What to feed a cat that has given birth to kittens

Along with increased care for kittens, do not forget about the kittens. They should not go hungry, so the owner will have to take over their feeding.

What and how many times a day to feed a nursing cat: diet after delivery

The health of pets largely depends on the organization of proper nutrition. Special requirements for food, if a new addition is expected, or the birth has already taken place. That is why there are so many questions about what to feed a nursing cat, how to choose a diet and what you need to know about the peculiarities of the animal's condition during this period. In order to properly organize the process, it is better to consult a veterinarian in advance or follow the general rules and wishes, which are shared by experts involved in breeding pets.

For the offspring to be viable and to meet the requirements of the breed, there are many conditions to be met, and one of them is a proper balanced diet. Pregnancy is a special challenge for any animal, changing habits, tastes and behavior.

The average gestation period for cubs is 65 days, but in other cases, it can be as long as 61 to 72 days. The expectant mother has no special needs during this time, although changes in diet take place.

During the two-thirds of pregnancy, body weight may be gained, all focused on the usual gain of fat, it is necessary for the body to prepare for the emergence of offspring. Later on, the weight gained as a result will be directly related to the growth of her calves. When carrying a pet, she needs extra protein, more calories, they will help her support the development of the fetus, in addition, the expectant mother herself gets the energy she needs for childbirth and subsequently the care of kittens.

In the other case of fluffy representatives, who receive less than necessary or their nutrition is inadequate, they may have fewer cubs with underweight or have certain health problems.

A couple of days before giving birth, the tail-haired one will start looking for a quiet place that will seem the safest to her. You can prepare a cardboard box or basket for her, placing it in a remote place of the house.

Feeding and norms

In outdoor females of tailed animals, labor can occur on the 55th day. The longest stage in Siamese, up to 75 days, and a balanced diet is necessary for the litter to develop normally. Also, the time of incubation depends on weight, breed, general condition of the body. First-born pups start labor earlier and this should be taken into account when determining the feeding rate. Animals that are overweight may have problems during the birth of their babies, so overfeeding is undesirable. Portions will undoubtedly be increased, but within reasonable limits, focusing on the well-being and weight gain of the pet.

Up to 3 weeks goes fetal attachment to the walls of the uterus, and after the shells are formed: aqueous, vascular and urinary. The placenta is formed, the laying of internal organs and the size of the fetus reaches 1 cm.

It is not necessarily the case that your pet will begin to refuse food or absorb it in huge quantities – such things are individual and occur differently in each representative of the tails. By week 3, you may experience toxicity, especially in the mornings, but this may last for 2-3 days.

Babies at this time reach 4-6 cm and may be covered with fur. At this stage it is possible to determine the number of individuals.

There may be a high appetite and it is better to weigh the animal to determine the new feeding rate.

The third period is very important and the owner should take great care to control nutrition. A certain amount of weight is gained for normal labor, but not too much.

The most difficult time is 7-9 weeks, when the kittens are already formed, reaching a weight of 100 grams and a length of 8 cm. It is recommended to give food more often, about 4-6 times a day.

Nutrition before delivery

If the mating takes place under human control, the correct diet is thought out already at this stage. The health of future kittens depends on how nutritious the food of the pet was. Cats, left to themselves, walk in the yard, so it is impossible to control the process of conception. The owners of such pets know about the pregnancy by the rounded flanks.

It happens in the second half of pregnancy, so it is necessary to intensify the diet on the fact of detection. The cat needs a supplemental vitamin diet enriched with calcium and proteins. It is recommended to show the cat to the veterinarian, he will assess the state of health and prescribe the necessary vitamins.

If there is a cat in the house that walks on its own outside, it is better to worry about the issue of kittens in advance. Regularly looking for a home for the babies is not a pleasant thing to do. Veterinarians recommend spaying cats before the first heat. This will avoid the hassle of childbirth and multiple offspring. Pets usually make their owners happy with 6-8 kids, and they do it with enviable regularity.

