Feeding the pregnant cat

When taking in a pet at home, one of the main tasks as a guardian is to provide the animals with an adequate diet that enables them to enjoy a good quality of life.

However, food is not a given rule but must adapt to the different stages of your pet's life, since each of them has specific nutritional needs.

The weight of the cat during pregnancy

To address this issue, we assume the ideal situation, which is a reproduction desired by the legal guardian, for which the kittens will receive a home and adequate care.

It is very important that responsibility in raising your pets takes on their full meaning, as the numbers for leaving the animals are critical and unexpected breeding can help make them worse.

In this case, you should also consider the cat's weight before pregnancy, as we will see later. During pregnancy and after delivery, the cat has an increased need for nutrients and the best way to ensure this. That her body has sufficient fat reserves for pregnancy and lactation means that the cat has a normal weight before pregnancy, which increases the percentage of Balances body fat more easily. Therefore, both overweight and underweight situations must be treated before the cat becomes pregnant.

What are a cat's nutritional needs during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the cat's organism must have enough energy to ensure good fetal development in kittens, but it must also increase its fat reserves to prepare for breastfeeding.

In contrast to pregnancy in bitches, the cat hardly keeps almost 25% of the body fat that is necessary for milk production. Therefore, food for pregnant cats must guarantee this fat gain.

The future cat needs an additional energy supply (calories), which must be increased mainly by animal proteins, but it also needs an additional supply of calcium, an important mineral for the development of fetuses...

How can you meet the nutritional needs of a pregnant cat?

The best way to provide your cat with all the nutrients she needs during pregnancy is to offer her kitty kibble, as this type of food contains a high energy value and very important nutrients for development. Obviously, the transition to this type of diet must be gradual to avoid indigestion.

Kitten food is used not only to adequately feed the cat during pregnancy but also after birth during the weaning period, as kittens instinctively eat nibbles and start feeding more easily when they need them.

How much food does a pregnant cat need?

A pregnant cat has to be fed according to the ad-limited method, which means that it must always have snacks available and eat the desired amount without restriction.

This form of feeding allows the cat to gain enough fat during pregnancy, but at the end of the pregnancy phase, you will notice that the cat's appetite decreases. You do not need to worry about this as this is normal and is due to the size of the uterus that is pressing against the stomach cavity.

Finally, we recommend that you bring the cat to the vet regularly during pregnancy for regular checkups and to monitor the condition of the cat and kittens.