas of your home where she spends most of her time to ensure she can easily access water whenever she needs it.
Feeding your cat smaller, more frequent daily meals will help maintain her energy levels. You can also leave dry food available for her to snack on throughout the day, aligning with your daily routine.
Introduce the new kitten formula gradually by mixing it with her current food over 7-10 days, slowly increasing the amount of kitten food until the transition is complete. This slow change will help prevent any digestive issues.
If your cat has a sensitive stomach or on a special diet for health reasons, consult your vet before changing her feeding routine.
Taking Care Of Your Pregnant Cat
Providing Affection
As pregnancy hormones take effect, your cat may become more affectionate and seek extra cuddles. While love and affection are important, be mindful of how you handle her as her body changes. It's safe to pet your pregnant cat, but avoid touching her tummy as it will be sensitive and could cause discomfort or harm to her unborn kittens. When picking her up, gently scoop her from her bottom rather than lifting her by her stomach. As her pregnancy progresses, avoid rough activities to help her stay calm and stress-free.
Vaccinations
Ideally, your cat should be up-to-date on all vaccinations before breeding. Healthy mothers pass immunity to their kittens through milk, so ensuring their antibody levels are optimal is beneficial. Your veterinarian will perfoem a blood test to check these levels and determine if vaccinations are necessary. If your cat is already pregnant and vaccinations are due, consult your vet to confirm which vaccines are safe during pregnancy. If she isn't vaccinated, don't worry; consult your vet with any concerns.
Parasite Control
Worms can be transmitted from mother to kitten, so continue her worming treatment throughout pregnancy. Maintain her flea treatment as well, consulting with your vet to ensure any medication used is safe for her and the kittens.
Monitoring For Complications
Watch for signs of oral disease, such as redness, swollen gums, or bad breath. These can be painful and affect your cat's appetite and weight. If any signs of complications arise, seek veterinary advice.
Miscarriage
If your cat miscarries, she likely won't be distressed, and it may go unnoticed unless it occurs later in the term. If a miscarriage happens late in pregnancy, take her to the vet for a check-up to prevent infection.
Caesarean Section
Although rare, some cats may require a Caesarean section during labor, especially if they have a history of pelvic trauma or belong to breeds with large heads or bodies, like Persians. If your cat is in labor and pushing for over an hour without delivering kittens, contact your vet immediately.
Eclampsia
While cats are less prone to eclampsia (low calcium) than dogs, watch for signs such as twitching, nervousness, and agitation. If these symptoms appear, seek veterinary care promptly to prevent seizures.
Keep your cat indoors in the final two weeks of pregnancy to ensure she doesn't deliver outside. Prepare a 'nest' using a cardboard box filled with clean sheets, bedding, or towels. The box should be spacious and tall enough to accommodate the mother and her kittens comfortably. Keep the nest in a warm area at room temperature.
If your cat chooses a different location to give birth, moving the kittens to the prepared nest is okay. Handling the kittens won't cause the mother to abandon or harm them. If needed, move them again for comfort, ensuring the new area is warm, especially if the mother isn't present. Use a microwavable beanie bag instead of a hot water bottle to avoid potential damage from the kittens' teeth or claws.