Improperly designed menu can lead to delays in the development of babies:

• lack of minerals will definitely affect the structure of bones, babies can suffer from rickets;
• An imbalance of salt metabolism provokes problems with teeth;
• Avitaminosis causes malformations;
• If the amino acids and proteins in the cat's body are insufficient, the pregnancy can end in miscarriage.

It is very important to monitor the nutrition of the expectant mother in 1 month after fertilization. During this period, there is an active process of formation of internal organs and systems of embryos.

Feeding and norms by trimester

When drawing up the diet, you should take into account the weight of the pet, its age and features of the physique:

1. In the first trimester, the cat begins to eat intensively, she constantly lacks the usual portion. This is a natural process, so the total amount of food is increased. Within 14 days of conception, the daily ration is increased by about 10%. If the cat has eaten 2 meals a day before, the number of feedings is increased to 4-5 times.
2. In the second trimester, the total amount of food is increased by 50%.
3. In the third trimester, the cat eats much less than at the beginning of pregnancy. Therefore, the portion can be reduced or divided into 6-7 times. 7 days before the expected date of birth of the babies return to the standard feeding 2-3 times a day, the rate of food is also reduced.

Cat's health during lactation

Pregnancy, subsequent delivery, and then feeding the offspring – all this is a huge load on the body of the mother cat.

And stress is often fraught with stress and exacerbations of chronic diseases, reduced immunity and inflammatory processes.

This is interesting! Among the most common diseases during lactation is mastitis.

This inflammation of the breast arises from a small wound or fissure, in which a pathogenic bacterium enters. Mastitis can provoke stagnant milk when the cat has few kittens and the milk remains unclaimed.

Simple measures serve to prevent mastitis: good hygiene, caring care, good nutrition and regular check-ups. If you notice pain in the breast area, redness, and the gland itself has become dense and hot, you should immediately contact the veterinarian to prevent further development of the disease.

What to feed a cat after giving birth: important and useful products and general recommendations

During pregnancy, a cat needs an increased and balanced diet. What to feed a cat after giving birth? There are nuances here, because the nursing mother needs to adjust the diet, but it should not be changed drastically. Let's understand how to feed a pet during pregnancy and after delivery.

Optimally, the diet of a pregnant cat should be adjusted by trimester, and this is possible if the mating was planned. In the first half of pregnancy, visual changes are unnoticeable. Only by the second month, the abdomen of the pet is noticeably rounded.

In the body, significant changes begin to occur in the first week of pregnancy. The mother's body is constantly producing blood and giving off nutrients and trace elements. Nature is very clever, If a cat is not able to carry her offspring, she miscarries. If a cat has carried her kittens to half term, a miscarriage is possible only in a critical situation. More often than not, a poorly nourished cat sacrifices her health so that the kittens will form properly and gain weight.

Nutrition during pregnancy

Feeding a pregnant cat straight food is considered preferable. If you choose dry food, make sure that its quality meets the needs of the animal. Cheap products from the economy segment do not contain enough protein, vitamins and micronutrients. For a lactating cat, choose food from the "For Pregnant and Lactating" series from the premium class and above. Even if you buy a very good food, you need to Monitor your cat's condition and weight. All animals are individual, which means that food manufacturers cannot take into account the full range of needs.

A natural diet is made up of many factors and pregnancy is only one of them. It is important to consider age, weight, breed, temperament and individual differences. For example, a Scottish lop-eared cat and a British cat need to be heavily fed from the first trimester of pregnancy. These breeds have an increased need for calcium. Calcium, however, is absorbed in complex with magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. Simply put, If you give your cat pure calcium, it won't do any good. – You need to adjust the entire diet.

Feeding a lactating cat

About a day before labor, the cat refuses to eat. If you see signs of impending labor and the cat asks for food, she should be given something light, such as live yogurt or minced meat whipped in a blender with broth. It is not necessary to feed a cat in labor and immediately afterwards! However, it is a good idea provide plenty of warm drinking water. As soon as the kittens appear, the body switches to another, important mission: producing colostrum.

During the birthing process, the cat is very tired and needs time to recover. The old-fashioned way to give birth is to give warm, sweet tea and milk. Many cats are happy to drink slightly salted water, since dehydration and labor are inseparable concepts. If you are preparing for the birth of a pet, it is better to buy several sachets of Rehydron and offer the cat a warm solution.

When the cat recovers its strength, it will show interest in food. The daily rate of food should not decrease, feed the cat in portions. Usually lactating cats themselves eat a little, but often.

For the first 3-5 days after delivery, the cat's diet is reduced to:

If your cat has not been drinking milk, but has begun to take an interest in it, it is worth introducing it into the diet. Start with a few teaspoons, as the sudden introduction of milk can provoke diarrhea. If diarrhea does occur, whole milk should be diluted 50/50 with water or replaced with fermented milk products. Another option is to buy special milk powder in pet stores.

After giving birth, especially during the first days of nursing kittens, the cat's need for calcium increases dramatically. Lack of trace elements can lead to a deadly condition – eclampsia. In addition to products containing calcium, it is desirable to give your pet special complexes of trace elements designed specifically for lactating cats.

The nutrition of a nursing cat after childbirth and during the lactation period, should be balanced and rich. What does this mean? It is not necessary to introduce special changes to the prenatal diet. It will be useful to increase the amount of fiber intake (prevention of constipation, diarrhea). Quail and chicken eggs can be given in boiled form several times a week.

Not enough milk – what to do?

You can tell if kittens are not getting enough milk by their behavior. Hungry kittens are constantly squeaking, looking for the mother's nipple. If the owner has any doubts, weighing the offspring daily will help. In the first weeks of life, kittens gain an average of 10 grams.

What to do if the fears are confirmed and there is not enough milk? First take care of the cat. There can be many reasons for a lack of milk: stress, complications after childbirth, illness, not enough food. Provide a comfortable and safe place for the family of cats, constant access to food and water. Place bowls close to the cat: in the first days after giving birth the cat might be afraid to move away from its offspring.

Along with increased care for the kitty, do not forget about the kittens. They should not go hungry, so the owner will have to take over their feeding.

How to Introduce Nutrition

Kittens begin to show interest in food by three weeks of age. If the mother is around, she will take her offspring to the bowl herself and set an example, and the kittens will try to imitate her. But what if the cat abandoned the kittens?

Kittens will not begin to eat independently right away: learning to nibble without a mother's example is difficult for him. Therefore, introduce the feeding on a finger or a spoon. It should be liquid food, for example:

Make sure that there are no additives or spices in the complement. Once the kitten is used to complementary foods, introduce boiled egg yolks to the menu. It is best mashed and added to the porridge.

Fluid in the cat's diet after childbirth

During and after childbirth, the body loses a lot of fluid. It is important in the first postpartum weeks to ensure that there is clean water near where the mother and her kittens live at all times. The bowls should always be full.

Lactation or milk formation is an ongoing process. Therefore, the amount of fluid in the body should always be sufficient. In advance you should think of a diet for the mother-to-be. Various broths can be used as an independent dish, or as a dilution for dry food and other foods. This way the dish will be full of both essential elements and liquid.

Dairy products will also help maintain the balance of water in the body, which will also help to maintain calcium, which is also needed during lactation.

Any liquid food will improve lactation

Basically, any liquid food will improve lactation. Water and liquid foods should be low-fat and slightly warm.

How to organize your feeding schedule

The period when milk production begins and continues in the body is the most energy-consuming. Feed the animal often, sometimes increasing the number of times up to seven times. The frequency and amount of portions depends on the individual structure, body and lifestyle of the animal. Of course, the number of kittens also affects this point. The more kittens, the more milk will be needed from the mother. Correct calculations can be done by veterinarians.

Food restrictions are best avoided. Animals themselves understand how much food the body requires. Usually the amount of food consumed increases several times. On the package of food you can find instructions on the amount of food, but still for each individual calculation will be individual.

When feeding natural food, the ration should be divided into small, frequent portions, so that the food does not have time to spoil. Mineral, vitamin and trace element complexes prescribed by the veterinarian should also be added.

Dry food usually contains everything you need, but it is always better to consult a professional.

Vitamins, minerals and trace elements for a lactating cat

Specialty foods are usually designed to meet all the needs of a lactating animal, this should be stated on the package. In the case of a natural diet, no matter how well the owner feeds the pet, you cannot do without adding nutrients, micro- and macronutrients, and vitamins. In both cases, a veterinarian should make the decision to prescribe vitamins for the proper development of the babies and their mother's health.

Not in all cases a balanced, complete diet ensures that there are no problems with the amount of milk. Kittens may remain hungry and let it be known by regular crying. The owner is faced with the question of what to feed the cat in order to get more milk.

What to give a cat to increase lactation?

To begin with, it is necessary to eliminate the lack of liquids: water, broths, milk. Access to fresh water should be constant, close to where the animal sleeps. The cat should be provided with comfortable conditions, the absence of stress in this already difficult period for her.

Lack of milk can be caused by vitamin and nutrient deficiencies. The prescription of such medications takes place under the supervision of a specialist. You can try folk methods to increase the amount of milk. Melissa, cumin, dill, oregano, anise, dandelion, raspberry leaves in the form of infusions are offered for drinking or added to food. Pureed boiled pumpkin and carrots are well-known remedies for good lactation. You can sprout oat grains yourself or buy them in a pet store, sprouts increase immunity, have a restorative effect on the body. Added to the food finely chopped nettle leaves increase the volume of milk produced. A good method is to infuse walnuts on milk, at the rate of 10 walnuts for half a liter of boiled milk, and then let it evaporate until the consistency of yogurt. The cat will love such a healthy treat.

Expert advice (conclusion)

So, the diet of a cat nursing should be caloric and balanced for the full development and growth of the babies, with plenty of fluids. A good diet increases the amount of milk. The menu of a nursing cat should contain only natural and fresh products.

It is necessary with patience and understanding to select an individual feeding scheme, suitable for your pet in such an important period for her. If anything raises concerns, it is better not to delay and contact qualified professionals, because it may be a question of life and death of more than one living creature.

Proper feeding of the cat in the first days after labor

Immediately after giving birth, a cat may refuse to eat. If your cat does not eat well in the first few hours after labor, this condition may be considered normal. You should be cautious if the cat refuses water. Try offering your cat a warm drink, low-fat broth or fermented dairy products. If you give water, it is advisable to add some salt and sugar to it.

Preparing for the birth of a cat, it is better to buy a solution of Rehydration Drinker, which retains fluid in the body. It quickly and well helps in case of severe dehydration.

If after giving birth the cat refuses to drink and has a fever, see the doctor immediately – these are the first signs of eclampsia.

The diet of a nursing cat provides for its special needs. It is not recommended to feed a young mother simple food, especially dry economy class. If your pet is used to industrial food, it is better to consult a veterinarian for advice and selection of the optimal product. Many manufacturers produce special food for lactating cats, which increases lactation and contains an increased amount of protein and vitamins.

With a natural diet, for the first three days, it is recommended to give the cat only soft food. Meat products should preferably be boiled, shredded and diluted with broth. Dairy products should be a priority for the entire period while the cat is feeding kittens with colostrum.

By the third day, most cats are able to eat normally and familiar foods are introduced into their diet. Changes should be made in the frequency of feeding. In the last stages of pregnancy, the cat is physically unable to eat enough food at once and it should be switched to fractional feeding. Immediately after giving birth the cat should also be fed in small portions, but often, 3-5 times a day.

How to prevent exhaustion in a lactating cat

After giving birth, you may notice that your cat has lost a lot of weight. This process is inevitable, as the body gradually adapts to the cost, of producing milk. If at this point the cat's diet is not intensified, the condition will develop into exhaustion. There are several methods to prevent lactating cat exhaustion, but each must be adapted to the individual situation.

One common cause of litter exhaustion in lactating cats is a multiple litter. In nature, cats give birth to 2-3 kittens each, a pet can give birth to 5-8 babies or even more. If your cat has more than six kittens, you need to think ahead about how to feed them.

Usually, the last kitten or pair of kittens, in a multiple litter, is a little behind in growth. This is because the stronger kittens are pushing the babies away from their mother's teats. You have two choices: supplement the kittens or make sure that each of them eats well. The only way to check kittens' development is to weigh them regularly. Timely supplementation will not only help to avoid stunting of the kittens, but also keep the cat from becoming malnourished.

Kittens can be supplemented with goat's milk, special milk formula without sugar or additives, or powdered cat milk substitute. Until recently, kittens were often supplemented with cow's milk diluted with water. Today, this method is considered incorrect because cow's milk often leads to dysbacteriosis and kitten death.

Goat's milk is considered too fatty, but if there are no alternatives, it can be diluted in half with boiled water and used to supplement the babies. Cats should also be given milk unless they suffer from lactose intolerance. If the cat has a milk sugar intolerance, whole milk should be replaced with fermented milk products.

Infant formula intended to be fed to infants does not quite meet the needs of kittens, but is a better alternative than goat or cow's milk. When buying the formula, make sure that it is intended for children from birth, does not contain sugar or sugar substitutes, does not contain additives (berries, cereals, etc.). As a temporary addition to the diet, infant formula can also be offered to a nursing cat. The undoubted advantage of infant formula is that it contains a sufficient amount of protein and carbohydrates.

Reviews of cat food for nursing cats

Bozita did not work for us. The mother herself ate it willingly, but the kittens from this food began to have severe diarrhea.

dellaros

https://foren.germany.ru/arch/animals/f/26404016.html

I fed my cat Royal Canin Queen 34 at the end of her pregnancy and throughout the whole lactation period. The father of the kittens also lived with us and also ate these dried foods. The food was eaten without any problems – I didn't have to talk him into it. In two months the kittens had grown a belly, cheeks and a fur coat.

Selenia_6

https://irecommend.ru/content/kot-vyros-kak-na-drozhzhakh-koshka-mama-pokhudela

I got a cat from the street and she turned out to be pregnant (and gave birth to kittens a week and a half ago). The vet advised me to feed her the food Pro Plan Junior. Pack of 400 grams of my new pet sufficed for a week at most. Food presented in the form of flattened small balls. The taste of the cat immediately liked – the food she just jumped on. I could not pour it into a bowl standing on the floor, I always had to take her in one hand and pour the food with the other, because otherwise the cat's head was in the bag. Both the cat's stools and her kittens are always fine, her fur is much smoother, everything is great with her health.

Pauline_Krukowski

https://irecommend.ru/content/khoroshii-korm-po-krainei-mere-menya-poka-ustraivaet

What products help to solve the problem of inadequate lactation in cats

If the cat is producing very little milk, you can stimulate milk production by adjusting the diet. Start giving your cat more fluids (lactation problems are often caused by dehydration).

A bowl with water or milk should be near the nest, because sometimes the female prefers to suffer from thirst than leave her cubs

Try to give the cat plenty of sour milk products – nonfat kefir, sour cream, yoghurt without additives. Useful carrots and boiled pumpkin, which can be given to the cat together with meat broth. Walnuts have a milk-acting effect, you just need to grind 2-3 kernels in a blender to powder and add them to warm milk. If the cat refuses to drink such medicine, you can pour it into its mouth with a syringe without a needle. Lactation is also stimulated by the shells of quail eggs and oat sprouts. As with nuts, they must first be crushed and then mixed with milk.

Proper nutrition after giving birth will allow the cat to recover quickly (gain weight, regain activity). It is also important to follow the diet because the quantity and quality of the female milk depends on the food. During the first day you should feed the cat broth and sour milk products, then you can add meat or use ready made feeds intended for lactating animals.